procedures
Hernias:
A hernia represents a “hole” in the muscle or fascia (gristle) of the abdominal wall which leads to a protrusion of the abdominal contents. Although very common, it can cause discomfort and does place a patient at risk of incarceration or strangulation of the hernia, in which the tissue inside the hernia loses its blood supply and may die. All hernias should be discussed with your physician because they are potentially dangerous.
There are many types of hernias. The most common include inguinal or groin hernias, which affect men much more often than women. Umbilical or navel hernias are also extremely common. Patients may develop incisional hernias after abdominal surgery, especially if infection has occurred.
Inguinal hernias can often be repaired in a laparoscopic fashion, minimizing postoperative pain and recovery time, but still providing an excellent long-term repair. Almost all hernias are repaired with the placement of mesh, which has become the standard procedure for hernia repair. The mesh is usually made of a plastic screen or an absorbable biologic material. Your hernia will be repaired in a manner specific to its location and nature. The vast majority of time, we are able to repair your hernia in a most definitive fashion with an extremely low rate of recurrence. Postoperative restrictions will depend upon the location of the hernia, the size of the hernia, and your overall health.