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Home »Treatment » Laparoscopy » Hernia Repair
Overview
Hernia is a defect in the sheath or muscle of the abdominal wall, due to this defect abdominal contents protrude into the superficial space of the abdomen. It occurs either through the natural openings like Inguinal Canal or Femoral canal or it occurs due to the weakness of the sheath or the abdominal musculature. Eg. Ventral Hernia.
Hernia may either be present in a person from the time of his birth or a person may acquire it during his lifetime due to certain living or working conditions.
Types of Hernia
Common Hernias seen in practice are:
INGUINAL HERNIA also known as Groin Hernia - commonly occurs in males.
Congenital- Which occurs from birth.
Acquired- Acquired during the lifetime. The common conditions leading to this Hernia are-
- Lifting of heavy weights.
- Doing strenuous exercises.
- Later in life when the abdominal musculature becomes weak.
- In certain pre-existing medical conditions like, Bronchial Asthma, Chronic Constipation and Urinary Bladder outlet obstruction
FEMORAL HERNIA
This occurs below the inguinal ligament and through the Femoral Canal. This commonly occurs in females.
VENTRAL HERNIA
This hernia occurs through the anterior abdominal wall. They are either Congenital (mostly umbilical hernia through the umbilicus) or Acquired. The causes for which are:
- When increased amount of fats acts as a pile driver in obese patients, it leads to a defect in the sheath and thus leading to Hernia Formation.
- Hernia which occurs after surgery due to use of a faulty technique of closure of the abdomen by the surgeon is called incisional hernia.
- Poor musculature of the patient.
- Wound infection after the surgery.
Treatment
Through the ages the treatment of Hernia has gone through various changes and modifications. Significant changes that have taken place in the treatment of Hernia are:
- Open Surgery with suturing technique - now obsolete
- Open Surgery with Mesh technique. This is practiced worldwide and in most Centres.
- Laparoscopic surgery (Key hole surgery) with mesh. This is being done in advanced Centres with excellent results
- Most of the hernias can be treated by Laparoscopy. In this procedure, small 3-4 holes are made in the abdomen depending on the site and size of hernia. A telescope is inserted through one of the holes and very specialized Laparoscopic instruments through the other holes. Watching on a TV monitor the surgery is carried out and a mesh is placed at the site.
Advantages Of Laparoscopy
- No long scar, so better cosmetic results.
- Early recovery. Either sides of a bilateral Inguinal hernia can be managed by the same 3 holes.
- Fast recovery. Early return to work
- No restriction of lifting heavy weights subsequently.
- Less then 1% recurrence
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