Bilateral giant inguinoscrotal Hernia: psychosocial issues and a new classification

• Published in: African health sciences 2013-01, Vol.13 (1), p.166-170
• Main Author: Akpo, EE
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Bilateral giant inguinoscrotal hernia, classification, quality of life; Health and Medicine; Hernia, Inguinal - classification; Hernia, Inguinal - psychology; Humans; Male; Medical disorders; Middle Aged; Nigeria; Original; Prospective Studies; Psychology; Quality of life; Quality of Life - psychology; Scrotum - pathology; Self Concept; Sexual Behavior - psychology; Sierra Leone; Social influences; Surveys and Questionnaires; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1680-6905; 1729-0503; 1680-6905
• DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v13i1.24

Background:Bilateral giant inguinoscrotal hernias pose challenging psychosocial problems to the patient. The engulfed phallus and hernia size are socially embarrassing and may make penetration during coitus increasingly difficult and uncomfortable. This paper presents a classification and the psychosocial aspects of bilateral giant inguinoscrotal hernias. Methods:A prospective study of patients with bilateral giant inguinoscrotal hernia in which the phallus was completely engulfed by the swelling, managed by this author between 2002 and 2011 in both urban and rural practice in Nigeria and Sierra Leone was reviewed and analyzed using a simple frequency distribution. Results:Eleven patients with bilateral giant inguinoscrotal hernias were reviewed. Age range 63-86 years. Mean age 73.73 ( ± 6.96SD) years. The reason for delayed presentation was financial constraint. Six patients (54.55%) presented due to continuous refusal of coitus by their partners. Sexual satisfaction was poor in all the patients (100.00%). All the patients (100.00%) had poor self-esteem and poor socialization habits as a result of continuous ridicule from peers and colleagues. Conclusion:To improve quality of life of the elderly, there is the need for early awareness campaigns and provision of improved access to free surgical health care services particularly in rural African communities.