Types of Hernia and Repair

A hernia is an abnormal exit in muscle tissue that results in a painful bulge. It is usually caused when part of your body squeezes through a weak spot and pushes through the wall of muscle that’s holding it in. Most hernias are abdominal hernias that happen in the belly and groin areas.

When you sense a soft lump in your belly or in a scar where the incision has been done during surgery in the past, then you might have a hernia. Usually, the lump goes away when you press on it or when you are lying flat. You can experience the pain, especially when you cough, bend over, or lift something heavy.

Types of Hernia and Repair1

Types of hernias include:
The following are the different types of Hernias

  1. Inguinal hernia
  2. Femoral hernia
  3. Umbilical hernia
  4. Incisional hernia
  5. Epigastric hernia
  6. Hiatal hernia

Inguinal Hernia

Inguinal Hernia occurs when the intestines protrude through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles resulting in life-threatening complications. The bulge resulted can be painful when you cough, bend over or lift a heavy object.

Types of Hernia and Repair2Your doctor might recommend surgery so as to fix the pain or to prevent the Inguinal Hernia from enlarging. The signs and symptoms of Inguinal Hernia include the following:

  • The bulge on either side of your pubic bone
  • Burning or aching sensation at the bulge
  • Pain or discomfort in your groin
  • Heavy or dragging sensation in your groin
  • Weakness or pressure in your groin
  • Pain and swelling around the testicles

This type of hernia may be small or not cause any symptoms. Due to which, most people never know that they have a hernia. However, your doctor may recommend prompt medical treatment that helps you in preventing further protrusion and discomfort.

Femoral hernia

A femoral hernia is a result of muscle weakness of groin. It allows the intestine to bulge and appear as a painful lump in the inner upper part of the thigh. The lump disappears when you lie down and appears while you cough or strain.

The severe symptoms of a femoral hernia include:

  • severe stomach pain
  • sudden groin pain
  • nausea
  • vomiting

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms because it obstructs the intestines due to which blood flow to the intestines might cut off. Emergency treatment is necessary to fix the hernia and to save your life.

Umbilical hernia

An umbilical hernia is a common type of hernia occurs when along umbilicus. This is typically harmless and occurs among infants, but can affect the adults as well. An umbilical hernia is especially noticed when the infant cries, which makes the belly button to protrude which is considered to be a classic sign of an umbilical hernia.

Umbilical hernias are most common among the newborns and infants. The symptoms of an umbilical hernia include:

  • Slight swelling near the belly button
  • Bulge near the belly button
  • Spot becomes larger and harder under increase of pressure on the abdomen
  • Not painful to the touch
  • Discoloration or tenderness in the area

If you notice any of the symptoms, in your babies, go to the emergency room immediately. To resolve the hernia visit the paediatrician and have regular follow-ups.

Incisional hernia

An incisional hernia happens when the weakened muscle of the abdomen pushes the contents of the abdomen to protrude. It usually appears as a bulge beneath your skin. It often can be painful or tender to the touch. This muscle weakness is because of the past incisions made in abdominal surgery.

The following are the symptoms which you may experience during Incisional hernia:

  • Mild discomfort in your abdominal area
  • Pain in your abdomen
  • Outward bulging in your abdominal area
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

If you experience any of these symptoms, Consult a doctor right away to resolve hernia.

Epigastric hernia

An epigastric hernia is a hole caused by a weak spot in the epigastric region of the abdominal wall. It appears just above the belly button and below your rib cage.

Types of Hernia and Repair4

It is quite a common condition in both adults and children. During epigastric hernia, you may not have any symptoms or have minor symptoms due to which it tends to go unreported.

  • Pain
  • Stress
  • Fatigue
  • Anxious mood
  • Depressed mood

Hiatal hernia

Hiatal hernia is a type of hernia that usually happens when the large muscle on the upper part of your stomach bulges. This large muscle separates the chest and abdomen in your body.

A small hiatal hernia results in no causes and you don’t even know that you have one unless your doctor discovers it while diagnosing other medical conditions.

A large hiatal hernia results in heartburn because the food and acid are backed up into your esophagus. Self-care measures or medications might be recommended for your doctor to relieve the symptoms, but it usually requires surgery.

Most people with a hiatal hernia may not have symptoms, but some people experience symptoms such as:

  • Heartburn
  • The bitter or sour taste of the throat
  • Bloating and belching
  • Discomfort
  • Pain in the stomach or esophagus

Types of Hernia Repair

There are several kinds of hernia repair, but the two major categories are:

Open tension-free repair

A single long incision is done in the groin, during this surgery. When the hernia found to be bulging out of the abdominal wall, it is pushed back to its old place and if found going down, then it is either pushed back or tied off and removed.

There are several subtypes of open hernia repair:

  1. Lichtenstein repair
  2. Shouldice repair
  3. Bassini repair
  4. Plug-and-patch repair

Open surgery is different from laparoscopic surgery in the following ways:

  • A single larger incision is enough instead of several small incisions
  • A second incision will be needed to fix the other hernia when it is present on both sides. Laparoscopic surgery fixes both hernias without making more incisions
  • Open hernia repair can be done under general, spinal, or local anesthesia whereas laparoscopic repair requires general anesthesia

Laparoscopic tension-free repair

Laparoscopic hernia repair is a minimally invasive technique which allows the surgeon to fix the hernia without making many incisions. It usually requires general anesthesia unlike open surgery which can be done under general, spinal or local anesthesia.

It results in quicker healing, less discomfort and scarring than an open hernia repair. However, it carries huge complications resulting in recurrence of the hernia.

The main types of laparoscopic hernia repair:

  1. Totally extraperitoneal repair
  2. Transabdominal preperitoneal repair

Conclusion

Many factors influence the treatment choice and the most important factor is the size of the pores. The other treatment options recommended by your treatment provider for a hernia include lifestyle changes and medications.

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Disclaimer: Reading the information on this Bariatric Surgeon India website is not a substitute for any medical or bariatric surgery hospital consultation with a Bariatric or Laparoscopic Surgical specialist. The information should not be relied upon as a medical consultation. This information is not designed to replace a physician’s independent judgment about the appropriateness or risks of a procedure for a given patient. We will do our best to provide you with information that will help you make your own health care decisions. Regards Dr Venu Gopal Pareek, Best Bariatric Surgeon in Hyderabad