Hernia Treatment in India

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What is Hernia Surgery?

Hernia occurs when the contents of a body cavity, such as abdominal fatty tissue or segments of the intestine, protrude beyond the normal confines of that space.

A thin membrane surrounds all the contents within the cavity. While hernia may be asymptomatic, it can lead to intense pain. When the contents protrude through an opening, it exerts significant pressure on blood vessels, potentially cutting off the blood supply. This situation requires urgent medical or surgical intervention, as blood supplies oxygen to the tissues.

Types of Hernia

Femoral Hernia : The femoral nerve, vein, and artery traverse the femoral canal, exiting the abdominal cavity to enter the thigh. A bulge in the mid-thigh region, beneath the inguinal crease, is indicative of a femoral hernia. This type of hernia is commonly observed in women, and in some cases, the femoral hernias cannot be either strangulated (with compromised blood supply) or manually pushed back into place (irreducible). It's important to note that not all hernias are strangulated or irreducible. Any irreducible hernia requires a comprehensive examination by a medical professional.

Incisional Hernia : Abdominal surgery can result in a weakness in the abdominal wall, potentially leading to the formation of a hernia. This occurrence is seen in 2-10% of all abdominal surgical procedures. Incisional hernias, specifically, have the tendency to recur even after undergoing surgical repair.

Epigastric Hernia : Epigastric hernias rarely contain intestine; instead, they typically consist of fatty tissue. These hernias manifest between the lower part of the rib cage in the midline of the abdomen and the navel. They are generally painless and cannot be manually pushed back into the abdomen.

Inguinal (Groin) Hernia : This hernia type is predominantly observed in men, occurring 25 times more frequently than in women. Inguinal hernias constitute approximately 75 percent of all abdominal-wall hernias. There are two main types of inguinal hernias: direct and indirect. Both varieties manifest in the groin area where the skin of the thigh meets the inguinal crease (the torso), presenting as a bulge in the groin region.

Direct Inguinal Hernia : This hernia emerges within the region of the indirect hernia, exploiting the naturally thinner section of the abdominal wall. Typically occurring in elderly and middle-aged individuals, this type of hernia develops as the abdominal wall weakens over time.

Indirect Inguinal Hernia : An indirect hernia follows a pathway formed during fetal development when the testicles descend from the abdomen into the scrotum. While this pathway typically closes before birth, there are instances where it may remain open, leading to the development of a hernia later in life.

Obturator Hernia : A rare type of hernia often observed in women is the obturator hernia, which protrudes from the pelvic cavity through an opening in the obturator foramen (pelvic bone). This hernia may not present with bowel obstruction but can lead to symptoms such as vomiting and nausea. Diagnosis can be challenging as there is no noticeable bulging associated with this type of hernia.

Spigelian Hernia : A Spigelian hernia forms at the border of the rectus abdominis muscle along the spigelian fascia. This type of hernia is also considered rare.

Umbilical Hernia : Umbilical hernia is a common type that can be observed at birth, characterized by a protrusion at the umbilicus (belly button). This occurs when the opening in the abdominal wall fails to close properly. Small umbilical hernias typically close on their own by the age of two. However, larger umbilical hernias may require surgical intervention between the ages of 2-4 years. Additionally, this type of hernia can develop later in life, especially in women who have given birth or are pregnant, as the weakened spot in the abdominal wall may persist.

Who should consider Hernia Surgery?

The surgery is intended for individuals who have the following conditions :

  • If the hernia is growing larger.
  • If the hernia is restricting your daily activities or causing any discomfort.
  • If you are worried about the bowel getting trapped.

Symptoms of Hernia

Symptoms of Strangulated hernia include :

  • This hernia is a surgical or medical emergency.
  • Strangulated hernia is an irreducible hernia where entrapped intestine has its blood supply cut off.
  • A person may feel ill or may have fever.
  • Sometimes there are symptoms of vomiting and nausea (bowel obstruction).
  • Pain is always there in this type of hernia that is followed rapidly by tenderness.

Symptoms of Reducible hernia include :

  • Reducible hernia may be pushed back into the abdomen unless very large.
  • It could appear as a new lump in the other abdominal area or groin area.
  • Pain can be noticed first before discovering of the lump.
  • This hernia may ache but is not tender when touched.

Symptoms of Irreducible hernia include :

  • This type of hernia is also known as incarcerated hernia.
  • It may show signs of bowel obstruction like vomiting and nausea.
  • It could also be a painful enlargement of earlier reducible hernia which cannot return to the abdominal cavity when pushed or on its own.
  • This may also result in strangulation.
  • It could also be chronic without a feeling of pain.

Causes of Hernia

Hernias can be present at birth or develop later in life. Increased pressure in the abdominal cavity can contribute to hernia formation. This includes :

  • Coughing
  • Chronic lung disease
  • Obesity
  • Fluid in the abdominal cavity
  • Heavy lifting
  • A family history of hernias that increase the chances of developing a hernia
  • Straining during urination or a bowel movement

Hernia Repair

The surgical procedure for correcting a hernia is referred to as hernia repair, alternatively known as herniorrhaphy. There are two types of hernia repair :

Laparoscopic Hernia Repair : This minimally invasive procedure requires small incisions in the skin through which long-handled surgical instruments and a laparoscope are inserted. The entire operation is conducted under general anesthesia and involves a thorough assessment of the patient's health, including a physical examination, history review, EKG, and lab work. Patients do not experience pain during the surgery. Carbon dioxide gas is used to inflate the abdomen, facilitating the doctor's view of internal structures. To expose the weakness in the abdominal wall, the inner lining of the abdomen (peritoneum) is incised. A patch is then affixed below the peritoneum to reinforce the weakened area, and the inner lining of the abdomen is sutured.

Traditional (open) Hernia Repair : In open hernia surgery, a significant incision is made in the skin, creating an opening several inches long. Through this incision, the hernia is repaired.

Benefits of Laparoscopic Hernia Repair Surgery

  • Quick recovery time and the patient can return to its daily activities earlier.
  • 3 small incisions are made instead of 1 large incision.
  • Less postoperative pain.
  • A quick return to work.

Cost of Hernia Surgery in India

India is globally acknowledged for its expertise in surgical and medical procedures, particularly in the realm of hernia treatments. The cost-effectiveness of hernia surgery in India serves as an additional factor attracting a considerable number of patients from around the world.

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