06/07/2025
Hernia Types, Causes, and Treatments
Sharing a video of my patient with ventral (abdominal wall ) hernia which was irreducible causing severe abdominal pain and vomiting. The patient was managed successfully by Laparscopic surgery amd went home within 24 hours after repair of hernia with mesh
What is HERNIA ?
A hernia occurs when an internal body part protrudes through a weakened area of surrounding muscle or tissue that would usually be able to contain it. Hernia are very common and estimates suggests that around one in ten of us develops a hernia at some point in their lifetime.
Types of hernia
VENTRAL HERNIA
A ventral hernia is a bulge through an opening in the muscles on the abdomen. The hernia can occur at a past incision site (incisional), above the navel (epigastric), or other weak muscle sites (primary abdominal).
In the majority of cases, hernia develop in the abdomen, caused by a weakness in the abdominal wall that eventually leads to an opening or “defect” developing. Tissues or organs that usually push against the abdominal wall then push through the wall instead. The resulting bulge, which can often been seen underneath the skin, is referred to as a hernia.
INGUINAL HERNIA
The most common type of hernia are the inguinal hernia, which occurs when a part of the bowel or fatty tissue squeezes through the abdominal wall into the groin area. This form of hernia is often associated with aging or straining of the abdomen.
FEMORAL HERNIA
Another common hernia is the femoral hernia, where a bowel part or fatty tissue protrudes into the groin area, at the top of the inner thigh. Femoral hernias are also linked to ageing and abdominal strain.
HIATAL HERNIA
Another well known form of hernia is the hiatus hernia, where a part of the stomach pushes through into the chest through a weak point in the diaphragm. The cause of this hernia is not well understood, but may be related to the diaphragm becoming weaker as a person ages.
In many cases, hernia cause no or only mild symptoms, but depending on how severe the condition is, hernia can cause several complications. Inguinal hernias, for example, may gradually increase in size and eventually press on the sc***um in males, leading to pain and swelling. In the case of hiatus hernia, stomach acids may leak into the esophagus causing heartburn, regurgitation, and even bleeding.
Most hernias are reducible, which means that the herniated contents can be manipulated back into the abdominal cavity. However, some hernias are irreducible (also called incarcerated hernias) and cannot be pushed back to their original location.
COMPLICATIONS OF HERNIA
Strangulation - Pressure placed on the hernial contents may compromise the blood supply to a section of an organ or tissue, leading to ischemia, cell death and even gangrene. A strangulated hernia is life threatening and requires immediate surgery
Obstruction - When part of the gut herniates, the bowel contents may no longer be able to pass through the herniated area, leading to cramps, absence of defecation and vomiting.
Due to the risk of a hernia becoming strangulated or causing obstruction, people with the condition should visit their accident and emergency department if they develop any of the following symptoms:
Sudden and severe pain
Nausea and vomiting
Wind and constipation
Hernia feels tender or firm and won’t move back into its original location
A strangulated hernia or obstructed bowel are life-threatening conditions that require immediate surgical treatment.
COMMON SYMPTOMS
Visible bulge on the abdomen, especially with coughing or straining
Pain or pressure at the hernia site
Sharp abdominal pain and vomiting may mean that the intestine has slipped through the hernia sac and is strangulated. This is a surgical emergency and immediate treatment is needed.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Surgical Procedure
Open hernia repair (OVHR)
An incision is made near the site, and the hernia is repaired with mesh or by suturing (sewing) the muscle closed.
Laparoscopic Hernia Repair (LVHR)
The hernia is repaired by mesh or sutures inserted through instruments placed into small incisions in the abdomen.
