Hernia Surgery

What is a Hernia?

A hernia occurs when the inside layers of the abdominal wall weaken then bulge or tear. The inner lining of the abdomen pushes through the weakened area to form a balloon-like sac. This, in turn, can cause a loop of intestine or abdominal tissue to slip into the sac, causing severe pain and other potentially serious health problems. The weakened abdominal wall can be present at birth or may develop later in life. The most common site is the groin, but hernias can also form in other areas, such as the navel. If the lump can be gently pushed back through the abdominal wall, it is known as a reducible hernia. If the lump resists manual pressure, it is a non-reducible hernia, which can mean serious complications.

What are the Symptoms of Hernias?

Most people with hernias have a common set of signs and symptoms. Some of the symptoms are as follows;

• An aching sensation on the abdomen or the groin that is more apparent when you are active, bending over or lifting things.

• An obvious swelling beneath the skin of the abdomen or groin that is visible while standing up.

• Most of the time the bulge can be pushed in or it goes back on its own when you lie down.

• If the hernia becomes extremely painful and hard then it may be incarcerated or trapped. This means that the fat or loop of intestine is now stuck in the hernia and is in danger of becoming gangrenous. This is referred to as strangulation. If you suspect that your hernia maybe incarcerated or trapped, then you should seek medical help immediately.

A hernia can occur anywhere in your abdomen (the part of your body between the chest and the hips). There are several types of hernia:

• Inguinal Hernia - It occurs when part of the bowel pushes through the abdomen into the groin (the area at the front of the body where your thighs meet your abdomen). It is more common in men than in women. In this, the intestine or the bladder protrudes through the abdominal wall or into the inguinal canal in the groin. About 80% of hernias are inguinal hernia.

• Femoral Hernia - It occurs when fatty tissues push through into the groin, at the top of the inner thigh and appear as a fixed lump. A femoral hernia occurs when the intestine enters the canal carrying the femoral artery into the upper thigh. Femoral hernias are most common in women, especially those who are pregnant or obese.

• Incisional Hernia - - It occurs when fatty tissue pushes through a surgical wound in the abdomen that has not fully healed. This type is most common in elderly or overweight people who are inactive after abdominal surgery.

• Umbilical Hernia -It occurs when fatty tissue pushes through the abdomen near the navel or belly button. it appears as a round lump of fat pushing the belly button outward. This is one of the most common hernias. Common in newborns, it also commonly afflicts obese women or those who have had many children.

• Hiatal Hernia - It occurs when part of your stomach pushes up into your chest by squeezing through an opening in the diaphragm.

• Epigastric Hernia - It occurs when fatty tissue pushes through your abdomen, between your navel and the lower part of your sternum (breastbone).

• Spigelian Hernia - It occurs when part of your bowel pushes through your abdomen at the side of your stomach muscle, below your navel.

• Muscle Hernia - It occurs when part of your muscle pushes through your abdomen and can also occur in the muscles in your leg, often as the result of a sports injury.

• Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair

• Laparoscopic Paraesophageal Hernia Repair

• Laparoscopic Ventral and Incisional Hernia Repair

• Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication for Hiatal Hernia/Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

• Laparoscopic Paraesophageal Hernia Repair

• Laparoscopic Paraesophageal Hernia Repair

• Herniorrhaphy and Hernioplasty

Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair uses an instrument called a laparoscope. Between two and four small incisions are made through the abdominal wall through which are passed the laparoscope (a thin telescope with a light on the end) and surgical instruments into the abdomen. The incisions are small, so the whole technique is often called keyhole surgery. (Conventional surgery is called open surgery.)

It is also often referred to as minimally invasive or minimal access surgery. The hernia is then viewed from inside the abdomen, from the other side of the abdominal wall. The abdominal cavity is inflated with carbon dioxide gas to give the surgeon space to work inside the patient and the actual operating is done remotely with long instruments. The hernia defect or hole is covered with mesh from within the abdomen and staples commonly fired through it into the muscle tissue in order to fix it as a patch.

• Some people may prefer laparoscopic hernia repair because it causes less pain and they are able to return to work more quickly than they would after open repair surgery.

• Repair of a recurrent hernia often is easier using laparoscopic techniques than using open surgery.

• It is possible to check for and repair a second hernia on the opposite side at the time of the operation.

• Because smaller incisions are used, laparoscopy may be more appealing for cosmetic reasons.