It is a bulge or a protrusion of an internal organ through the structure or the muscle that usually contains it. There are several types of hernia:
– Inguinal hernia: This is the most common type of hernia and occur when fatty tissue
or part of your bowel pokes through into your groin at the top of your inner thigh.
– Femoral hernia: They are less common than inguinal hernias and tend to affect more women than men. They also occur at the groin at the top of your inner thigh.
– Umbilical hernia: Occur when fatty tissue or part of your bowel pokes through your tummy near your belly button
– Epigastric hernia: where fatty tissue pokes through your tummy, between your belly button and the lower part of your breastbone
– Spigelian hernia: where part of your bowel pokes through your tummy at the side of your abdominal muscle, usually below your belly button
– Incisional hernia: where tissue pokes through a surgical wound in your tummy that has not fully healed
– Parastomal hernia: where part of your bowel pokes through your tummy at site of a stoma
Hernias can be repaired using surgery to push the bulge back into place and strengthen the
weakness in the abdominal wall. The operation is usually recommended if you have a hernia that causes severe or persistent symptoms, or if any serious complications develop such as obstruction (where bowel becomes stuck) or strangulation (where bowel loses its blood supply). There are 2 ways a hernia repair can be performed: Open surgery where one cut is made, or Laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery where several smaller cuts are made. The type of surgery depends on the location and size of hernia and your general fitness for surgery. Most hernias require repair with mesh to strengthen the abdominal wall, unless the defect is very small where repair can be made with sutures only.
You should be able to go home the same day or the day after surgery. It’s important to follow the instructions you’re given while in hospital about how to look after yourself. This includes eating a good diet to avoid constipation, caring for the wound, and avoiding strenuous activities. Most people make a full recovery from inguinal hernia repair within 6 weeks, with many being able to return to work and light activities within 2 weeks.