Hernia

Hernia is the protrusion of the whole or part of a viscous from its normal position through an opening in the walls of its containing cavity.

Causes of hernia

Hernia can be either congenital or acquired. Increased intra-abdominal pressure or collagen derangement may also increase the risk of developing hernia.

Types of hernia

Hernia can be classified either by their clinical features or their sites. Clinical features include reducible, irreducible, strangulated and incarcerated / obstructed hernia. Sites include inguinal, femoral, umbilical and paraumbilical, incisional, epigastric, obturator, etc.

Symptoms

If you have any of the following symptoms, you may be experiencing hernia:

˙    A lump over the abdominal wall (eg. Groin)

˙    The lump may increase in size progressively

˙    Occasional pain

˙    Disappear when lying flat

˙    Lump size increases if patient is in standing position or coughing

Complications of hernia

When the hernia becomes strangulated, the blood supply to the content of hernia is impaired. The content becomes ischemia and then gangrenous, resulting in peritonitis.

Emergent operation is then required for this life threatening condition. You may experience severe pain over the lump, which could not be reduced. The overlying skin becomes redden and the pain will become severer and then spread out to the entire abdomen

Hernia treatment

Surgical repair is the only effective treatment for hernia. Conservative treatment is the exception rather the rule. Open hernia repair with mesh and laparoscopic hernia repair are two commonly used surgical treatment.

Open and laparoscopic surgeries are both common for hernia repair, decisions are made according to patients’ condition. Open surgery is more preferred for patients with recurrent hernia.

Reference: psclinic.com.hk/

The information aims to provide educational purpose only. Anyone reading it should consult

Surgery Specialist before considering treatment and should not rely on the information

above.