If inguinal hernia surgery is not performed, the hernia may enlarge and cause increasing pain. Untreated hernias can lead to serious complications such as intestinal obstruction or strangulation, where blood flow to the tissue is compromised and requires emergency intervention.
Delayed treatment of inguinal hernias carries risks of progressive bulging, discomfort, and limitations in mobility. Daily activities such as walking, lifting, or bending may become increasingly difficult. Conservative management rarely prevents worsening, highlighting the importance of timely surgery.
Strangulated hernias are life-threatening. When blood supply to the trapped intestine is cut off, tissue necrosis, infection, and sepsis can occur rapidly. Early recognition of sudden pain, nausea, and vomiting is critical, as emergency surgery may be the only safe solution.
Quality of life may deteriorate significantly without repair. Persistent pain, cosmetic concerns, and fear of complications can affect physical and psychological health. Surgical correction offers a permanent solution with low recurrence rates when performed by experienced specialists.
İçerik
What Risks Can Occur If Inguinal Hernia Surgery Is Not Performed?
One of the most significant risks of an untreated inguinal hernia is incarceration and strangulation of the tissue or bowel segment that enters the hernia sac. Just like a finger trapped in a door loses its blood supply, the trapped tissue’s blood flow is obstructed. This can result in a very dangerous situation, even leading to tissue death (necrosis). The strangulated part of the intestine may become inflamed, causing serious infections that can spread into the abdomen.
Another worrying issue is bowel obstruction. The part of the intestine that enters the hernia canal can reduce bowel passage and cause an obstruction. This condition, which presents with symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and inability to pass gas, can progress rapidly. Both situations require emergency surgery; any delay can result in life-threatening problems such as bowel perforation or peritonitis (inflammation of the abdominal lining).
Can an Inguinal Hernia Grow Larger If Not Operated On?
Inguinal hernias generally tend to grow over time. Imagine a weak wall: as more weight is placed on it, the crack widens. When a person coughs, lifts heavy objects, or strains due to constipation, intra-abdominal pressure increases, and the hernia sac is pushed out a bit more. Especially in men, this swelling can extend into the scrotum and become a much more prominent mass. As the hernia grows, surgery also becomes more difficult because adhesions can form around the tissue over time, complicating the repair. Furthermore, a larger hernia intensifies symptoms such as pain and restriction of movement.
What Happens If an Inguinal Hernia Causes Bowel Obstruction?
Some inguinal hernias—especially femoral hernias—are more prone to cause bowel obstruction. The loop of bowel entering the hernia sac can become trapped in a narrow channel, impairing both transit and blood flow. When this situation results in bowel obstruction, symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, vomiting, and inability to pass gas occur. You can think of it like a traffic jam: since the roads are blocked, the intestinal contents can’t move forward, increasing pain and nausea. If the blockage isn’t relieved, blood flow to the bowel tissue becomes impaired and a very serious process begins. In such a case, it is necessary to go to the hospital quickly and prepare for surgical intervention.
Is an Untreated Inguinal Hernia Painful?
The pain level of an inguinal hernia varies from person to person. Some people feel only mild discomfort or a vague pulling sensation at the beginning, while others experience unbearable pain. If the hernia grows or the internal tissue becomes trapped, the pain worsens. Actions that increase pressure, such as standing for long periods or lifting heavy objects, make the pain more noticeable. Sometimes the pain isn’t limited to the groin; it can radiate to the abdomen or lower back. Especially when strangulation is a risk, pain is a warning sign. Even if untreated inguinal hernias show no symptoms, this never means the person is safe.
How Does an Untreated Inguinal Hernia Affect Daily Life?
Daily life can be significantly affected by the discomfort caused by a hernia, depending on the person’s physical effort and lifestyle. For example, if you work at a job that requires standing for long periods, swelling and pressure in the groin can gradually increase. Pain when bending, climbing stairs, or exercising restricts movement. Many people start moving less due to fear or pain; sometimes, even work productivity can be lost. Psychologically, this situation can also be draining, because along with the constant feeling of discomfort, the anxiety of “Will it get worse?” lowers quality of life.
What Are the Complication Risks of Untreated Inguinal Hernia?
Although strangulation and bowel obstruction are the most commonly mentioned complications, these are not the only risks. Inflammation or gangrene (tissue death) may develop in the part of the bowel trapped in the hernia sac. If not intervened in time, this infection can spread to the abdomen and cause serious complications. Also, the longer the hernia goes untreated, the more extensive future surgery and recovery time may become. In some cases, fluid accumulation in the abdominal area or hydrocele (fluid collection in the scrotum in men) can be seen. All these complications can increase hospital stay and surgical risks.
Can an Untreated Inguinal Hernia Cause Nausea or Vomiting?
Yes, when an inguinal hernia grows large enough to obstruct bowel passage, nausea and vomiting are among the most common complaints. The trapped loop of intestine disrupts the normal flow of the digestive system. Since food and gas cannot move forward, the stomach and intestines become distended, which can trigger severe nausea and vomiting. If strangulation is also present, vomiting and pain become even more severe, sometimes accompanied by fever and profound weakness. In such a case, seeking medical help without delay is life-saving. Prolonged vomiting can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and rapid deterioration of overall health.
What Are the Long-Term Effects of Not Having Inguinal Hernia Surgery?
If inguinal hernia is not treated, the problem is likely to worsen and become more complicated over time. As the opening in the abdominal wall enlarges, more tissue protrudes. This not only decreases daily comfort but also affects the duration, technique, and recovery period of future surgery. As you age, your body’s ability to recover decreases, so delays in treatment can result in a longer and more painful recovery. As the hernia progresses, the risk of the bowel becoming trapped increases, and if this occurs repeatedly, permanent damage can develop. Additionally, long-term, persistent pain or pulling sensations in the hernia area can have negative psychological effects as well.
Op. Dr. Ahmet Bekin was born in Istanbul in 1983. He graduated from the Faculty of Medicine at Kocaeli University in 2006 and completed his specialty training in the Department of General Surgery at Istanbul University Çapa Faculty of Medicine in 2011. After his specialization, he worked in the fields of hernia surgery, reflux surgery, obesity surgery, advanced laparoscopic surgery, and robotic surgery. In addition, he received training in endocrine surgery, oncological surgery, and minimally invasive surgery. He is currently accepting patients from Turkey as well as from countries such as Germany and France at his private clinic located in Istanbul.
