What is a Hernia?

A hernia is an opening or weakness in the muscular structure of the wall of the abdomen. This defect causes a bulging of the abdominal wall. Any activities that increase intra-abdominal pressure can worsen a hernia; examples of such activities are lifting, coughing, or even straining to have a bowel movement. Imagine a barrel with a hole in its side and a balloon that is blown up inside the barrel. Part of the inflated balloon would bulge out through the hole. The balloon going through the hole is like the tissues of the abdomen bulging through a hernia. Serious complications from a hernia result from the trapping of tissues in the hernia – a process called incarceration. Trapped or incarcerated tissues may have their blood supply cut off, leading to damage or death of the tissue. Ignoring a hernia can affect your ability to function and cause intestinal obstruction requiring major surgery if not treated quickly.

Many Hernias: Multiple Solutions

Inguinal Hernias – are fairly common. This is one of the most common hernia types, affecting millions of Americans and leading to hundreds of thousands of operations a year. Inguinal hernias occurs in the groin. They are called “inguinal” because the intestine or bowel pushes through a weak spot in the inguinal canal: a triangle-shaped opening in the abdominal muscles close to the groin. Obesity, pregnancy, heavy lifting and straining to pass stool can cause the intestine to push against the inguinal canal and may cause a hernia.

Ventral Hernias – are defects in the abdominal wall. An incisional (ventra) hernia can develop in the abdominal wall, around the navel, in the groin or anywhere else a surgical incision has been made. Part of the bowel or intestine may protrude through a weak spot or tear in the thin muscular wall that holds the stomach and other organs in place. The resulting bulge or tear in the abdominal muscles can often be repaired with advanced laparoscopy. Our surgeons use advanced hernia repair technologies to reinforce or bridge abdominal wall hernias for extended support during and after wound healing.

Hiatal Hernia – (diaphragmatic hernias) form at the opening of the diaphragm where the esophagus joins the stomach. Most small hiatal hernias are relatively harmless. You may not know you have one unless your doctor discovers it while examining you for another condition. A large hiatal hernia, on the other hand, may allow food and acid to back up into the esophagus. This can result in heartburn and/or chest pain. Large hiatal hernias sometimes need surgical repair that can often be done laparoscopically.

Pain Control

Because certain types of hernia repairs may cause postoperative pain, our surgeons use a leading-edge pain-relief system, when appropriate, for continuous delivery of local anesthetic directly into a surgery site for postoperative pain management. Which can lead to quicker mobility and a faster recovery.