Inguinal Hernias in a Tertiary Hospital in South South Nigeria

Background: Inguinal hernia repair is the most common operation performed by general surgeons worldwide. Early presentation and elective repair are necessary to eliminate the morbidity and mortality associated with this condition. The diagnosis is based on clinical signs and symptoms.

This study seeks to determine the pattern of adult inguinal hernias and type of repair offered at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH).

Materials and Methods: This is a 4-year retrospective study of all adult patients with inguinal hernias who were admitted into the surgical wards of UPTH. Relevant data were retrieved and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).

Results: A total of 276 patients were seen. There were 180 males and 96 females giving a male to female ratio of 1.9:1. Majority of the patients were in 31-40 years age group. The hernias were commoner on the right and inguinoscrotal hernias more commonly seen than bubonocele. and funicular types.

All the patients had open herniorrhaphy. Nylon darning was done in 181 (65.6%) and this was the commonest form of posterior wall repair.

Thirty two (11.6%) patients had complications with scrotal haematoma being the commonest accounting for 6.5% of patients.

Six patients died giving a mortality of 2.2%.

Conclusion: Inguinal hernia still remains a common disease and source of morbidity and mortality in our locality. Males were more commonly affected and Nylon darning was the method of choice in the majority of cases operated. It is recommended that early presentation and elective herniorrhaphy be encouraged in order to eliminate the morbidity and mortality associated with this condition.