[Management of groin hernias]

The main symptom of a groin hernia is a bulge in the groin. The clinical examination is often sufficient for the diagnosis. Imaging is only necessary when the diagnosis is uncertain, where ultrasound is the first choice, but one must also consider differential diagnoses in these cases. Children, women, and men with symptoms should be referred for elective surgery while watchful waiting can be used in asymptomatic men. However, if a hernia is incarcerated and the clinical examination suggests possible strangulation, the patient should immediately be referred to a hospital, as argued in this review.