Operations
Hernia
Information about hernias
Hernia is a condition in which part of an intra-abdominal organ displays and protrudes through a faint (weak) part of the abdominal wall. The causes of hernias are: Anatomically loose birth walls, obesity, constipation, trauma, previous operations, heavy manual labor, heavy lifting, chronic cough.
The obvious symptom of the hernia is the apparent swelling at some point in the abdominal wall. Its main complication is the bowel obstruction and strangulation which can occur even in small hernias. At strangulation, part of the intestine is trapped in the hernia and gradually begins to necrotize.. A strangulated hernia can be life-threatening if it isn’t treated.
TYPES OF HERNIA
Reducible is called a hernia it comes back into place, when we lie down or when we push it inward. If this cannot be done the hernia is called irreducible. This hernia can then be strangulated.
Inguinal Hernia
Inguinal hernia is the most common hernia and it mostly appears in men. The inguinal canal appears in the ventral part of the abdominal wall, from where the testes descend to the man before his birth, (in women there is no round uterine ligament). It can be indirect to mostly young men and direct to men over 50.
Umbilical Hernia
Umbilical hernia occurs near the navel, in infants or shortly after birth, and in adults during life with progressive deterioration. They mainly occur in obese women or after pregnancy or after severe coughing.
Epigastric or White Line Hernia
Epigastric or white line hernia is more common in men and occurs in the midline between the sternum and navel due to weakness / congestion, or opening in the muscles or tendons of the upper abdominal wall
Incisional Hernia
The hernia that appears at the site of the abdominal wall where there is an incision from a previous surgery is called an incisional hernia. They may appear weeks, months or even years after surgery and may vary in size
Hiatal Hernia
Hiatal Hernia appears in the abdomen, in the diaphragm, the muscle that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity so it does not appear swollen externally. These hernias can cause acid reflux from the stomach to the esophagus, resulting in heartburn, pain and eventually erosion of the esophagus.
Femoral Hernia
Femoral Hernia, like the inguinal one, is a hernia of the groin area. It is more common in women and appears just below the groin aspect, usually after pregnancy. They are often complicated and require early recovery.
Treatment
The treatment of hernia is solely surgical repair, whatever the severity of the condition. There are no alternative approaches. Surgical methods of rehabilitation fall into two main categories:
Open methods
Classical methods without the use of mesh have now been abandoned because of the high recurrence rates, mainly due to staple tissue tension. Techniques with non-tensioned mesh and stapling (eg Lichtenstein) are considered the Gold Standard. The only mesh-free method with low recurrence rates is the Shouldice method. In children the repair is done without strengthening the abdominal walls.
Laparoscopic methods
Laparoscopic repair is done using special tools and a camera through very small incisions on the skin. The use of mesh is absolutely required.
Which is the best treatment method ?
Mesh repair and especially laparoscopy in selected cases almost eliminates the possibility of recurrence (less than 1%).
In contrast, open methods of recovery without the use of a mesh show a high rate of relapse.
TYPES OF HERNIAS
A Hernia may appear in different parts of the abdominal area;They type of hernia can be identified as:
- Inguinal Hernia
- Umbilical Hernia
- Epigastric or White Line Hernia
- Incisional Hernia
- Hiatal Hernia
- Femoral Hernia
- Sports Hernia
- Lumbar Hernia
- Varicocele
- Hydrocele
