Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Classification of Inguinal Hernia

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Laparo-endoscopic Hernia Surgery

  • 1164 Accesses

Abstract

The results of hernia repair are related to the localization of the hernia orifice, the site of the fascial defect, and the overall collagen content of the fascia as well as the surrounding tissue. Therefore for evaluating hernia surgery, a precise classification of the hernias is indispensable. Furthermore, an unequivocal classification is important for the rational choice of treatments and for the analysis of scientific data. It also allows to compare the various treatments in clinical trials when hernias can be classified in an unequivocal manner (Campanelli, EHS Guidelines 2009 [1]). Current inguinal hernia classifications are numerous. All classification systems are based on a description of the relationship of the defect to the epigastric vessels. The simple classification of “direct” (medially to the vessels) and “indirect” (laterally) hernias dates back to Cooper in 1844 [2]. Hesselbach defined the inferior epigastric vessels as the reference point and used the term “external” and “internal” hernia [3].

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Simons MP, Aufenacker T, Bay-Nielsen M, Bouillot JL, Campanelli G, Conze J, de Lange D, Fortelny R, Heikkinen T, Kingsnorth A, Kukleta J, Morales-Conde S, Nordin P, Schumpelick V, Smedberg S, Smietanski M, Weber G, Miserez M. European Hernia Society guidelines on the treatment of inguinal hernia in adult patients. Hernia. 2009;13(4):343–403.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  2. Cooper A. Anatomy and surgical treatment of abdominal hernia. 1st American ed from 2 nd London ed. Philadelphia: Lea and Blanchard; 1844.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Marcy HO. The anatomy and surgical treatment of hernia. New York: Appleton and Co; 1892. p. 66.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Casten DF. Functional anatomy of the groin area as related to the classification and treatment of groin hernias. Original Research Article. Am J Surg. 1967;114:894–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Halverson K, McVay CB. Inguinal and femoral hernioplasty. Arch Surg. 1970;101:127–35.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Gilbert AI. An anatomic and functional classification for the diagnosis and treatment of inguinal hernia. Am J Surg. 1989;157:331–3.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Rutkow IM, Robbins AW. “Tension-free” inguinal herniorrhaphy: a preliminary report on the “mesh-plug” technique. Surgery. 1993;114:3–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Nyhus LM. Individualization of hernia repair: a new era. Surgery. 1993;114:1–2.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Schumpelick V, Treutner K-H, Arlt G. Inguinal hernia repair in adults. Lancet. 1994;344:375–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Schumpelick V, Treutner K-H, Arlt G. Klassifikation von Inguinalhernien. Chirurg. 1994;65:877–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Schumpelick V, Treutner K-H. Classification of inguinal hernia. In: Bendavid R, et al., editors. Abdominal wall hernias. New York: Springer; 2001. p. 128–32.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Director Department for General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Aachen, Pauwelstr. 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany

    Volker Schumpelick

  2. Falkensteiner Ufer 34, 22587, Hamburg, Germany

    Volker Schumpelick

Authors
  1. Volker Schumpelick
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Volker Schumpelick .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Em.Director of Surgical Department, Marienhospital Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany

    Reinhard Bittner

  2. Academic Teaching Hospital of Charitè Medical School, Vivantes Hospital, Department of Surgery and Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery, Berlin, Germany

    Ferdinand Köckerling

  3. Department of General Surgery, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, Nebraska, USA

    Robert J. Fitzgibbons, Jr.

  4. Louisiana State University School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group, Department of Surgery, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA

    Karl A. LeBlanc

  5. Norton Thoracic Institute, Dignity Health, Creighton University School of Medicine (Phoenix campus), Phoenix, Arizona, USA

    Sumeet K. Mittal

  6. Minimal Access, Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, Max Super Specialty Hospital Saket, New Delhi, India

    Pradeep Chowbey

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Schumpelick, V. (2018). Classification of Inguinal Hernia. In: Bittner, R., Köckerling, F., Fitzgibbons, Jr., R., LeBlanc, K., Mittal, S., Chowbey, P. (eds) Laparo-endoscopic Hernia Surgery. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-55493-7_3

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-55493-7_3

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-662-55491-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-662-55493-7

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation