Anthropology of Inguinal Hernia

Abstract

Introduction: Inguinal hernias are among the most common surgical problems worldwide. Hernias, defined as the protrusion of a whole or part of an organ through the containing wall, along with difficult childbirth and problematic bowel evacuation are thought to be the price we pay for adopting the bipedal gait from previously crawling on all fours. The aim of this study was to analyse the anthropological characteristics of patients with inguinal hernias, so as to determine the influence of behavior, evolutionary development and flawed physiology of their pathogenesis, and thereby identify potential domains for risk reduction. Material and Methods: This was a non-interventional, retrospective study. 100 consecutive patients electively operated for inguinal hernias were included and their clinical profiles studied. The details of their demography and presentation were tabulated and analyzed. Results: Inguinal hernia had an overwhelmingly male preponderance, with 99% of patients being male. The mean age of patients at presentation was 56.5±13.27 years. In 93% of patients the condition was unilateral, where as it was bilateral in 7%. Right sided hernia was more common with 49% of cases, left side was involved in 44%. 49% were found to be direct hernias, 36% were indirect and 8% were pantaloons hernias, with the remainder being bilateral hernias. Right sided direct hernias were the most commonly encountered, accounting for 28% of the cases, followed by left indirect hernias which were seen in 24%. Conclusions: The epidemiological profile of inguinal hernias in the study population translate to statistically significant findings with respect to demographic features and risk factors for inguinal hernias, well elucidating the anthropology of the condition. This study showed statistically significant association between inguinal hernia and high BMI, older age and positive family history, rather than the conventional suggestion that increased intra-abdominal pressure is the major risk factor. Thus, the role of anthropology and physiography in the development of inguinal hernias cannot be overlooked.

Pain Management of Amazon Indigenous Peoples: A Community-Based Study

“…This can be explained both by the nature of the activities they carry out and by the gender predisposition. Inguinal hernias are predominantly male 19 and the prevalence of pain before surgery is high, 20 but it is difficult to estimate its etiology due to the lack of diagnosis for these individuals.…”