What is Hernia?

It is a weakened spot through which contents of the abdomen come out to lay just below the skin. Usually, there are layers of muscle and sheath covering the intestine. But when weakness occurs for one or the other reason discussed later in the article, then people develop hernia.

Types of Hernia

Incisional Hernia

This happens at the site of a previous surgery. This type of hernia is because of incomplete healing at the time of a previous surgery or as a result of some complication, such as infection, of the previous surgery. It has to be noted that 5–10 percent of all patients who had undergone surgery develop this. This is very rare after laparoscopic or keyhole surgery.

Umbilical and ParaumbilicalHernias

This happens at the site of a previous surgery. This type of hernia is because of incomplete healing at the time of a previous surgery or as a result of some complication, such as infection, of the previous surgery. It has to be noted that 5–10 percent of all patients who had undergone surgery develop this. This is very rare after laparoscopic or keyhole surgery.

Epigastric Hernia

These are hernias appearing in the midline above the umbilicus up to the chest bone.

Inguinal and Femoral Hernias

Inguinal hernias are the most common hernias. They are more common in men than in woman.

Femoral hernias appear in the groin below where the inguinal hernias appear. They are more common in elderly females.

Who gets Hernias?

People who have conditions that lead to increased abdominal pressure are at a greater risk of developing hernias. Some of the conditions are:
• Persistent Coughing
• Being Over Weight
• Lifting, Carrying or Pushing heavy Loads
• Straining on the Toilet

What are the Symptoms?

Most times, hernia are asymptomatic (no symptoms). People might just notice swelling. The swelling tends to get bigger while standing or doing work and disappear while sleeping. Some might feel a dragging/aching sensation. The swelling tends to get bigger with time.

Symptoms develop when there is a complication such as strangulation. This happens when the contents of the abdomen (intestine) come out and can't go back. There will be severe pain in the region and vomiting, along with hard irreducible swelling. The skin might get red. When this happens, you would need surgery within 24 hours to save the stuck intestine. Otherwise, the blood supply to the part of intestine outside the abdomen might get cut off and it might dye (gangrene, requiring resection of that part of the intestine.

How are Hernias Repaired?

Now a days, most of the hernias are repaired laparoscopically. This means you are in the hospital for only 24 hours. Each type of hernia repair is different and depends on many factors such as the site of the hernia, size of the defect, associated medical conditions, type of hernia, affordability of patients and skill of the surgeon.

In general, Laparoscopic hernia Treatment/Laparoscopic hernia surgery (Laparoscopic umbilical hernia/Paraumbilical hernia /Inguinal hernia /Epigastric hernia/Incisional hernia /Ventral hernia /Femoral hernia) treatment & surgery hernia repair is costlier as the mesh used needs the side in contact with the intestine to be covered with a special layer. This layer makes sure that the intestines do not stick to the mesh. Then, tackers (screws) are needed to fix the mesh. In addition, the cost of laparoscopic instruments tends to be more than that of instruments used in an open surgery.

Laparoscopic hernia Treatment/Laparoscopic hernia surgery (Laparoscopic umbilical hernia/Paraumbilical hernia /Inguinal hernia /Epigastric hernia/Incisional hernia /Ventral hernia /Femoral hernia) treatment & surgery repair has a clear advantage over open repair.

Laparoscopic hernia Treatment/Laparoscopic hernia surgery (Laparoscopic umbilical hernia/Paraumbilical hernia /Inguinal hernia /Epigastric hernia/Incisional hernia /Ventral hernia /Femoral hernia) treatment & surgery results in less pain, small scars, early return to work and resuming of daily activities.

Laparoscopic hernia Treatment/Laparoscopic hernia surgery (Laparoscopic umbilical hernia/Paraumbilical hernia /Inguinal hernia /Epigastric hernia/Incisional hernia /Ventral hernia /Femoral hernia) treatment & surgery repair is also associated with less recurrence.

Complications
It's based on history and clinical examination. Blood tests will reveal the presence of an infection (increased WBC and CRP). Ultrasound of abdomen might help to confirm the diagnosis, but a negative ultrasound scan does not rule out the possibility of appendicitis. Ultrasound is more important in females as problems in ovaries, fallopian tube and uterus might be present. Ultrasound helps to rule out those possibilities.