Abdominal Hernia Surgery

When the muscle or cavity that is supposed to hold an organ or tissues gets weakened and the contents of the cavity start bulging out, one is said to suffer from a medical condition called hernia. Hernia is classified on the basis of the location or the cavity from which the protrusion of the organ or the tissues takes place. This condition could affect any part of the body. Abdominal wall has been commonly seen to be affected by hernia. The condition associated with the weakening of the abdominal wall and protrusion of the contents of the abdominal cavity is referred to as abdominal hernia. Hernia could be asymptomatic or symptomatic. In fact, sometimes hernia may give rise to a variety of distressing symptoms. In such severe cases, doctors generally recommend the patient to undergo an abdominal hernia surgery. Here's some information on the causes of hernia and the need for the surgical treatment for hernia.

Abdominal Hernia

Causes and Symptoms

Umbilical hernia is one of the hernia types that some infants are born with. While the protrusions through the umbilical ring is mostly seen in infants, but it can also affect women, the reason being the enormous stress to this area during childbirth. Hernia could be congenital as well as acquired. Incisional hernia is one of the types of hernia that occurs as a result of surgery. Those who have had surgeries performed on any of the organs present in the abdominal area could suffer from this condition. Weak spots in the abdominal walls could be formed at the site of unhealed incision and this could cause abnormal protrusions. Men with an enlarged prostate are also susceptible to abdominal or groin hernia. A tear in the lower abdominal wall causes a part of the intestine to bulge out. This condition is referred to as inguinal hernia. This condition is commonly seen to affect men more than women.

When the part of the smaller intestine bulges out due to a tear in the abdominal wall, one is said to suffer from femoral hernia. This hernia occurs below the groin. Women are more prone to developing this condition than men. Undue pressure on walls of the abdomen could also occur due to lifting heavy objects. People grappling with the problem of obesity are also susceptible to developing this condition. Frequent straining during bowel movement due to chronic constipation is also one of the common causes of hernia. Hernia is categorized into reducible or irreducible. Reducible hernia is the hernia that can be pushed back into the abdomen. The ones that can't be pushed back are called irreducible or incarcerated. Abdominal hernia is characterized by a bulge in the abdomen, abdominal pain and discomfort. Sometimes, the blood supply to the protrusion might get cut off. This is a medical emergency and such a strangulated hernia needs to be corrected by surgery.

Prevention and Treatment

If you have been experiencing severe abdominal pain, you must consult a doctor for determining the underlying cause. Since lifting heavy weights can put undue pressure on the abdominal walls, one must refrain from any such activity. Those who are overweight must try to lose weight. Since straining during bowel movements can aggravate the condition, one must consult a doctor for the treatment of constipation. Doctors generally recommend surgery for the treatment of hernia. In case the opening is too large, or the patient is suffering from another medical condition that makes hernia repair surgery unsafe, doctors might recommend the use of abdominal binders. If one is suffering from an incarcerated hernia, surgery becomes a necessity. This surgery may cost around $14,000. An open surgery or a laparoscopic surgery is performed to push back the hernia. In an open hernia surgery, the surgeon makes an incision to open up the abdominal cavity, the hernia is pushed back and the hole or defect is closed by a suture.

These days, doctors have begun to use a surgical mesh for hernia repair. This screening material is sewn to the margins of the weak area of the abdominal wall. The incision is then closed with the help of sutures. In case of laparoscopic surgery, a tiny device called a laparoscope is inserted through tiny incisions at the belly button. This helps the surgeon view the abdominal cavity and then the repair is made. Both these procedures are performed under general anesthesia. The time one would take to recover from this surgery would depend on the type of procedure employed. Open surgery will leave behind a bigger scar whereas scarring is minimal in the laparoscopic surgery procedure. Generally the patient recovers within two to three weeks, but in some cases, complications may arise and slow down the process of recovery. As is the case with most surgical procedures, there is a risk of infection. Some patients might face an adverse reaction to anesthesia. If there is bleeding or drainage from the incision, consult your doctor immediately. One must refrain from activities that put strain on the abdominal muscles. Those who have had an open surgery must not lift heavy objects for at least a couple of months.

If you have been diagnosed with an incarcerated hernia, then doctors might advise you to get a hernia surgery performed. If you have recently undergone a hernia repair surgery, make sure that you follow the precautions and advice given by your doctor. A lack of care can result in recurrence of hernia, so refrain from all activities that might aggravate this condition.