Post-Operative Outcomes of Groin Hernia Repairs in Women: A Contemporary Review

Abdominal wall hernias are common among men and women, often requiring surgical techniques to be managed safely and effectively. Abdominal wall hernias are typically classified as primary or secondary. Secondary hernias are most often related to prior surgical incisions. Primary hernias develop on their own and are not related to previous operations. Common primary hernias include inguinal, femoral, umbilical, and epigastric hernias, among others, with inguinal hernias being the most common. A narrative review was conducted to synthesize the current literature describing the incidence, epidemiology, surgical techniques, and post-operative outcomes of groin hernias in women using PubMed and Embase databases. Studies have demonstrated that women have an increased rate of recurrence of groin hernias, higher post-operative chronic pain, specifically when undergoing open repair. The discrepancies in diagnostic tools, outcomes, and treatment further highlight the need for studies surrounding women's health and research in relation to surgical interventions to help inform clinicians' management of groin hernias in the female population.