Types and treatments of hernia

28-05-2018

What is hernia?

Hernia occurs when an internal organ (such as a small part of the bowel) is removed from the cavity where it normally has its place.

The common cause of each hernia is the pressure and the opening or weakness of the muscles. The pressure extrudes the organ or tissue through the opening or weak point.

What are the symptoms of hernia?

The symptoms of a hernia primarily depend on which part of the body is formed, but one of its characteristic symptoms is the protrusion, lump which is sensitive to touch and painful. When coughing, sneezing, laughing, the protrusion can become even more visible.

A hernia occurs when an organ or fatty tissue squeezes through a weak spot in a surrounding muscle or connective tissue called fascia. In most cases, hernia can be diagnosed on the basis of signs and symptoms. Occasionally medical imaging technics are used to confirm the diagnosis or rule out other possible causes.

Hernia is partly genetic and occurs more often in certain families.

What types of hernias exist?

Inguinal hernia

Inguinal hernia is the most common type of hernia in adults. It is more common in men, but it may also occur in women.

In case of inguinal hernia, the abdominal content, most commonly the small bowel (small intestine) and the omentum (the apron that covers the abdominal cavity) can protrude through the hernia, creating a lump or visible bulge. Hernia may cause discomfort and pain.

Umbilical hernia

Umbilical hernia occurs in or around the belly-button, or umbilicus.  The belly button is an inherently weaker area of the abdominal wall. Eventually, the fascial layer of the abdominal wall can be worn away, resulting in a hole (a hernia) in the abdominal wall.

Femoral hernia

Femoral hernia is relatively rare (3% of all hernias). While femoral hernia can occur in both man and woman, this is most likely to occur in women because of the wider hipbone. Femoral hernias are more common in adults than in children. Those that do occur in children are more likely to be associated with a connective tissue disorder or with conditions that increase intra-abdominal pressure. Once these type of hernias are diagnosed, early treatment is highly recommended before complications occur.

Epigastric hernia

An epigastric hernia occurs when a weakness in the abdominal muscle allows the tissues of the abdomen to protrude through the muscle. An epigastric hernia is similar to an umbilical hernia, except the umbilical hernia forms around the belly button and the epigastric hernia can be found between the belly button and the chest.

How do we treat hernia?

Laparoscopic hernia repair

Usually hernias affecting the groin area (inguinal hernia) should be treated by laparoscopy. Especially:

• Recurring inguinal hernias
• Inguinal hernia on both sides
• People who are athletes or blue-collar workers

If the abdominal hernia doesn’t exceed 10-12 cm in size, laparoscopic surgery is an option if the other circumstances allow it (patient’s health, previous surgeries, technical conditions)

Laparoscopic hernia repairs are always accompanied by the usage of titanium mesh. This supports the weak muscle wall and helps your body in preventing another hernia.

Open hernia repair

• Mostly in the case of ventral hernia doctors use open surgery
• When certain conditions don’t allow laparoscopy like big size hernias, previous abdominal surgeries, other ongoing health issues, general health status

In case of open hernia repairs, titanium mesh isn’t always used. This is always the doctor’s responsibility to decide.