Podcasts · Behind The Knife: The Surgery Podcast

EPA Playbook: Inguinal Hernia

5 Jul 2026 · 22 min · Episode 144 · Bonus

In this episode of EPA Playbook, Drs. Jason Bingham, Emma Burke, and Agnes Premkumar discuss the evaluation and management of inguinal hernias through a case-based approach that reinforces key EPA concepts for surgical trainees. We specifically highlight the importance of a thorough history and physical exam, emphasize risk stratification, and indications for surgery versus watchful waiting. We briefly review a few postoperative considerations as well.

***FREE EPA COURSE: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/epa-playbook Simply create an account on behindtheknife.org or our app and you the course will automatically show up in your Library.

For additional information on EPAs, visit the American Board of Surgery EPA webpage: https://www.absurgery.org/get-certified/epas/.

Cited studies: Miserez M, et al. "Update with level 1 studies of the European Hernia Society guidelines on the treatment of inguinal hernia in adult patients." Hernia. 2014;18(2):151-163. PubMed ID: 24504225 Carrick MA, et al. "Smoking and anaesthesia." BJA Educ. 2019;19(1):1-6. PubMed ID: 33456860 Amid PK, et al. "Local anesthesia for inguinal hernia repair step-by-step procedure." Ann Surg. 1994;220(6):735-737. PubMed ID: 7979603 Huy TC, et al. "Reoperation for chronic postoperative inguinal pain." JAMA Surg. 2025;160(9):984-991. PubMed ID: 39855588

Links in the notes 7

• https://behindtheknife.org/premium/epa-playbook
• https://behindtheknife.org/
• https://www.absurgery.org/get-certified/epas/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24504225/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33456860/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7979603/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39855588/

The episode on the publisher’s site ↗ (opens in a new tab)