How do you assess an inguinal hernia?

Your doctor will check for a bulge in the groin area. Because standing and coughing can make a hernia more prominent, you’ll likely be asked to stand and cough or strain. If the diagnosis isn’t readily apparent, your doctor might order an imaging test, such as an abdominal ultrasound, CT scan or MRI.

How do you assess for a hernia?

Examination involves feeling for a bulge or impulse while the patient coughs or strains. Although imaging is rarely warranted, ultrasonography or magnetic resonance imaging can help diagnose a hernia in an athlete without a palpable impulse or bulge on physical examination.

What does an inguinal hernia feel like to touch?

For example, in the case of an inguinal hernia, you may notice a lump on either side of your pubic bone where your groin and thigh meet. You may find that the lump “disappears” when you’re lying down. You’re more likely to feel your hernia through touch when you’re standing up, bending down, or coughing.

How would you describe a hernia on a physical exam?

With the fingers placed over the femoral region, the external inguinal ring, and the internal ring, have the patient cough. A palpable bulge or impulse located in any one of these areas may indicate a hernia. The examiner should then return to the sitting position.

How do you palpate inguinal canal?

IV. Exam: Technique for Inguinal Canal palpation in men

Place fingertip at most dependent portion of Scrotum.
Invaginate scrotal wall to External Inguinal Ring.
Gently insert finger into canal along spermatic cord. Move finger laterally and cephalad. Patient coughs, strains or performs Valsalva Maneuver.

What is a fat filled inguinal hernia?

Background: Fatty Inguinal Hernia [FIH] is inguinal defect filled with Extraperitoneal fat and no sac. Laparoscopic repair of an inguinal hernia requires the presence of a SAC, either direct or indirect inguinal hernia. Many surgeons aborted the laparoscopic surgery in absence of the sac.

Why inguinal hernia is common on right side?

Indirect hernias are more common on the right side because of delayed descent of the right testicle. Hernias are present on the right side in 60% of patients, on the left in 30%, and bilaterally in 10% of patients.

How do you differentiate a direct and indirect inguinal hernia?

A direct inguinal hernia protrudes directly forwards when the patient stands up whereas the indirect hernia shows a more oblique route downwards towards the scrotum. A hernia which goes into the scrotum is always indirect.

What does a hernia feel like on palpation?

Usually, the bulge is soft enough that you can gently push, or knead, it back into your abdomen (reducible), and it is often not there when you wake up in the morning. Most hernias are not painful. However, sometimes the area around your hernia may be tender and you may feel some sharp twinges or a pulling sensation.