Please Click Here For An Animation Of Ventral (Abdominal Wall) Hernia Surgery

Please Click Here For An Animation of Inguinal (Groin) or Sports Hernia Surgery

                                                                                                                                         
What is a Hernia?

A hernia is a tear in the lining of your abdominal wall.  Tissues inside the abdomen often bulge through the tear and can be felt under the skin.  This can happen in any part of the abdomen.

Hernias are most commonly found in the groin.  These are called inguinal hernias.  Athletes and people who perform heavy labor occasionally develop tears in the tissues of the groin that cause significant pain, although often without bulging, these are called sports hernias.  Hernias also occur commonly in the navel, these are called umbilical hernias.

A hernia that forms in a old surgical wound is called an incisional hernia.  A ventral hernia occurs in any part of the abdominal wall.

Click Here If You Would Like To See The Weird Al Music Video "Living With a Hernia"

Why Did You get a Hernia?

Hernias happen in all ages and in both men and women.  Adult hernias usually are the result of strain on the abdominal wall.  Factors that contribute to this include aging, genetic predisposition, heavy lifting, athletic activities, obesity, previous surgery, constipation, and chronic coughing.

Should You Have Surgery?

Hernias usually are repaired electively at your convenience.  Important points to consider in deciding whether or not to proceed with surgery are:

1.  The hernia will never improve or heal by itself.

2.  The hernia and the symptoms of pain will only get worse with time.

3.  As long as you have a hernia, there is a risk of strangulation that may require emergency care.

The greatest risk of undergoing hernia repair is that the hernia can come back.  Fortunately, with modern surgical techniques the chance of recurrence is very low. 

Hernia surgery can almost always be done as an outpatient procedure.  Activities and restrictions after surgery vary.  Most patients are restricted to a lifting limit of 15 pounds and to limited physical activity.  These limits can vary from 1 to 2 weeks for laparoscopic inguinal surgery, to 6 to 8 weeks for ventral and incisional hernias.  Patients recovering from very large ventral or incisional hernias may need to make a permanent life-style change and always avoid lifting and straining to reduce the chance of recurrence.  The specific limits for your surgery will be discussed with you by your surgeon.  Please call or ask if you are not sure of your limits.

Types of Procedures

Open Suture Repair - In this procedure an incision is made over the site of the hernia.  The protruding tissue is returned to the abdominal cavity.  Relaxing incisions may be needed to reduce tension and allow closure of the hernia. The hernia is closed with sutures, and occasionally mesh.

Tension Free Mesh Repair - In this procedure an incision is made over the site of the hernia.  The protruding tissue is returned to the abdominal cavity.  A piece of mesh is inserted to cover the area of the hernia, and is sewn into the abdominal wall.  This technique is often used for umbilical hernias and some ventral hernias.

Laparoscopic Repair - The Laparoscope is a thin camera which allows surgery inside of the abdomen.  The scope is inserted into the abdomen through a small incision.  Additional incisions are made for instruments needed to repair the hernia.  A patch of mesh material is then placed over the hernia and sutured or stapled into position.  This repair is very similar to the patch repair used to fix a flat car tire, with the patch placed on the inside of the tire.  This repair is often used for recurring hernias, bilateral groin hernias, sports hernias, and most ventral hernias.

Hernia Mesh - Mesh is commonly used to reinforce and fill the gaps left by hernias.  Mesh is made from a variety of synthetic and biologic materials.  New mesh products are entering the surgical world every year.  Many of the mesh products look like plastic window screen.  All of these products are well accepted by the body and provide a strong, safe repair.

The type of hernia repair, and the type of mesh that may be needed are selected for your specific needs.  Your surgeon will discuss this with you.

Symptoms of Hernias

1.  Bulges that can be seen or felt in the scrotum, groin or abdominal wall.

2.  A sensation of pressure or pain.

3.  A burning feeling that may be associated with a bulge.

A hernia is reducible if the bulging tissue can be pushed back into the abdomen.  If the hernia cannot be pushed back it is called incarcerated.

Occasionally an incarcerated hernia will get so tight that its blood supply is cut off and the tissue can begin to die.  The symptoms of this problem include;  rapidly worsening pain, a very tender bulge, and even nausea and vomiting.

This is called a strangulated hernia, and is a true emergency.  When strangulation occurs, the tissue can rapidly die and become infected.  Within hours this can lead to a life threatening problem that requires immediate surgery.

Please contact us immediately or go to the nearest emergency room if you think you have a strangulated hernia.

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