Inguinal Hernias in Women – A Case Series Decoding the Enigma

Inguinal hernias in women are relatively rare compared to men. All the more due to its varied presentations it is much more difcult to diagnose sometimes presenting only with pain. The aim of this study was to discuss the management of female inguinal hernias in adults. This was a retrospective study of adult females age>18 years who had undergone inguinal hernia repair over a 4-year period between 2019 to 2023. The age, presenting symptoms, side of the hernia, interval between symptom and presentation, interval between presentation and surgery, operative procedure performed, intra-operative nding/content of the hernia sac, post-operative complications, and duration of hospital stay and outcome of treatment were assessed. A total of 26 cases of inguinal hernia repairs were undertaken during the study period. Out of this number, 16 were taken as elective cases, 4 as emergency cases and 6 as semi-emergency cases. 13 cases had omentum as content, 10 as small bowel, 2 as ovary and one as Appendix. Hernioplasty was performed in 19 cases while Hernioraphy was done in 4 cases and a combined Herniorraphy with Hernioplasty in 3 cases. Surgical site infection was the most common post-operative complication. Inguinal hernias in females may not be as common as inguinal hernias in males, but they pose a signicant challenge both in diagnosis as well as in treatment. We require still more reporting and coordination to go further in understanding this complex entity