Abdominal Hernia Surgery

Hernia is defined as the bulge or protrusion of a part of an organ through a weak spot in the wall of the cavity containing it. It is classified on the basis of the location or the cavity from which the protrusion of the organ or the tissues takes place.

Abdominal hernia, as the name suggests, is characterized by the protrusion of the contents of the abdomen from a weak spot in the abdominal wall. It could be asymptomatic or symptomatic. Hernia can be repaired through surgery. In severe cases, surgical intervention might be necessary to avert complications.

Hernia could be congenital as well as acquired. Here are some of the common types:

Umbilical: This type might affect some infants. It is characterized by the protrusion of the abdominal lining or part of the abdominal organ(s) protrude through the belly button or the umbilical ring. This condition can also affect women due to the enormous stress to this area during childbirth.

Incisional: This type affects individuals who have undergone surgical procedures for any of the organs present in the abdomen. Abnormal protrusions could develop when weak spots form at the site of unhealed incision.

Inguinal: Men with an enlarged prostate are susceptible to groin hernia. A tear in the lower abdominal wall could cause a part of the intestine to bulge out. This condition is commonly seen to affect men more than women.

Femoral: This type is more common in women. It occurs when a part of the smaller intestine bulges out due to a tear in the abdominal wall below the groin.

Undue pressure on walls of the abdomen due to lifting heavy objects or frequent straining during bowel movement due to chronic constipation could be contributing factors for this condition. Hernia is categorized into reducible or irreducible/incarcerated.

While the former can be pushed back into the abdomen, the latter refers to the type that can't be pushed back. Surgery becomes necessary in case of irreducible hernia or strangulation, wherein the visceral contents of hernia become twisted or entrapped by a narrow opening.

As a result, the blood supply might be cut off, which can cause swelling and eventually infarction. It might also lead to bowel obstruction.

The surgical repair involves pushing back the bulge. It can be performed in two ways. In an open surgery, the surgeon makes an incision to open up the abdominal cavity. Thereafter, the protrusion is pushed back and the hole or defect is closed by a suture.

These days, doctors have begun to use a surgical mesh that 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 device has a light source and a camera, which relays the images of the inside of the abdomen or pelvis to a monitor. This allows the surgeon to access the insides of the abdomen, without making large incisions. 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. The recovery period is longer in case of an open surgery, whereas laparoscopic surgery has a shorter hospital stay and recovery. 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.

Those who have undergone the surgery must follow the aftercare instructions to speed up the recovery process. Though surgery is main treatment for hernia, if the opening is too large or the patient is suffering from another medical condition that makes surgery unsafe or impractical, doctors might recommend the use of abdominal binders.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this story is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.