DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sjams.2026.v14i06.011

Pages: 938-940

Inguinal hernia is the most common type of abdominal wall hernia, representing a significant proportion of general surgical workload worldwide. It arises due to weakness of the abdominal wall, allowing protrusion of intra-abdominal contents through the inguinal canal. This narrative review summarizes current evidence on the epidemiology, classification, risk factors, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and management of inguinal hernia. Emphasis is placed on connective tissue alterations, evolving surgical techniques, and factors influencing recurrence and postoperative complications. Surgical repair, either open or laparoscopic, remains the definitive treatment, with mesh-based techniques demonstrating lower recurrence rates. Despite advances, chronic pain and recurrence remain key challenges.