A hernia occurs when there is a weakness in a part of the muscle layer that encloses and supports the abdominal organs. A hernia can be identified as a lump that is felt beneath the skin at the site of the weakness in the muscle layer. Quite commonly the lump will appear when movement or straining causes the abdominal contents to be pushed through the area of weakness. This can cause symptoms of pain and discomfort meaning patients avoid trigger activities such as lifting or straining. If the abdominal contents (usually either bowel or internal fat) become lodged, or stuck, in the hernia this risks compromising its blood supply, meaning an emergency operation is required to salvage it.
The most common site of a hernia is in the groin. Another common site for a hernia is at the umbilicus where there is a natural weakness of the tissues. These hernias are more common in women after pregnancy or in people who are overweight.
An incisional hernia can occur through the previous abdominal scar. A hiatus hernia is a weakness in the diaphragm which leads to a protrusion or herniation of the stomach from the abdomen through into the thorax. These hernias are commonly associated with heartburn type symptoms.
Hernias can be repaired by either the traditional open approach or the more modern laparoscopic (keyhole) approach. The advantage of laparoscopic hernia repair is that there is less scarring, less dissection of tissues, and less chance of developing nerve damage after the procedure and therefore less risk of persistant pain or numbness in the area. Return to normal activities and work is also faster with the laparoscopic approach