Hernia Repair

A hernia is a common ailment caused by the protrusion of an organ, or the tissues surrounding an organ, into a weakened area in the walls or muscles that contain it. While herniated discs of the spine are common and usually treated without surgery, the focus of this article is on the treatment of abdominal hernias, which is by the far the most common location of hernias.

Causes of hernias

Usually the causes of weakened membranes or muscles in the abdomen are congenital, and hernias tend to run in families. There are other causes, including weakening of the abdominal muscles during pregnancy, rapid weight loss, scars from previous surgeries or other diseases. Inguinal hernias, located just above the groin area, make up about 75 percent of abdominal hernias, with femoral, umbilical, incisional, diaphragmatic and other locations comprising the rest.

Treatment

Because the complications of an untreated abdominal hernia are sometimes severe and can include organ dysfunction and gangrene, it is almost always best to repair an abdominal hernia as soon as possible. The newest treatments involve placing a synthetic mesh material either over the defect in the abdomen, called an anterior repair, or (preferably) under the defect, called a posterior repair. This contrasts with older methods which involved pulling the muscles together under tension and suturing the muscles together. Evidence suggests that these newer methods provide a faster recovery time and significantly fewer complications.

Quick recovery time

This surgery is often performed on an outpatient basis, and patients are commonly able to return to work within a week or two with limitations on their activities. Complications occur in about 10 percent of post-surgical cases but are usually minor and easily addressed.

Things to avoid

Hernia belts, trusses, trunks and other external devices which reduce the symptoms of the hernia without addressing the underlying cause are not recommended. The exceptions include cases of acute incisional hernias that occur shortly after surgery and cases in which surgery is not possible.

Untreated hernias are often very painful and even life threatening if the blood supply to the underlying organ is compromised. At the first sign of a hernia, you should see a doctor and begin the process of recovery.

At the first sign of a hernia, you should see a doctor