Is surgery always necessary for inguinal hernia?

Inguinal hernia is the most common type of external abdominal hernia and typically presents as a reducible mass in the inguinal region. Treatment of inguinal hernia does not always require surgery; conservative management is also an option. Conservative treatment is primarily indicated for infants under one year of age, as spontaneous resolution is highly unlikely in this age group.

In elderly male patients with severe comorbidities—such as significant cardiac, pulmonary, or cerebrovascular disease—that preclude safe surgical intervention, conservative management remains the only viable option. Surgical repair is generally recommended for patients aged one year and older. In pediatric patients, simple high ligation of the hernial sac is typically performed, whereas adults usually undergo tension-free hernia repair.