Hernia Surgery & Hernias
A hernia occurs when an organ or tissue pushes through a weak spot in the muscle or tissue that holds it in place. The most common sites for hernias are the groin, abdomen near the belly button, and the upper part of the abdominal wall where it meets the chest. While not life-threatening immediately, hernias can cause discomfort and require medical attention.
Types of Hernia
The type of hernia depends on the location where the bulge occurs. Here are some common types:
- Inguinal hernia: This is the most frequent type, occurring in the groin area. It’s more common in men than women.
- Umbilical hernia: This bulge appears near the belly button
- Incisional hernia: This develops at the site of a previous surgical incision.
Causes and Risk Factors:
Several factors can contribute to developing a hernia:
- Increased pressure in the abdomen: This can be caused by strenuous activity, heavy lifting, chronic coughing, constipation, or pregnancy.
- Muscle weakness: Aging, prior surgeries, or certain genetic conditions can weaken the muscles in the abdominal wall.
Symptoms of a Hernia
The most common symptom of a hernia is a bulge in the affected area. This bulge may be visible only when you cough, strain, or stand up. Other symptoms can include:
- Discomfort in the area of the bulge
- A burning or aching sensation
- Weakness or heaviness in the bulge
- Difficulty with bowel movements (in some cases)
Treatment Options
Most hernias aren’t serious, but they can be. If left untreated, the hernia may increase in size over time. Contents such as small or large bowel, may get stuck outside of the weak spot and can’t go back in. The swelling will become increasingly painful as the blood supply gets cut off.
- Conservative measures – this means living with the hernia, making lifestyle changes and monitoring the size and symptoms of the hernia. It usually involves weight loss, avoiding strain and heavy lifting and treating chronic disease, e.g. chronic cough and chronic constipation. On one hand, patients who have little or no discomfort from their hernias in general have low rate of complications, such that surgery is not immediately necessary. However, it is still important to see a surgeon to discuss the best treatment options for you as the natural progression of hernias is to become larger over time.
- Hernia Surgery – hernia can be repaired using an open or laparoscopic approach, with or without the usage of mesh. The different types of mesh may include: synthetic, biologic or biosynthetic meshes. Its usually performed under general anaesthetic (GA).
