HERNIA DISEASE – ITS SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENTS

What is hernia?

Is defined as abnormal protrusion (bulge) of abdominal viscera through a weakened part of abdominal wall. A hernia disease does not get better over time, neither will be it go away by itself. It always becomes bigger with time.

What are the common types?

The common sites of hernia are groin (inguinal and femoral) and the belly button (umbilical) and at the site of previous surgery (incisional). There are many different types but are not common.

Who are at risk of getting hernia?

Anyone can get hernia and New born to Elderly persons. At  any risk are Persons engaged in hard labor like lightly lifting heavy goods, with chronic cough, straining for passing urine and stools, smoker and  obese persons with previous open abdominal surgery are common to get hernia treatment.

How to detect or diagnose hernia?

Hernia is easy to recognize, and they are usually presenting as bulge under the skin especially on standing or straining and disappears on lying down. Pain may or  not be present with the bulge. Hernia can available as emergency if the bulge is not reducing, the associated with the pain and vomiting (Strangulation/ Obstruction In such case patient should visit the surgeon as soon as possible. Ultrasound scan, CT scan is required for diagnosing very small hernia and in obeses the patients.

When to take treatment?

Once hernia is detected it should be treated as early as the possible, according to new guidelines can hernia should be repaired with mesh within one and half month of diagnosis. Early surgery will be the prevent complications like obstruction and strangulation.

What is the treatment for hernia?

Surgery is the only treatment for hernia. No medicine will cure it.

What are the Complications of hernia if it not treated?

·        Can increase in size causing discomfort or pain.

·        Can become irreducible

·        Can lead to obstruction or strangulation – where hernia requires emergency surgery.

What are the types of surgery for hernia?

 Surgery for hernia is of the mainly two types

Open surgery

Laparoscopic surgery (Endoscopic/keyhole/Minimally invasivesurgery). here in both types of surgery hernia is repaired using a MESH.

How is Laparoscopic surgery for hernia performed?

Three incisions are made and cannulas placed in them. A laparoscope are connected to a special camera is inserted through a cannula, and they are allowing the surgeon to view the hernia and surrounding area on a video screen.so that the other cannulas are inserted under vision which allow the surgeon to work inside the abdomen. and  a surgical Mesh is fixed over the hernia defect and held in place with small surgical staples and/or sutures.

How is the open surgery for hernia performed?

In the  Open operation a cut is made over the body (according to scope of hernia) and tissues dissected out till the hernia defect is identified. and the hernia bag are opened and contents of hernia sac are pushed back into abdomen and bag is excised. they are Defect is closed. Mesh is applied over and surrounding the defect and  fixed in place with suturesed.

What is the main advantages of Laparoscopic surgery for hernia over the conventional open surgeries?

The advantages are many, few are:

 

·        Having Much less pain.

·        Patients are able to walk within Short hours of surgery.

·        Patients are discharged early from hospital within one or two days processing days after surgery

·        Patients are allowed to resume routine activities earliest.

·        Both sides of inguinal hernia can be operat with the same 3 incisions.

·        Cosmetics results are excellent.

Is Any necessary to use MESH in the repair of all hernias?

If yes. then  It is standard principle that MESH should be applied in the repair of hernia in majority of patients to strengthen the defects whether the surgery is done by open or Laparoscopic method. and only childhood hernias are repaired without using MESH.

Is they safe to undergo Laparoscopic repair for hernia?

If yes. It is  done by a properly trained surgeon in a well- equipped centre it is a safe surgery with excellent results.

Under what circumstances a Laparoscopic surgery are cannot be done?

Laparoscopic hernia repair may not be possible if:

·        If the hernia is very large in size

·        If a patient can’t receive general anesthesia

·        If a patient had multiple complicated abdominal surgeries

What are the complications of surgery?

The complications of hernia surgery are:

·        Seroma- they are collection of whitish fluid in the wound (commonest complication).

·        Hematoma- they arecollection of blood in the wound.

·        Mesh infection- they aremost dreaded complication. Requires  are removal of mesh, thorough washing of wound and culture based  antibiotics

·        Pain at operative site. they are Usually subsides with normal pain killers.

·        Recurrence – they are Failure of surgery and re-appearing of the hernia.

What is the length of stay in hospital?

Hospital stay following laparoscopic hernia surgery is lesser compared to open surgery.

·        Laparoscopic hernia surgery – 1-2 days for all hernias

·        Open hernia surgery – 3 and more as per type of hernia

 

What precautions are to be taken after undergoing hernia surgery?

·        they are Should not lift weight for 3 months.

·        they are Should stop smoking.

·        they are Should lose weight if obese.

·        they are Should have regular follow up if a person is suffering from chronic cough or has straining while passing urine or stools should take treatment for the condition.