A hernia is a protrusion of a viscus (an organ) beyond its normal limits. It can be thought of as a hole in the muscles of the groin through which the abdominal contents can protrude. This is usually fatty tissue (the omentum) but it can be bowel and rarely even the bladder can be found in a hernia.
The protrusion produces a swelling. If the swelling clears on lying down, it is known as a reducible hernia, or if it fails to clear it is known as an irreducible hernia.
Hernias can either be painless, cause slight discomfort or be painful. They tend to get larger with time and can make it difficult to undertake normal activities.
Types of Hernias
Umbilical Hernia
The belly button (umbilicus) is a weak area in the abdominal muscles, where there is a bit of fibrous tissue rather than actual muscle. Abdominal contents can protruude through the muscle surrounding the umbilicus causing it to pop outwards. This is usually fatty tissue (the omentum) but it can be bowel. Umbilical Hernia are most common among women before and after their pregnancy. Surgery The aim of the operation is to close the hole to prevent the hernia. During the operation the hernia is identified and pushed back (reduced) into the tummy. The hole is usually quite small and can be repaired with a small number of strong, permanent stitches. […]
Laparoscopic Hernia Repair
Laparoscopic Hernia Repair is a technique to fix tears in the abdominal wall (muscle) using small incisions, telescopes and a patch (mesh). Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair may offer a quicker return to work and normal activities with a decreased pain for some patients. Surgery In this approach, a laparoscope (a small telescope) connected to a special camera is inserted through a cannula, a small hollow tube, allowing the surgeon to view the hernia and surrounding tissue on a video screen. Other cannulas are inserted which allow your surgeon to work inside. Three small (0.5mm) incisions are usually necessary. The hernia is repaired from behind the abdominal wall. A small piece […]
Inguinal Hernia
An Inguinal Hernia occurs when abdominal contents protrude through a hole in the muscles of the groin at the top of your inner thigh. The appendix can sometimes form part of a right sided hernia. Surgery The aim of the inguinal hernia repair is to close the hole to prevent the hernia. During your inguinal repair the muscle layers are explored and the hole (the defect) is found. A small mesh plug (looks like a tiny, rolled up umbrella when it comes out of the box) is placed through the hole. This then opens up behind the muscles to seal the defect. The muscles are then repaired over the front […]
Incisional Hernia Repair
An incisional hernia happens through an old scar on the tummy from a previous operation. Surgery Incisional hernias are often more complicated to fix and can be done from the front (open) or from the inside (laparoscopic). Repairing these will often involve a “mesh” to make the area stronger and to try and reduce the risk of it coming back again.
Epigastric Hernia
Epigastric Hernia occurs higher up, above the umbilicus, where there may be a weakness between the muscles on either side as they meet in the middle (called the linea alba, or white line), through which the abdominal contents can protrude. This is usually fatty tissue (the omentum) but it can be bowel. Surgery The aim of the epigastric hernia repair is to close this hole and prevent the hernia. During your epigastric hernia repair surgery the hernia is identified and pushed back (reduced) into the tummy. The hole is usually quite small and can be repaired with a small number of strong, permanent stitches. In first time epigastric hernias a […]
Femoral Hernia
When you have a Femoral Hernia, there is a space (called the femoral canal) next to the main blood vessels in the groin through which the abdominal contents, usually fatty tissue or sometimes even bowel or your bladder, can protrude. This is wider in women and so femoral hernias are more common in women. Surgery The aim of the femoral hernia operation is to close the hole / space to prevent the hernia. During the operation, the surgeon uses a small mesh plug (this looks like a tiny, rolled up umbrella when it comes out of the box) which is placed into the femoral canal and the opening of the […]
