The protruding bulge is the most common sign. It indicates that an organ or intestine is poking through the muscle wall. This swelling can be painful and grow. Some people may also experience a dull ache when lifting. While it may not be causing trouble now, it is very likely that it could lead to more serious complications later if it is not repaired. One of those complications is strangulation.
This occurs when the bulging tissue is squeezed by the muscle wall. As a result, the blood supply is cut off and the tissue begins to die. Because of the potentially serious complications, we generally recommend that those with a hernia undergo a simple procedure to ensure that it does not increase in size or grow worse. Some of these include:. An inguinal hernia In men, this is located in the groin area. In women, this is in the area affecting the ligament that supports the uterus.
Men are more likely to have an inguinal hernia than women. A femoral hernia Located in your inner thigh, this hernia is made of fatty tissue or part of the intestine. Umbilical hernia In this case, the hernia protrudes from the belly button. Hiatal hernia In a hiatal hernia, the stomach pushes through the chest cavity. This means there is a hole or opening in the diaphragm. The diaphragm is a muscle that separates the abdomen from your chest. Then, the muscle is stitched back together.
If the muscle is weak, a mesh may also be added for support. As a result, he or she has an unobstructed view of the surgical area. All surgery is done through a sophisticated computer interface. The result? The latest advancements in minimally invasive surgery. The daVinci Robot is perfect for hernia repair.
Our medical team is dedicated to your health. A surgeon inserts a thin, lighted scope through a small incision in the belly. Surgical tools to repair the hernia are inserted through other small incisions in the belly. Laparoscopic hernia surgery may have some advantages over open surgery in certain cases. Studies show that people have less pain after this type of surgery and can return to work and other activities more quickly than after open repair.
When is it safe to delay surgery? You and your doctor may want to put off surgery if: The hernia is small and you don't have any symptoms, or if the symptoms don't bother you much. The hernia can be pushed back into the belly or it goes away when you lie down.
If it cannot be pushed back, surgery must be done sooner. It may also be a good idea to put off surgery if: You are pregnant. You have other health problems that make surgery dangerous. Compare your options. Compare Option 1 Have surgery now Wait and see. Compare Option 2 Have surgery now Wait and see. Have surgery now Have surgery now You may be asleep during the operation. Or the doctor may keep you awake and simply numb the area around your belly button.
You may have an epidural, which is medicine that numbs your body below the point of the injection. You may remain awake during the operation. You don't need to stay overnight in the hospital. Surgery prevents the rare but serious problem called strangulation.
It relieves the bulge from the hernia and any swelling or feeling of heaviness, tugging, or burning in the area of the hernia. The hernia could come back. Risks of surgery include: A bad reaction to the anesthesia.
Infection and bleeding. Damage to the intestines or bladder if the surgery is a laparoscopic repair. Wait and see Wait and see You will get regular checkups to watch for changes. You watch for signs of problems related to the hernia, such as vomiting, pain, or a swollen belly. A rare but serious problem called strangulation could occur. Personal stories about considering umbilical hernia surgery These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers.
What matters most to you? Reasons to have surgery now Reasons to wait. My hernia doesn't bother me at all.
Surgery would be convenient for me at this time. This is not a good time for me to have surgery. My other important reasons: My other important reasons:. Where are you leaning now? Having surgery now Waiting to have surgery. What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts. True You're right. Many doctors recommend surgery because it prevents strangulation, which happens when a piece of tissue gets trapped inside the hernia and is cut off from its blood supply.
False Sorry, that's wrong. I'm not sure It may help to go back and read "Get the Facts. True No, that's wrong. If your hernia is small and your symptoms don't bother you, you can delay surgery. Sometimes, if the hernia is a recurrence, keyhole surgery is recommended. A single cut 5 to 10cm long is made just below or above your belly button, and the bulge is pushed back into place. Your surgeon may stitch a synthetic mesh over the weak spot to strengthen the wall of the abdomen.
The skin cut is closed with stitches and covered with a dressing. Two or three small cuts 1 to 2cm long are made in your lower abdomen.
Your surgeon will insert a tube-like telescopic camera to view the hernia by looking at pictures it sends to a monitor. The hernia is repaired using specially designed surgical instruments passed through the other cuts.
A synthetic mesh may be used to strengthen the wall of the abdomen. The skin cuts are closed with stitches. If you have general anaesthesia, you will need to rest until the effects of the anaesthetic have passed.
You may need pain relief to help with any discomfort as the anaesthetic wears off. You will need to arrange for someone to drive you home. You should try to have a friend or relative stay with you for the first 24 hours. Your nurse will give you some advice about caring for your healing wound before you go home. Your surgeon may prescribe antibiotics for a few days, although this is very rare.
If you are prescribed antibiotics it's important you finish the course. If you need pain relief, you can take over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.
Follow the instructions in the patient information that comes with the medicine and ask your pharmacist for advice. General anaesthesia temporarily affects your co-ordination and reasoning skills, so you must not drink alcohol, operate machinery or sign legal documents for 48 hours afterwards. Follow your surgeon's advice about driving. You shouldn't drive until you are confident that you could perform an emergency stop without discomfort.
You will feel some discomfort in the abdomen area for a week or two. Don't strain or stretch the healing wound as this will increase swelling and slow your recovery. Don't do any lifting or strenuous exercise for at least the first two weeks. However, light exercise, such as walking, will help to speed up your recovery.
Don't have a shower or bath for the first two days. However, the muscles do not always seal completely, leaving a weak spot through which an umbilical hernia can push. In most cases, an umbilical hernia experienced by an infant closes on its own by the age of 3 to 4 years. If a hernia is still present by the time the child is 4 years old, a doctor may recommend surgery.
Umbilical hernias can also develop in adults, especially if they are clinically overweight, lifting heavy objects, or have a persistent cough. Women who have had multiple pregnancies have a higher risk of developing an umbilical hernia. In adults, hernias are much more common in females. Among infants, the risk is about the same for males and females. An umbilical hernia looks like a lump in the navel. It might become more obvious when the infant is laughing, crying, going to the toilet, or coughing.
When the child is lying down or relaxed, the lump may shrink. It is not usually painful in children and infants. However, adults may feel pain or discomfort if a hernia is large. Infants : As the fetus develops in the womb, a small opening forms in the abdominal muscles. This opening allows the umbilical cord to pass through.
This connects the woman who is pregnant to the baby. Around the time of birth, or shortly after, the opening should close. If this does not happen completely, fatty tissue or part of the bowel can poke through, causing an umbilical hernia. Adults : If there is too much pressure on the abdominal wall, fatty tissue or a part of the bowel can poke through a weak section of abdominal muscle. Individuals at high risk are more likely to experience higher-than-normal pressure in areas where fatty tissue or parts of the gut can protrude.
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