How Do You Know if You Have an Incisional Hernia
Overview
What is a hernia?
A hernia occurs when an internal organ or other torso part protrudes through the wall of musculus or tissue that normally contains it. Most hernias occur within the abdominal cavity, between the chest and the hips.
The about common forms of hernia are:
- Inguinal hernia: In men, the inguinal culvert is a passageway for the spermatic string and blood vessels leading to the testicles. In women, the inguinal canal contains the round ligament that gives support for the womb. In an inguinal hernia, fat tissue or a role of the intestine pokes into the groin at the top of the inner thigh. This is the most mutual blazon of hernia, and affects men more often than women.
- Femoral hernia: Fatty tissue or office of the intestine protrudes into the groin at the height of the inner thigh. Femoral hernias are much less common than inguinal hernias and mainly affect older women.
- Umbilical hernia: Fat tissue or part of the intestine pushes through the belly virtually the navel (belly push).
- Hiatal (hiatus) hernia: Part of the breadbasket pushes upward into the breast cavity through an opening in the diaphragm (the horizontal sheet of muscle that separates the chest from the belly).
Other types of hernias include:
- Incisional hernia: Tissue protrudes through the site of an abdominal scar from a remote intestinal or pelvic functioning.
- Epigastric hernia: Fatty tissue protrudes through the abdominal area between the belly button and lower part of the sternum (breastbone).
- Spigelian hernia: The intestine pushes through the belly at the side of the abdominal muscle, below the omphalus.
- Diaphragmatic hernia: Organs in the abdomen move into the chest through an opening in the diaphragm.
How common are hernias?
Of all hernias that occur:
- 75 to 80% are inguinal or femoral.
- ii% are incisional or ventral.
- three to 10% are umbilical, affecting ten to 20% of newborns; most close past themselves past 5 years of age.
- 1 to 3% are other types.
Symptoms and Causes
What causes a hernia?
Inguinal and femoral hernias are due to weakened muscles that may have been present since nascence, or are associated with aging and repeated strains on the intestinal and groin areas. Such strain may come from physical exertion, obesity, pregnancy, frequent coughing, or straining on the toilet due to constipation.
Adults may get an umbilical hernia by straining the abdominal surface area, beingness overweight, having a long-lasting heavy cough or later on giving birth.
The cause of hiatal hernias is not fully understood, merely a weakening of the diaphragm with age or pressure on the abdomen could play a part.
What are the symptoms of a hernia?
A hernia in the abdomen or groin can produce a noticeable lump or bulge that tin be pushed back in, or that tin disappear when lying down. Laughing, crying, coughing, straining during a bowel motility, or concrete action may make the lump reappear after it has been pushed in. More symptoms of a hernia include:
- Swelling or bulge in the groin or scrotum (the pouch that contains the testicles).
- Increased pain at the site of the bulge.
- Pain while lifting.
- Increase in the bulge size over time.
- A dull aching sensation.
- A sense of feeling full or signs of bowel obstacle.
In the case of hiatal hernias there are no bulges on the exterior of the body. Instead, symptoms may include heartburn, indigestion, difficulty swallowing, frequent regurgitation (bringing food back up) and chest hurting.
Diagnosis and Tests
How is a hernia diagnosed?
It is ordinarily possible to meet or feel a burl in the area where a hernia has occurred by concrete test. As part of a male'southward typical physical exam for inguinal hernias, the doctor feels the area around the testicles and groin while the patient is asked to cough. In some cases, soft-tissue imaging like a CT browse will accurately diagnose the condition.
Management and Handling
What kind of doctor do yous meet for a hernia?
When you have a hernia, treatment will start with your chief care provider. If you need surgery to repair the hernia, you'll be referred to a general surgeon. In fact, ventral hernia repairs are one of the most common operations U.S. full general surgeons perform.
If you recollect you have a hernia, don't wait to seek help. A neglected hernia tin grow larger and more than painful — this can lead to complications and possibly emergency surgery. Early repair is more successful, less risky and offers a better recovery and upshot.
How is a hernia treated?
Hernias usually practice non get better on their own, and surgery may be the only mode to repair them. However, your doctor volition recommend the best therapy to address your hernia, and may refer yous to a surgeon. If the surgeon thinks it is necessary to repair your hernia, then the surgeon will tailor the method of repair that best meets your needs.
In the case of an umbilical hernia in a child, surgery may be recommended if the hernia is big or if it has not healed by the historic period of 4 to 5 years erstwhile. Past this age, a child can usually avert surgical complications.
If an adult has an umbilical hernia, surgery is usually recommended considering the condition will not probable improve on its own and the chance of complications is college.
One of iii 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 identify and the weakened musculus wall is stitched back together. Sometimes a type of mesh is implanted in the surface area to provide extra support.
- Laparoscopic surgery involves the same type of repairs. Nonetheless, instead of a cut to the outside of the abdomen or groin, tiny incisions are made to let for the insertion of surgical tools to consummate 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 exist used for some smaller hernias, or weak areas, it can at present likewise be used to reconstruct the abdominal wall.
Each type of surgery has its advantages and disadvantages. The best arroyo will be decided by the patient's surgeon.
What tin happen if a hernia is non treated?
Other than umbilical hernias in babies, hernias volition non disappear on their own. Over time, a hernia can grow larger and more painful or tin develop complications.
Complications of an untreated inguinal or femoral hernia may include:
- Obstruction (incarceration): Office of the intestine becomes stuck in the inguinal canal, causing nausea, vomiting, tum pain, and a painful lump in the groin.
- Strangulation: Function of the intestine is trapped in a way that cuts off its blood supply. In such cases, emergency surgery (within hours of occurring) is necessary to prevent tissue death.
Prevention
How can a hernia exist prevented?
- Maintain ideal body weight by eating a healthy diet and exercising.
- Eat enough fruits, vegetables and whole grains to avoid constipation.
- Use correct form when lifting weights or heavy objects. Avoid lifting anything that is beyond your power.
- See a md when yous are ill with persistent coughs or sneezing.
- Don't fume, equally the habit tin can pb to coughing that triggers a hernia.
Outlook / Prognosis
What can be expected following surgical treatment for a hernia?
After surgery, you will exist given instructions. These include what diet to follow, how to care for the incision site, and how to take care to avoid physical strain. Hernias may recur regardless of the repair operations. This is sometimes acquired by inherent tissue weakness or protracted healing. Smoking and obesity are too major chance factors for hernia recurrence.
Source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15757-hernia
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