Hernia can manifest in different areas of the body. Based on the location or area involved, the hernia can be broadly classified into:
Inguinal Hernia: One of the most common hernias, occurs in the groin or upper thigh.
Femoral Hernia: Femoral hernia is more common in females and occurs in the groin or upper part of the thigh.
Umbilical Hernia: This hernia occurs in the umbilical or navel region of the body.
Epigastric Hernia: This hernia occurs between the umbilicus and the rib cage.
Incisional Hernia: The incisional hernia occurs at a previous surgical incision or scar site due to compromised repair.
Symptoms of Hernia:
Depending upon the site, size, and complexity, the hernia can manifest itself as:
Visible bulge: The most common symptom of hernia is a bulge beneath the skin that becomes more prominent when straining and standing and disappears when lying down. This is known as a Reducible Hernia.
When the bulge becomes permanent and does not disappear, it is known as an Irreducible Hernia.
Pain and discomfort: Pain and discomfort occur when the hernia becomes entrapped by the defect. Around the hernia site, pain can be mild to severe.
Management of Hernia
Hernia is a progressive disease characterized by muscle tear, which results in organ protrusion. Hernia can never be cured with medicines, and surgery is the only definitive treatment that can provide a permanent solution. Recent advancements have refined these traditional methods, improved outcomes, and reduced recovery times.
The two main surgical options include:
Open or conventional Surgery: This involves making an incision over the hernia site and reducing the protruding content. The defect is then closed and reinforced by a non-absorbable material known as mesh.
The procedure is usually reserved for patients unfit for laparoscopic surgery due to compromised heart or lung conditions.
The procedure is often associated with delayed recovery, more pain, and increased chances of recurrence.
Laparoscopic Hernia repair: This is a minimally invasive approach. It has become one of the best and gold-standard techniques for managing hernia.
With the help of three incisions of half cm each, the entire surgery is conducted, making recovery relatively fast with minimal pain.
A thin tubular telescope fitted with a camera is introduced into the abdomen, projecting images on high-definition monitors.
The entire repair uses specialized instruments, and the mesh is placed to strengthen the repair.
Patients are discharged within 24 hours of surgery, and most return to normal activity within three days.
Management of Large & Complex Hernias:
Complex hernias are defined as:
- Hernia more than 10 cm in size
- More than 20% loss of domain
- Recurrent hernia
- Co-morbidities that impair wound healing include obesity, diabetes, smoking, and poor nutritional status.
Management of such hernias is technically challenging, and an attempt to repair such extensive defects in an unprepared abdomen can lead to severe complications and even mortality.
Their management is entirely different from that of simple and uncomplicated hernias. Such hernias require vast experience and expertise for successful outcomes, and their method of repair is altogether different from that of uncomplicated hernias.
Our team offers both open and laparoscopic surgeries for the management of such complex hernias. A history of previous surgeries, the size of the defect, and the associated medical illness are some of the factors considered when deciding the treatment modality.