A hernia is a rather common condition that can affect people of all ages, including children, the elderly, men, and women. At any given moment in their lives, roughly 5% of the population is thought to be affected by hernia.

When the interior layers of the abdominal wall weaken, they protrude or rip, causing a hernia. The weakening area's inner lining pushes through to produce a balloon-like sac, which might lead a loop of intestine or abdominal tissue to slip into the sac, causing pain and other potentially significant health issues.

Recurrent hernia refers to the failure of a hernia repair. The bulge reappears at or around the previous hernia's location. Recurrent hernias make subsequent repair much more difficult. If left untreated, severe problems such as an incarcerated hernia, digestive obstruction, or a lack of blood supply to the intestines (strangulated hernia) might occur.