About Hernias

What Is A Hernia?

A hernia, commonly called a rupture, is a weakness or tear in the wall of the abdomen. This occurs when a portion of the tissue which lines the abdominal cavity breaks through the weakened area of the abdominal wall. It is usually noticed as a lump or a bulge. In the same way that an inner tube pushes through a damaged tire, the inner lining of the abdomen pushes through this weakened area to form a bulge under the skin. Hernias can occur around your navel, groin, or a previous abdominal incision.

Men and women of all ages can have hernias. These can either be acquired or congenital. Acquired hernias are caused by wear and tear over the years. Congenital hernias result from a weakness in the abdominal wall that is present at birth but may not become evident until later on in life. Both types of hernias may get worse or enlarge with time and physical stress.

Why Have a Hernia Repaired?

A hernia will never heal by itself and if left untreated, it can cause serious intestinal and digestive problems. No matter how large or a small, a hernia should always be treated.

What To Do About A Hernia

If you think you have a hernia, see your doctor right away. Symptoms can include a lump in the abdominal wall that may move in and out with or without pain. Your doctor will perform a thorough physical examination and may do other tests to determine whether you have a hernia and how quickly it needs to be treated. This is essential to making an accurate diagnosis.

Methods of Repair:

Presently there are two basic ways to repair hernias. Physicians performing traditional hernia repair make an incision on the site and repair, suture or reinforce the rupture using a sheet of synthetic mesh. The hernia site is closed with sutures or staples. Traditional hernia repair has a low recurrence rate but patients may have a longer recuperative period and experience pain and discomfort.

Laparoscopic hernia repair is the latest advancement in surgery for inguinal hernia commonly called a “groin hernia.” Laparoscopic surgery is done using a laparoscope — a tiny “telescope” — attached to a camera. The repair is performed from the inside of the abdominal wall and, as in the traditional method, a screen-like patch, called a mesh, is utilized.

Laparoscopic hernia repair usually takes place with the patient under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes three small incisions through which narrow tube-like devices are inserted. A laparoscope is inserted through one of the tubes. Surgical instruments are inserted through the other tubes. Throughout the procedure, the surgeon watches on a video monitor connected to the laparoscope.

The advantages of the laparoscopic hernia repair are smaller incisions, less pain and a quicker return to functional status, in many cases in a week or less. The recurrence rates — the chances of another hernia appearing in the same spot — are lower with the laparoscopic repair than they are with the traditional repair.

How do I know if I am a candidate for a laparoscopic hernia repair?

Most groin hernias, and now even many incisional hernias, can be repaired laparoscopically. To determine whether you are a candidate for this procedure, you must be evaluated by a surgeon who performs the laparoscopic hernia repair.

Why A Special Center for Hernias?

By having your hernia repaired at the Griffin Hospital Hernia Center you will be cared for by a staff trained to an extraordinary level in performing hernia repairs - from the most common simple hernia to the most complex hernia. The Center's staff is constantly increasing its expertise in the field and developing improved techniques in hernia repair.