Hernia Surgery

A hernia occurs when a piece of skin or organ tissue (like an intestine) bulges through an opening or weakness of muscle or connective tissue. This weakness can be present at birth or develop later in life. If your surgeon determines that your hernia requires treatment, surgery may be performed.

There are several types of hernias:

• Epigastric – occurs around the area near the belly button

• Paraumbilical – occurs near the belly button

• Umbilical – occurs at the belly button

• Incisional – occurs through an incision or scar in the abdomen

• Spigelian – also known as lateral ventral hernia, occurs in the middle and lower abdomen in the spigelian fascia of the abdominal wall

• Femoral – occurs in the upper thigh/outer groin

• Inguinal – occurs in the inner groin

• Hiatal – occurs inside the abdomen along the upper stomach or diaphragm

Laparoscopic repair of a hernia - The surgeon makes a few incisions in your abdomen, inserts a tiny camera into one incision to visualize your abdomen and repairs the hernia through another incision. It is minimally invasive and reduces the chance of infection, post-operative pain, and recovery time.

Surgical mesh is often used to strengthen the hernia repair and reduce the rate of recurrence. Most surgical mesh devices are constructed from synthetic materials or animal tissue. Discuss with your surgeon which type of mesh is recommended for your particular type of hernia repair.