A hernia is a condition in which an internal organ protrudes or prolapses from its normal anatomical position, through a congenital or acquired opening. The vast majority of hernias affect the abdominal wall, which is made up of superimposed muscles and the connective tissue sheets (fascia) that cover them. The weakness and stretching of these muscles, combined with the increased pressure within the abdomen, contributes to the protrusion of the abdominal organs (small or large intestine, caecum) through the hernia gate.
Hernia group types are as the following:
Inguinal hernias (inguinal and femoral hernias) are grouped according to their position in relation to the internal or external inguinal ring and the inguinal ligament. Inguinal hernias are more common in males, and the hernia develops through a canal formed during the fetal descent of the testicle. In women, true inguinal hernias are less common, and femoral hernias are more common.
The vast majority of abdominal hernias are inguinal hernias, with other hernias affecting other areas such as umbilical hernias, hernias around the navel, hernias resulting from previous surgery, and hernias of the groin and pelvic area. It can also be partly genetic, being more common in some families, but there are also predisposing conditions such as obesity, smoking and pregnancy.
Hernias are associated with bulging, which are usually painless at first, but can grow over time, causing a variety of complaints.
Symptoms and signs of inguinal hernia include:
Detection of an abdominal hernia is usually done by physical examination, but abdominal CT and MRI scans can also detect the presence of hernias.
The size of the bump or bulge may vary, and it may become worse with more intense movement. Hernia contents can usually be reinserted into the abdominal cavity through the hernia gate, but without treatment there is a risk of hernia extrusion. In the event of an exclusion, the hernia contents cannot return to the abdominal cavity, which may compromise the blood supply to the excluded intestinal segment, creating an emergency situation with the risk of life-threatening intestinal necrosis, which can only be treated with urgent acute surgery.
There are different solutions for the surgical treatment of hernias, for the closure of the hernia gate and for the reinforcement of the abdominal connective tissue skeleton, which are determined on an individual basis. This is true for the type of approach (open or laparoscopic surgery), the size and type of mesh or, in rare cases, the omission of mesh.
The most ideal choice is based on the size of the abdominal hernia and individual factors such as tissue size and abdominal circumference.
After a laparoscopic hernia operation, the patient can return home the next day, but physical rest is important for a few weeks, followed by gradual exercise and a balanced lifestyle to ensure a speedy recovery, which should be followed for 1-2 weeks to return to a normal lifestyle. The skin wound will take 7-10 days to heal and the stitches will be removed. Complete relief from symptoms is expected in about 4 weeks, by which time you will be able to play more active sports.
After the abdominal hernia repair operation
Post-operative complications of inguinal hernia surgery are rare, depend on the associated diseases or anatomical features, and most of them resolve with medication and only rarely require further surgery.
Dr. Czeller Dániel
általános sebész szakorvos
magyar, angol
Doctors magyar, angol language
18+
Patients 18+ from ages and up
Dr. Hidas Tamás
sebész szakorvos, sérvspecialista
magyar, angol, német
Doctors magyar, angol, német language
15+
Patients 15+ from ages and up
