Hernia Repair Surgery - What Should You Know?

What is a hernia?

The presence of weakness or hole in a muscle, which permits tissues and organs to bulge through the defect, is termed as a hernia. Hernias can range from harmless or barely noticeable to life-threatening, depending on the organs involved and size of a hernia. In such cases, a surgeon to counter the presence of a hernia performs a hernia repair surgery. Otherwise, it might cause substantial organ damage.

How many types of hernias are there?

A hernia can occur in any part of your body. However, it is most commonly found in the groin and stomach region. Apart from that, listed below are the different types of a hernia-

• An incisional hernia- Occurs around the incision site, due to surgery
• An umbilical hernia- Occurs close to the belly button or umbilicus
• Congenital Diaphragmatic hernia (CDH)- Occurs during birth, that might cause the internal organs to move into the chest cavity
• An inguinal hernia- Occurs in the groin region, similar to a femoral hernia
• An epigastric hernia- Occurs between the chest and belly button
• A femoral hernia- Occurs in the groin region, like an inguinal hernia
• A hiatal hernia- A hiatal hernia can cause the stomach to move into the chest cavity

A hernia can cause many problems for you, not just physically but also from other aspects as well. If you do not go for treatment at the right time, it can interfere with your day-to-day activities due to the serious pain associated with it.

What are the factors or signs that call for a hernia repair surgery?

Hernias can sometimes take a long time to notice. Many people notice the presence of a hernia when they participate in any kind of physically taxing or strenuous work. The following symptoms will help you understand whether you need a hernia repair surgery-

• Discomfort or pain that intervenes with your daily activities
• Large-sized hernias
• If your hernia is gradually growing in size and getting worse, especially in the groin region
• When your hernia starts putting a lot of pressure on your nerves, which lead to numbness and irritation
• Long-term discomfort caused due to a hernia
• Vomiting and a piercing stomach pain

The process of performing a hernia repair surgery

Hernia surgery is done in the following two ways-

• Laparoscopic surgery - During this procedure, the surgeon will inflate your stomach with harmless gas, to have a clear look inside. After this, he will make small incisions near a hernia and put a thin tube with a minute camera. This will give him get a clear view inside your stomach and allow him to repair a hernia with a mesh.

• Open surgery - In this procedure, the surgeon will make a large incision and open up your skin. After this, he will slowly push a hernia back inside, tie it and then remove it. Once this is done, the incised site will be closed up with stitches. In case the hernia is considerably large, the surgeon will use some extra mesh, to keep a hernia in its place.

Medical advancements have made it possible and quite easy to perform hernia repair surgeries, with minimal pain. Hence, if you notice even a faint sign of a hernia, make sure that you consult a doctor and get the right treatment.