Advances in the diagnosis and treatment of occult inguinal hernia / 国际外科学杂志

ABSTRACT

With the advent of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair, occult inguinal hernias not reported by physical examination are frequently found during surgery. Occult inguinal hernia is an early inguinal hernia, which is easy to be ignored because its clinical symptoms are not obvious. Currently, the best diagnostic method for occult inguinal hernia is laparoscopy, Noninvasive tests such as ultrasound and MRI should be performed in patients with first symptoms. With the increase of age, abdominal wall strength decrease, and the proportion of occult inguinal hernia requiring treatment will also increase, doctors need to choose a reasonable treatment plan according to the actual situation of patients. The key to the diagnosis and treatment of occult inguinal hernia lies in making clear its definition and establishing uniform diagnostic criteria. Through reasonable and accurate preoperative examination combined with laparoscopic techniques and the adjustment of surgical approaches, occultic defects can be found and repaired. Individualized treatment for different populations can avoid future symptoms and reduce additional surgical risks.