TyPes of Hernia
A hernia is a gap or a hole in the strong tissue that holds muscles in place. A hernia occurs when the inside layers of the abdominal muscle (belly) have weakened, resulting in a bulge or tear. In the same way that an inner tube pushes through a damaged tire, the inner lining of the abdomen pushes through the weakened area of the abdominal wall to form a small balloon called hernia sac. This can allow a loop of intestine or abdominal tissue to push into the sac.
A hernia does not get better over time, nor will it go away by itself. There are no exercises or physical therapy regimen that can make a hernia go away. Dr. Arevalo is one of the best surgeons in Houston, Texas that can repair different types of hernias by using robotic hernia surgery, offering faster recovery and less pain.
A hernia does not get better over time, nor will it go away by itself. There are no exercises or physical therapy regimen that can make a hernia go away. Dr. Arevalo is one of the best surgeons in Houston, Texas that can repair different types of hernias by using robotic hernia surgery, offering faster recovery and less pain.
What Are The Most Common Types of Hernia?
INGUINAL HERNIA
Inguinal hernias are located in the lower abdomen just above the leg crease, it typically contains intestines or fat tissue from the abdomen which protrudes into the inguinal or groin area; The resulting bulge can cause abdominal pain, especially when you cough, walk, run, or lift heavy objects.
Additional inguinal hernia symptoms include:
- Burning
- Weakness
- Pressure in the groin area
- Swelling of the scrotum in males and swelling on the labium in women.
At the groin area, there is a natural opening called the internal ring which is a common area for a hernia to develop. Risk factors for developing an inguinal hernia include smoking, chronic cough, obesity, heavy lifting, straining during a bowel movement, or urination. Inguinal hernias do not close spontaneously and do not get better over time, as a matter of fact, they get bigger with time, and pose a risk for incarceration & strangulation. Inguinal hernias can now be repaired using robotic hernia surgery, offering faster recovery and less abdominal pain.
UMBILICAL HERNIA
The umbilicus is a natural opening in the abdominal wall between the rectus muscles. Factors that increase the pressure inside the abdomen contributes to umbilical hernia development in adults, including pregnancy in women, coughing, obesity, heavy lifting, straining during a bowel movement, or urination.
The resulting umbilical hernia or bulging at the navel generally consists of protruding tissue or intestines. With time and the persistent intraabdominal pressure, the hole between the muscles can enlarge, making a risk for the intestines to get incarcerated, “trapped” or even strangulated resulting in serious complications. Umbilical hernias can be repaired simply without the need for mesh if they are small. For wide umbilical hernias, robotic hernia surgery offers less pain and faster recovery.
The resulting umbilical hernia or bulging at the navel generally consists of protruding tissue or intestines. With time and the persistent intraabdominal pressure, the hole between the muscles can enlarge, making a risk for the intestines to get incarcerated, “trapped” or even strangulated resulting in serious complications. Umbilical hernias can be repaired simply without the need for mesh if they are small. For wide umbilical hernias, robotic hernia surgery offers less pain and faster recovery.
FEMORAL HERNIA
Femoral hernias appear as a painful lump in the inner upper part of the thigh or below your groin crease. The hernia pushes through a weak spot into an area called the femoral canal. Unlike inguinal hernias, femoral hernias occur more frequently in women, particularly with older age. This happens because of the wider shape in the female pelvis.
Coughing or straining can make the lump appear, and they can disappear when you lie down.
Unlike some other types of hernia, treatment for femoral hernias, it's almost always recommended straight away because there's a higher risk of incarceration, small bowel obstruction, and strangulation. This hernia can be repaired with robotic hernias surgery in the same manner as an inguinal hernia.
Coughing or straining can make the lump appear, and they can disappear when you lie down.
Unlike some other types of hernia, treatment for femoral hernias, it's almost always recommended straight away because there's a higher risk of incarceration, small bowel obstruction, and strangulation. This hernia can be repaired with robotic hernias surgery in the same manner as an inguinal hernia.
EPIGASTRIC HERNIA
The epigastric hernia occurs just below the breastbone to the navel (belly button). Occasionally, it causes no discomfort at all, but you may feel abdominal pain, or bloating after eating as the fat tissue or intestines protrude through the hernia hole. Robotic hernia surgery repair is the optimal method used to treat this condition, as it allows repair of epigastric hernias, keeping scarring to a minimum.
INCISIONAL HERNIA
An incision in your abdominal wall will always be an area of potential weakness. Whether a hernia occurs at the incision site is based on the surgical technique used to close the incision and risk factors for hernia formation such as obesity, smoking, chronic cough, straining, rapid degradable suture material, or wound infection at the surgery site. These incisional hernias can occur immediately or even years later.
Incisional hernias can vary in size from small to very large. The consequence of unrepaired enlarging and symptomatic hernias include the inability to re-introduce the intestines back into the abdomen, posture alterations, pain, decrease quality of life, and cosmesis. Dr. Arevalo is among the few surgeons in Houston, Texas to repair these hernias by using robotic hernia repair surgery, offering less pain and faster recovery.
Incisional hernias can vary in size from small to very large. The consequence of unrepaired enlarging and symptomatic hernias include the inability to re-introduce the intestines back into the abdomen, posture alterations, pain, decrease quality of life, and cosmesis. Dr. Arevalo is among the few surgeons in Houston, Texas to repair these hernias by using robotic hernia repair surgery, offering less pain and faster recovery.
