HERNIA

WHAT IS A HERNIA?

• A condition where something which normally sits inside the abdomen pushes through a weak point in the abdominal wall – the abdominal muscles – to sit outside the abdomen

• Hernias may contain intra-abdominal fat and/or bowel, or more unusual things such as ovaries and fallopian tubes

• Hernias often show up as an unusual bulge at one point on the tummy or groin

• Both males and females get hernias

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WHAT CAUSES A HERNIA?

• Hernias can be present from birth, but more commonly, develop later in life

• Hernias are caused by pressure inside the abdomen pushing against weak points in the abdominal wall / muscles

• Anything which increases pressure in the abdomen may help cause a hernia:

  • Heavy work or exercise

  • Chronic cough

  • Chronic constipation and straining

  • Pregnancy

• Anything which causes a weak point in the abdominal wall / muscles may lead to a hernia

  • Some common natural weak points:

    • Groin: Inguinal and Femoral hernia

    • Navel / Umbilicus (“belly button”): Umbilical hernia

  • Previous operation site: Incisional hernia

 

WHAT SYMPTOMS DO HERNIAS CAUSE?

• Bulge

• Ache or pain

• Symptoms may be worse with activity / coughing / straining

• Sometimes, a hernia becomes incarcerated or even strangulated (see below)

 

ARE HERNIAS DANGEROUS?

• Hernias will usually worsen with time – the hole in the muscle layer increases allowing the hernia itself to get bigger

• The bigger the hernia, the harder it may be to treat

• If the contents of the hernia can easily poke out through the abdominal muscle layer then drop back inside, this is known as a reducible hernia

• Hernia contents which become stuck in or outside the muscle layer create a more serious situation – this is an irreducible or incarcerated hernia and urgent or semi-urgent surgery may be required

• If the hernia is incarcerated and it’s contents are being squeezed too tightly as they pass through the abdominal wall, the blood supply to the hernia may be compromised – this is a strangulated hernia … a surgical emergency; what’s in the hernia (bowel for example) may die within hours if it is not released

• A strangulated hernia usually causes acute and severe pain at the site

 

HOW ARE HERNIAS TREATED?

• Surgical repair is the most effective way to fix a hernia

• The hernia contents are put back where they belong (or occasionally, resected) and the weakness in the muscle layer repaired to prevent hernia recurrence

• The muscle defect may be simply stitched together, or alternatively covered over with a synthetic “mesh” patch to facilitate more reliable repair

• Hernia surgery is most commonly performed under general anaesthetic, and may be done via open cut or laparoscopically (“keyhole” surgery)

• If the risk of surgery outweighs the chance of the hernia causing problems, surgery may not be recommended

• Hernia belts or “trusses” can sometimes help but are often not very effective in controlling a symptomatic hernia

 

ARE THERE ANY RISKS OR POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS OF SURERY?

• Hernia surgery generally involves common, safe and effective procedures, however all surgical procedures carry some risk

• As always, Mr Jassal will carefully assess you to ascertain if surgery is warranted

• If so, you will be full counselled as to the risks and potential complications of your surgery

• Complications specific to hernia surgery are uncommon to rare, but include:

  • Recurrence of hernia

  • Mesh infection

  • Chronic pain

  • Nerve damage

  • Bowel or other organ injury

  • Major bleed

The above information is a general guide only – please feel free to seek further information and/or clarification from Mr Jassal