An Observational Study to Assess the Correlation Between Inguinal Hernia and Intensity of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Due to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Background: An inguinal hernia (IH) is a protrusion of abdominal-cavity contents, such as intestines, through the inguinal canal. LUTS occurs due to mechanical obstruction of outflow or due to bladder hypo contractility. In elderly male both these causes can be present alone or simultaneously. Traditionally, the diagnostic evaluation of patients with Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) includes symptomatic evaluation. Aims & Objectives: To assess the correlation between BPH, Inguinal Hernia and the intensity of Lower urinary symptoms (LUTS) due to BPH. Methodology: A prospective observational study was conducted among 80 patients who had diagnosed inguinal Hernia with BPH and another 80 patients who had diagnosed inguinal Hernia without BPH came to Department of Surgery & urology, at Sri Ramakrishna Hospital, Coimbatore. Results: The majority cases were in age groups of 51-60 years and 61-70 years. Among Inguinal hernia with Lower urinary tract symptom patients, mean IPSS was significantly more than Inguinal hernia without Lower urinary tract symptom patients. In our present study among direct inguinal hernia group and indirect inguinal hernia group, there was no statistically significant difference between two groups in regards to type of inguinal hernia and IPSS score. Conclusion: On the basis of this study, it could be concluded that if patients with Inguinal Hernia (especially bilateral IH) had complaints of urinary symptoms related to BPH or other causes of Lower Urinary Tract Obstruction they must be evaluated for LUTS and BOO by USG-KUBP and uroflowmetry and relieve the obstruction before proceeding hernia management.