Hernia – surgery. How is a hernia treated?

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A hernia is a situation in which internal organs move outside the body cavity in which they are normally located. This condition often requires urgent operations. Why? What are the symptoms and types of hernia? These questions are answered below.

Hernia – Causes and Symptoms

The displacement of organs or tissues occurs as a result of the weakening of the integuments of the body cavity in which the organs are located. The reduced strength of the walls of individual body cavities is usually the result of disturbances in collagen metabolism or the result of previous operations. Additionally, risk factors include:

1. pregnancy,
2. age (the more advanced it is, the lower the body’s ability to regenerate itself),
3. gender (men have a hernia more often),
4. lifting weights or performing heavy physical work,
5. obesity,
6. coexistence of diseases in the course of which intra-abdominal pressure increases (e.g. COPD).

The hernia is not difficult to recognize because its symptoms are quite characteristic. It is mainly the appearance of a soft lump on the body that can be drained inward at first, but becomes difficult with time. The bulge is also accompanied by a burning sensation and a feeling of pulling when it is pressed. Pain also radiates to areas of the body adjacent to hernias. It happens mainly during exercise, coughing and sneezing, as well as prolonged standing or sitting.

If you recognize the symptoms of a hernia, do not hesitate and see a specialist. Click to view the list of facilities that offer hernia surgery.

Hernia – structure and types

Each hernia, regardless of where it occurs, consists of:

1. hernia gates, i.e. the opening through which the contents of the hernia exit,
2. hernia channel, i.e. the structure through which organs make their way between tissues,
3. hernial sacthat surrounds the structures directly entering the sack. In the case of abdominal hernias, it is the peritoneum,
4. the contents of the herniawhich depends on its location. In the case of abdominal hernias, it may be, for example, in the small intestine.

The hernia most often faced by doctors is the abdominal hernia. It includes inguinal, umbilical, white border, femoral, scrotal hernia and in the postoperative scar.

The inguinal hernia accounts for as much as 70% of all abdominal hernias. We are talking about it when part of the intestine passes through the lower abdomen to the groin. Umbilical and femoral hernia occur mainly in women. The former often occurs during pregnancy, while the latter occurs when the abdominal organs move to the groin area through the femoral canal.

1. Is an umbilical hernia dangerous in pregnancy?

A frontier hernia may also develop in pregnant women, but it also affects men – especially those who do not avoid heavy strength training.

Postoperative hernia (in the postoperative scar) appears as a consequence of complications after surgery, most often in the wound healing process. It may be caused by the use of an incorrect surgical technique when closing the abdominal cavity, an infection or a hematoma in the wound.

Hernia – treatment

Surgery is the standard treatment for hernia. This is due to the fact that an unoperated hernia can become trapped. This complication occurs when the gates of the hernia close behind the intestines in the bag. The consequence of this state of affairs is intestinal obstruction, which results in its ischemia and then necrosis. This, in turn, can even lead to the death of the patient. This is why people with a hernia who experience sudden, severe pain at the site of the hernia, gas, fever and stool retention must go to the hospital as soon as possible.

1. What are the most common causes of intestinal obstruction?

A hernia is not operated on in only three cases: in pregnant women, children up to the age of two and people for whom the procedure would be too high-risk. In pregnant women, surgery is performed only in cases of inguinal hernia, which is a threat to health and life. Umbilical hernia in infants it usually closes itself up to the age of two. The procedure is performed only if this does not happen.

In people for whom the operation would be associated with too high risk (e.g. in the elderly, with severe systemic diseases), the so-called truss. Thanks to the ability to stabilize the integuments of the body, it prevents the movement of organs into the hernial sac. The belt is also used in the postoperative period – then it minimizes the risk of a possible recurrence of the disease. Pessaries are also used to treat bladder and rectal hernia, such as the Calmona silicone ring pessary available at Medonet Market in various sizes.

Hernia operation methods

The hernia can be operated either classically or laparoscopically. In the case of the traditional open technique, the so-called the voltage-free Lichtenstein method. The procedure performed under intravenous sedation with local anesthesia consists in returning the contents of the hernia to its place and then covering the hernia’s gates. polypropylene mesh – without the need to stretch the surrounding tissues. This approach prevents the recurrence of the disease and reduces pain. The surgeon’s incision is not large, so the resulting scar is barely visible.

1. Every scar is different. How to fight it effectively?

Laparoscopic procedures are also performed with the use of a polypropylene mesh. It is worth knowing that they are technically more complicated. Instead of cutting, the surgeon makes 3 or 4 holes through which he introduces a camera and a surgical tool. Proponents of this method believe that it is associated with the patient’s better well-being immediately after the procedure, but it cannot be clearly stated that its use will provide the patient with a faster return to full strength.

How Much Does a Hernia Surgery Cost?

1. What are the indications for laparoscopy?

Recommendations after hernia surgery

If the hernia was not extensive and the surgery proceeded without complications, the patient will be able to leave the hospital the same or the next day after the operation. The recovery time is individual and depends, among others, on on the age and condition of the patient, however, it is assumed that if he is in good shape, he can return to daily activities after 7 days, and to work after 14 days, if it is not physical.

Strenuous exercise should be avoided for about 1,5-3 months after the procedure. While you can usually return to light jogging after about 3 weeks, swimming and cycling only after six weeks.

While returning to full strength, the patient should follow a diet rich in fiber to prevent constipation. Heavy foods, spicy spices and alcohol should be avoided. It is worth knowing that individual recommendations may differ depending on the patient. Each organism is different, so all tips are selected individually.

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