Specialty >> Hernia
A hernia is a medical condition in which an internal organ or fat or tissue bulges out of the skin through a weak spot in the abdominal cavity. This weak spot can either be the natural opening of the body, such as groin and the belly button, or the site of any previous injury or surgical would.
The abdomen is the most common site for hernias to develop, however, they can outgrow in the chest, upper thigh and groin areas as well.. Failing to do so, however, can cause unwanted complications in the later life.
There are several types of hernia. However, the most common types as follows:
- Hiatal Hernia
- Inguinal Hernia
- Femoral Hernia
- Incisional Hernia
- Umbilical Hernia
- Epigastric Hernia
The symptoms of a possible hernia is the presence of a visible lump in the body. Often it becomes prominent while walking or climbing stairs and becomes less prominent and difficult to spot while lying down. Some other common symptoms for the same are-
- Discomfort or pain in the affected region, especially while couching or bending
- Feeling pressure, weakness or heaviness in the region
- Acid reflux, chest pain and difficulty swallowing, particularly in case of hiatal hernias.
Most of the hernias are carried out simply through physical examination. The change in its appearance while lying down, standing and coughing, usually is enough in case of hernias of abdomen and groin. However, in case of hiatal hernia, the doctor can recommend a barium x-ray and/or endoscopy.
Though any individual can develop a hernia, there are several factors which make certain individuals more susceptible to have a hernia. The risk factors associated with hernia are:
- Having a family history of hernia
- Having a previous operation, especially by open surgery
- Having a previous history of hernia
- Being obese or overweight
- Being pregnant
- Having a previous childbirth through
- Gaining significant weight in a short while
- Having a persistent chronic cough
- Having persistent constipation
- Being a chain smoker
- Engaging in heavy lifting
An unattended hernia is likely to attract several complications, namely
- Strangulation- A portion of the hernia gets tangled and cause bowel obstruction.
- Obstruction- The organ protruded out, does not receive proper blood circulation and thus, become deficit of oxygen. It might need to be surgically removed.
The surgery begins with making an incision near the site of the hernia. The size of the incision varies significantly on the surgery approach. The protruded hernia is then checked for any possible complication such as strangulation or incarceration. In case any of these are found, the procedure becomes a bit long as the affected part is then surgically removed and the rest is sewed back, before proceeding.
If not, the hernia is gently tucked back in the cavity, where it belonged. Then the incision is stitched back to close the wound. To mitigate the chance of its recurrence, the use of mesh is employed.
Importance of the mesh
Since, a chance of a hernia to recur in future is likely a possibility, the surgical mesh is often used to mitigate this chance. A surgical mesh is stitched either inside or outside the weak spot or surgical incision. The immune system of some patient may reject or react with the foreign mesh, and thus, special care be exercised.
Laparoscopic hernia repair
In the modern times, the use of laparoscopy enables the surgeon to repair the hernia repair with much ease and health benefits. Being the minimally invasive surgery, it repairs he hernia in a scarless, painless and bloodless approach. It is eventually substituting the traditional open hernia repair operation.
- Early recovery
- Less recurrence rate
- Less blood loss
- Cosmotic as there is no sutures or stiches
- Minimal pain
Gastro Laparoscopy
