Study of Demographics, Clinical Profile and Risk Factors of Inguinal Hernia: A Prospective Observational Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital MIMS, Mandya

Introduction: Hernioplasty for inguinal hernia is the most commonly performed elective surgery draining significant healthcare resources. Aim of the study: This observational study was conducted at a tertiary care institute in MIMS Mandya to investigate the demographics, clinical profile, and risk factors of inguinal hernia. Methods and Materials; 55 individuals seeking correction for an inguinal hernia at the surgical outpatient department. All subjects gave their informed consent before the demographic information, medical history, and clinical assessment were documented. This was a prospective, single-center, observational study that was not randomised. Result: In our study, 22 patients (39%) were >50 years of age. 54 (97.27%) were males, and 1 (2.72%) were females. Male: Female ratio was 54:1. The preponderance of males was due to their involvement in more strenuous exercises and lifting weights and the anatomical differences between them. The main risk factor in the present study was lifting heavy weights 55%, followed by altered bowel habits 36.36% and respiratory disease (chronic obstructive airway disease). Smoking and diabetes were also associated as risk factors for the hernia. In this study, the most common side of hernia was on the right side, 63%, on the left, 33% and bilateral in 4% of patients. The indirect hernia was the most common type. Conclusion; An inguinal hernia is a surgical issue that frequently affects older men. Inguinal hernias on the right side are prevalent; the indirect variety occurs more frequently. Exercises involving heavy lifting and exertion were frequently identified as risk factors.