Summary

• Protrusion of abdominal or pelvic contents, through a dilated internal ring or attenuated inguinal floor in the inguinal canal.
• Presents with visible or easily palpable swelling in the groin, often with discomfort during strenuous exercise or heavy lifting.
• Complications are rare, but include incarceration, bowel obstruction, and strangulation.
• Diagnosis is usually clinical; imaging may be helpful where there is doubt about diagnosis, but also identifies many clinically insignificant apparent hernias.
• Surgical operation remains the mainstay of therapy.