Hernia

Hernia

Hernia means weakness or hole in the abdominal muscular wall through which abdominal content like intestine and/or fat push through, producing a bulge

Types

• Inguinal hernia: a bulge in the groin that may reach the scrotum (more common in men)

• Femoral hernia: a bulge below the groin (more common in women)

• Umbilical hernia: is hernia at belly button

• Incisional hernia: a bulging through the scar of previous abdominal surgery / operation

• Hiatal or Hiatus hernia: an opening in the diaphragm through which the stomach protrudes into the chest cavity

Causes

• Ageing
• Overweight or obese
• Long-term constipation
• Long-term cough
• Physical exertion - Lifting heavy items
• Straining to urinate - Enlarged prostate
• Poor nutrition
• Smoking
• Conditions leading to abdominal distention – e.g.Ascites

Symptoms

• Swelling – painless / painful
• Nausea and / or vomiting – in case of obstructed hernia / hiatal hernia
• Heartburn – in case of Hiatus hernia

Tests to Diagnosis

• Clinical examination
• Sonography
• CT Scan
• Barium study, Endoscopy- for Hiatal Hernia

Complications

• Hernias can cause an emergency need for surgery when a part of the intestine gets blocked leading to compromised blood supply
• This can cause life threating complication

Treatment

• Surgery / Operation – Laparoscopy / Open - with / without mesh -“jali” repair

• Laparoscopic Hernia repair surgery is favourable option for patients – as laparoscopy method is having advantage of lesser scars, minimal pain, early discharge, early come back to daily life & lesser wound complication

• Open surgery is offered to the patients who are unfit to go under general anaesthesia or in complicated scenario