Inguinal hernia in a rural population of Haryana: A surgical public health interface

Hernia is one of the most common surgical procedures carried out by all general surgeons. A retrospective study was done at our hospital to analyse the incidence of abdominal wall hernias from patients coming from a rural population in India. Further, a scrutiny was also done to elucidate the causative factors especially the effect of environmental pollution. Majority of the patients seen in this study were more than 55 years of age. The male to female ratio was 7.33:1. Out a total 200 cases, inguinal hernias were present in about 73% cases. Ventral hernias were present in about 23% of cases. Femoral hernia were present in 1% of cases and the incidence of groin hernia was almost the same as observed globally despite differences in educational status and life style; Ventral hernia and direct hernia incidence was much more common in our study when compared to Western studies. This may be because of their variation in the life style, occupation and impact of environmental pollution. A number of operating brick kilns were also present and functional in the study area. However, this high incidence of ventral and direct hernia was consistent with the findings of other studies of rural Haryana. Keywords: Direct Inguinal hernia, Ventral hernia, Occupation. Environmental Pollution, Brick Kilns