Surgeons repair some hernias in a procedure called herniorrhaphy.
A hernia is a tear in the abdominal wall through which an organ or tissue protrudes. There are several types and varying degrees of hernias, with groin hernia being the most common. Herniorrhaphy is the term for the surgical procedure to repair a hernia.
Types of Hernia
Approximately 80 percent of all hernias are inguinal---or groin---hernias, which most frequently occur in adult men. Other types are umbilical, usually occurring in infants, incisional, which occur following surgery, and hiatal, where part of the stomach enters the chest cavity through the esophagus.
Causes
Inguinal hernias are caused by strain to muscles in the abdomen and often occur during periods of heavy lifting or other strenuous activity. In umbilical (or belly-button) hernias, the abdominal opening for the umbilical cord does not completely close before or shortly after birth, leading tissue to extend through the opening.
Synptoms
Hernias usually produce a bulge in the abdomen, groin or scrotum. Hernias are frequently painless, but symptoms may range from mild discomfort to extreme pain. Coughing, stretching or constipation may increase abdominal pain associated with a hernia.
When is Surgery Needed?
A strangulated hernia, where the hernia-affected tissue loses blood supply, can lead to infection and a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate surgery. Surgery is also recommended in inguinal hernias occurring in children. Other hernia operations are elective, and patients should discuss the level of discomfort and other factors with a physician to decide if surgery is warranted.
About the Surgery
Most hernia operations are performed on an outpatient basis and last a couple of hours. Patients are placed under general anesthesia, the tissue is pushed back through the opening, and the abdominal wall is repaired. Surgeons may use a traditional hernia repair method or laparoscopic surgery.
Care Following Surgery
After a herniorrhaphy, patients should generally avoid heavy lifting or other strenuous activities for four weeks. Contact your physician if you experience fever, vomiting, or bleeding; if pain does not subside after a few days; or if any other complications occur.
Tags: abdominal wall, heavy lifting, heavy lifting other, hernia operations, lifting other