Hernia
A hernia occurs when an organ like intestine or fatty tissue squeezes through a weak spot in a surrounding muscle or connective tissue called fascia. The most common types of hernia are inguinal (inner groin), incisional (resulting from an incision), femoral (outer groin), umbilical (belly button), and hiatal (upper stomach).
Most hernias aren’t immediately life threatening, but they don’t go away on their own. Sometimes they can require surgery to prevent dangerous complications.
Why to Choose?
Types of Hernia
Inguinal Hernia
Inguinal hernia is a bulge in the groin (it is area inside our undergarment). It is the most common type of hernia.
The bulge can be limited only to the groin or can even extend upto the scrotum in men. The bulge is more prominent on standing or while doing some strenuous activity. It usually reduces in size on lying down position.
Umbilical Hernia
This is the second most common type of hernia. They happen when fat or part of the intestine pushes through muscle near the belly button. They’re more common in newborns – especially in those born earlier than expected and babies under 6 months old — but adults can get them, too.
Women are more likely than men to get an umbilical hernia. Umbilical hernias often occur in infants. Most of the time, they close on their own by the time a baby is 1 year old. But sometimes surgery is needed. Umbilical hernias can also occur in adults. They can happen in people who have health problems that create pressure in the belly, such as being overweight, being pregnant, or having too much fluid in the belly (ascites). Other health problems can also lead to umbilical hernia.
These include a chronic cough, chronic constipation, and problems urinating because of an oversized prostate gland. Most of the time, a doctor can diagnose an umbilical hernia during a physical examination.
An umbilical hernia tends to get bigger over time. You may need surgery to treat it, especially if it gets bigger or becomes painful.
Without treatment, there is a risk of a strangulated hernia, which means that part of the intestine or fat is trapped and blood supply to the tissue is cut off. This can be very painful. It requires emergency surgery if the bulge becomes swollen, painful, tender, or discoloured.
Femoral Hernia
A femoral hernia occurs when tissue bulges from the lower belly into the upper thigh, just below the groin crease. Femoral hernias occur more often in women than in men.
Pain from a femoral hernia is usually felt in the groin area. It is sometimes mistaken for an inguinal hernia.
A femoral hernia can be hard to diagnose. The hernia may be too small for your doctor to feel during a physical examination. You may need other tests. Often a femoral hernia is found when part of the intestine is trapped and blood supply to the tissue is cut off. This is called a strangulated hernia. It requires emergency surgery.
Incisional Hernia
A hernia that appears in the abdomen at the site of a previous surgery is known as an incisional hernia. These hernias can appear weeks, months, or even years after surgery and can vary in size from small to very large and complex. If you think you have an incisional hernia, it is important to see your doctor because it may widen and become extremely difficult to repair.
This type of hernia can occur in people who:
Hiatal Hernia
It occurs when part of your stomach bulges up through a weak point in your diaphragm and into your chest. The diaphragm is a sheet of muscle that separates your abdominal organs from your chest and has an important role in breathing.
Hiatus hernia cannot be seen from outside as like other hernias.
Symptoms: Acidity, Reflux, Heart burn
It is diagnosed by Upper GI Scopy. Oesophageal manometry with pH impedence study and LES function are important before planning a surgery like Fundoplication in Hiatus Hernia. Surgery is planned only when patient is not comfortable even after taking antacids/PPIs.
Epigastric Hernia
This is present in upper half of the abdomen in midline.
Epigastric hernias often have no symptoms. But they can cause pain in the abdomen. You need surgery to repair an epigastric hernia.
European Hernia Society classification for incisional abdominal wall hernias
Prevention of Hernia
Most people can’t prevent a hernia. They occur due to a combination of genetic and medical history. However, there are a few things you can try to prevent a hernia:
What is the best treatment for hernia?
There are no medicines to treat hernia. The only treatment is Surgery.
Why should a Hernia be operated?
To get rid of discomfort, Improve quality of life, prevent complications like obstruction and strangulation.
Return to normal life
From next day of surgery you can start walking and can do light work
Where can I find the best hernia surgeon in Mumbai? Near me?
Dr. Sunny Agarwal is one of the best laparoscopic hernia surgeon in Mumbai. He aims at delivering good cosmetic results, uses best quality mesh and ensures good repair of hernia. Dr. Sunny Agarwal operates in many centers like Chembur, Sion, Ghatkopar, Mankhurd, Tilak Nagar, Andheri, Borivili, Dombivili, Navi Mumbai, Vashi, Kharghar, Thane.
What happens if I don't get my hernia operated now?
A small reducible hernia can become a Large Hernia causing pain and heaviness to the patient. The intestines can go into Obstruction or Strangulation.
Getting operated on time is important otherwise the problem keeps on increasing, affecting the Quality of Life and it also makes the surgery prolonged and difficult.
Open or Laparoscopy?
Small to medium sized hernias can be easily operated laparoscopically. Large hernias may need open technique.
Mesh
A mesh is placed to cover the defect of hernia so to strengthen the abdominal wall. This also reduces the chances of hernia recurrence. Mesh is not removed later. It is kept in permanently.
Precautions after surgery
Avoid lifting heavy weights, straining at stools, constipation & excessive coughing.