Limb dominance and the laterality of adult inguinal hernia: a multicenter exploratory observational study

Inguinal hernia is associated with various risk factors. However, the potential role of asymmetrical limb use remains unclear. We hypothesized that asymmetrical use of the body might contribute to asymmetric intra-abdominal pressure, potentially influencing the laterality of inguinal hernia occurrence. Between July 2023 and February 2025, we retrospectively reviewed 186 patients undergoing inguinal hernia surgery at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon and Cheonan Hospitals. Patients with congenital hernias were excluded. Participants completed a self-reported questionnaire on hand and foot dominance and task-specific limb preference. We evaluated the association between hand or foot dominance and the earliest hernia side. Participants had a mean age of 65.9 years, and 94.1% were male. At enrollment, left-sided hernias accounted for 35.5% and right-sided 48.9%. For the earliest diagnosis, left-sided hernias were 40.9% and right-sided 54.3%. Most patients were right-handed (88.7%) and right-footed (71.5%). Significant associations were observed between hand dominance and task-specific hand preference ( p = 0.026 to p < 0.001), as well as between foot dominance and task-specific foot preference ( p < 0.001). However, no statistically significant association was found between hand or foot dominance and the earliest hernia side (hand dominance: OR 1.89, 95% CI 0.41–8.72, p = 0.416; foot dominance: OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.15–1.36, p = 0.159). Subgroup analyses according to sex, hernia type, and age also revealed no significant associations. This exploratory study examined the relationship between hand or foot dominance and the laterality of inguinal hernia occurrence. No statistically significant association was detected between limb dominance and the earliest hernia side. However, the limited sample size does not exclude the possibility of a clinically meaningful association. Further studies with larger and more diverse populations, incorporating objective assessments of physical activity and biomechanical modeling, are needed to clarify this relationship.