What is Hernia?
A hernia is the bulging of a tissue or an organ, pushing through a weakened section of your abdominal wall.
Hernias can be a result of birth defects in your abdominal wall, advancing age and activities that lead to an increase in pressure in the abdomen.
The most common symptom is a lump in the affected area. You might also experience pain in and around the lump, even when you are lifting objects/bending.
Surgical treatment is recommended based on your complaints, physical examination, type, and the severity of your hernia.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
Having a lump or bulge in the affected region is the striking symptom of a hernia. Other symptoms depend upon the size and location of the hernia. They are as follows:
If you have an inguinal hernia, you may feel a lump in the region where the groin and upper thigh meet.
You feel pain and discomfort that is worse at the end of the day or after standing for long periods.
Pain while bending, coughing, or lifting objects.
A feeling of weakness or pressure in the groin.
Discomfort or pain during urination or bowel movements.
You may not be able to swallow food comfortably, and you may feel a burning sensation in the chest region in the case of a hiatal hernia.
The lump may go away when you press on it or lie down. It may be painful, especially when you cough, bend over, or lift something heavy.
Types of hernias include:
Inguinal hernia.
Femoral hernia.
Umbilical hernia.
Incisional hernia.
Epigastric hernia.
Hiatal(Lateral) hernia.
How is a hernia treated?
A hernia is usually treated with surgery. There are three main types of hernia surgery; open hernia repair, laparoscopic hernia repair and robotic hernia repair
What is open hernia repair surgery?
Open hernia repair is where an incision, or cut, is made in the groin. The hernia “sac” containing the bulging intestine is identified. The surgeon then pushes the hernia back into the abdomen and strengthens the abdominal wall with stitches or synthetic mesh. Most patients will be able to go home a few hours after surgery, and feel fine within a few days. Strenuous activity and exercise are restricted for four to six weeks after the surgery.
What is laparoscopic (minimally invasive) hernia repair surgery?
Laparoscopic (minimally invasive) hernia repair uses a laparoscope, a thin, telescope-like instrument that is inserted through a small incision at the umbilicus (belly button). This procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia, so before the surgery, you will have an evaluation of your general state of health, including a history, physical exam (and possibly lab work) and an electrocardiogram (EKG).
You will not feel pain during this surgery. The laparoscope is connected to a tiny video camera, smaller than a dime, that projects an "inside view" of your body onto television screens in the operating room.
The abdomen is inflated with a harmless gas (carbon dioxide), which creates space to allow your doctor to view your internal structures. The peritoneum (the inner lining of the abdomen) is cut to expose the weakness in the abdominal wall. Mesh is placed on the inside to cover the defects in the abdominal wall and strengthen the tissue.
After the procedure is completed, the small abdominal incisions are closed with a stitch or two or with surgical tape. Within a few months, the incisions are barely visible.
Benefits of laparoscopic hernia surgery include three tiny scars rather than one larger incision, less pain after surgery, a quicker return to work and a shorter recovery time (days instead of weeks).
What is robotic hernia repair surgery?
Robotic hernia repair, like laparoscopic surgery, uses a laparoscope and is performed in the same manner (small incisions, a tiny camera, inflation of the abdomen, projecting the inside of the abdomen onto television screens).
Robotic surgery differs from laparoscopic surgery in that the surgeon is seated at a console in the operating room, and handles the surgical instruments from the console. While robotic surgery can be used for some smaller hernias, or weak areas, it can now also be used to reconstruct the abdominal wall.
One of the biggest differences between laparoscopic surgery and robotic surgery is that the use of the robot provides excellent three-dimensional images of the inside of the abdomen (vs. the two-dimensional images of laparoscopic surgery). Robotic surgery also allows the surgeon to easily use stitches to sew tissue and meshes inside the abdomen.
Other benefits of robotic hernia surgery are that the patient has tiny scars rather than one large incision scar, and there may be less pain after this surgery compared to open surgery.
You must be logged in to post a comment.