HERNIA SURGERY
A hernia is the abnormal exit of tissue or an organ, such as the bowel, through the wall of the cavity in which it normally resides. Various types of hernias can occur, most commonly involving the abdomen, and specifically the groin. Groin hernias are most commonly of the inguinal type but may also be femoral. Other types of hernias include hiatus, incisional, and umbilical hernias. Symptoms are present in about 66% of people with groin hernias. This may include pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen, especially with coughing, exercise, urinating, or defecating. Often, it gets worse throughout the day and improves when lying down. A bulge may appear at the site of the hernia, which becomes larger when bending down. Groin hernias occur more often on the right than the left side. The main concern is bowel strangulation, where the blood supply to part of the bowel is blocked. This usually produces severe pain and tenderness in the area. Hiatus or Hiatal hernias often result in heartburn but may also cause chest pain or pain while eating.
TYPES OF HERNIA
Most hernias occur within the abdominal cavity, between the chest and the hips.
The most common forms of hernia are:
Inguinal hernia: In men, the inguinal canal is a passageway for the spermatic cord and blood vessels leading to the testicles.
Femoral hernias are much less common than inguinal hernias and mainly affect older women.
Umbilical hernia: Fatty tissue or part of the intestine pushes through the abdomen near the navel (belly button). 3 to 10% are umbilical, affecting 10 to 20% of newborns; most close by themselves by 5 years of age.
Hiatal (hiatus) hernia: Part of the stomach pushes up into the chest cavity through an opening in the diaphragm (the horizontal sheet of muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen).
Other types of hernias include:
Incisional hernia: Tissue protrudes through the site of an abdominal scar from a remote abdominal or pelvic operation.
Epigastric hernia: Fatty tissue protrudes through the abdominal area between the navel and lower part of the sternum (breastbone).
Spigelian hernia: The intestine pushes through the abdomen at the side of the abdominal muscle, below the navel.
Diaphragmatic hernia: Organs in the abdomen move into the chest through an opening in the diaphragm.
CAUSES OF DEVELOPMENT HERNIAS
Hernias are caused by a combination of muscle weakness and strain. Depending on its cause, a hernia can develop quickly or over a long period
Some common causes of muscle weakness or strain that can lead to a hernia include:
A congenital condition occurs during development in the womb and is present from birth.
aging
Damage from an injury or surgery.
Strenuous exercise or lifting heavy weights.
Chronic coughing or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD).
Pregnancy, especially having multiple pregnancies.
Constipation, which causes strain when having a bowel movement.
Being overweight or having obesity.
Ascites.
WARNING SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
For inguinal, femoral, umbilical, and incisional hernias, symptoms may include:
An obvious swelling beneath the skin of the abdomen or the groin. It may be tender, and it may disappear when lying down.
A heavy feeling in the abdomen sometimes comes with constipation or blood in the stool.
Discomfort in the abdomen or groin when lifting or bending over.
A burning or aching sensation at the bulge.
Weakness or pressure in the groin.
Heartburn.
A tough time swallowing.
Shooting pain.
Vomiting.
Constipation.
Discomfort and swelling around the testicles.
DIAGNOSE PROCESS
Abdominal ultrasound. An abdominal ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the structures inside the body.
Abdominal CT scan. An abdominal CT scan combines X-rays with computer technology to produce an image.
Abdominal MRI scan. An abdominal MRI scan uses a combination of strong magnets and radio waves to create an image.
X-rays of your digestive tract. A healthcare professional will have to drink a liquid containing diatrizoate meglumine/diatrizoate sodium (Gastrografin) or a liquid barium solution. These liquids help the digestive tract appear highlighted on X-ray images.
Endoscopy. During an endoscopy, a healthcare professional threads a small camera attached to a tube down the throat and into the oesophagus and stomach.
TREATMENT
For a hernia without symptoms, the usual course of action is to watch and wait, but this can be risky for certain types of hernia, such as femoral hernias. It remains unclear whether non-emergency surgery is worthwhile for hernia repair in cases of an inguinal hernia without symptoms that can be pushed back into the abdomen. Others recommend surgical repair to remove the risk of later strangulation of the gut, a complication where blood supply is cut off to an area of tissue, which requires an emergency procedure. The only way to effectively treat a hernia is through surgical repair. The surgery depends on the size of the hernia and the severity of symptoms. Hiatal hernia, over-the-counter (OTC), and prescription medications that reduce stomach acid can relieve your discomfort and improve symptoms.
Three types of hernia surgery can be performed:
Open surgery, in which a cut is made into the body at the location of the hernia. The protruding tissue is set back in place and the weakened muscle wall is stitched back together. Sometimes a type of mesh is implanted in the area to provide extra support.
Laparoscopic surgery involves the same type of repairs. However, instead of a cut to the outside of the abdomen or groin, tiny incisions are made to allow for the insertion of surgical tools to complete the procedure.
Robotic hernia repair, like laparoscopic surgery, uses a laparoscope and is performed with small incisions. With robotic surgery, the surgeon is seated at a console in the operating room and handles the surgical instruments from the console. While robotic surgery can be used for some smaller hernias or weak areas, it can now also be used to reconstruct the abdominal wall.
Comments
Post a Comment