Hernia typically happens when the body’s insides bulge through a weakness in the muscles or tissue that contains it or protrude through an opening. The different types of hernias usually involve one of the abdominal organs getting through the abdominal cavity’s wall. They can result from surgery, birth disorders, or injuries. At other times, they can develop gradually with regular muscular wear and tear as the person ages.
If you are looking for hernia surgery in Miami, consider reading this article first, as our expert team discusses the most common signs of hernia, hernia surgery, and what patients can expect from the treatment.
Where Do Hernias Most Often Develop?
Signs of a hernia can be most commonly felt in the following places:
- In the groin area, on the lower part of the abdominal wall
- In the lower chest region (through the diaphragm)
- The organs may also bulge from incisions made previously because of abdominal surgery
- Along the front middling of the abdomen
Different Types of Hernias
Below are the most common specific hernia types that healthcare providers address:
- Inguinal hernias are the most common types of hernias, as they are responsible for around 75% of all cases. They are more common in men and develop when the bowel’s lower part manages to protrude into the inguinal canal, which is the passageway running down the inner thighs.
- Hiatal hernias are also common hernia types that patients may develop during their lifetime. They occur when the diaphragm’s opening widens, and the stomach’s top pushes through the chest’s opening.
- Incisional hernia happens when tissue pushes through former incisions that were made in the abdominal wall that become weak over time. Usually, these are unpleasant side effects of abdominal surgical interventions.
- Femoral hernias are less common groin hernia types that happen in the femoral canal, which is just underneath the inguinal canal. In most cases, fatty tissue pokes through these passageways.
- Perineal hernia develops when tissue or organs manage to get through a weakness or openings of the pelvic floor into the abdominal cavity. These are a type of hernia that’s considered relatively rare.
- Umbilical hernia develops when a part of the intestine manages to poke through the abdominal wall near the area of the belly button. Most of these are present from birth or congenital.
- Congenital diaphragmatic hernias are considered a serious congenital disability in which the diaphragm cannot close completely during the development of the fetus. As a result, the abdominal organs may slip up to the chest cavity. And as the organs grow, they can crowd the lungs.
- Ventral hernia develops in the front abdominal wall, including incisional and umbilical hernias. For example, an epigastric hernia is a ventral hernia that develops above the navel.
Altogether, the different types of hernias are relatively common, with some of them being more prevalent than others. Inguinal hernias are the most prevalent, followed by hiatal hernias. Congenital and incisional hernias occur in about 10%-15% of all cases, while all other types of hernias take up only another ten percent.
Most types of hernias aren’t serious, but without the necessary medical assistance, they can become severe over time. The protruding organs can get stuck, being unable to get back in their places, causing pain, and in more severe cases, the tissue may get cut off from the blood supply leading to tissue death.
Because most hernias progressively worsen over time, almost all of them will require hernia surgery at one point.
Causes and Common Hernia Symptoms
Different hernias will come with different symptoms; not all cases will produce noticeable signs. The “signature” sign of a hernia may be the visible bulge or lump that can appear in specific physical positions and during some activities but goes back later.
Other signs of hernia may include dull aches, pressure, or a pinching sensation when the organs protrude.
Hernias may also come out when people are straining, coughing, laughing, or lifting something.
As mentioned above, these hernias usually occur when a preexisting opening in connective tissue, muscle, or other weakness allows an organ (or another type of tissue) to push through and bulge out.
These openings or weaknesses often develop during the patient’s lifetime or may be present right from birth. Traumatic injuries and surgery can also lead to hernia development. Still, most commonly, it’s an injury caused by repetitive stress, where years of exertion or pressure simply wears the tissue down.
Common risk factors for hernia development may include the following:
- Jobs that involve hours of standing or heavy lifting
- Chronic constipation, which leads to straining when trying to pee or poop
- Allergies that lead to chronic sneezing or chronic coughing
- Pregnancy (most often repeat pregnancies)
- Chronic obesity
- Previous pelvic or abdominal surgeries
In the case of children, they are more likely to be born with a type of congenital hernia if they:
- Have cystic fibrosis
- Are delivered prematurely
- Are born with connective tissue disorder
- Have other urinary or reproductive system issues
- Are dealing with hip dysplasia
Diagnosing Hernias
For the most part, a regular physical exam may be enough to establish a positive diagnosis, depending on the type of hernia. In most cases, providers can feel or see the hernia in plain sight or ask the patient to adjust their position or cough.
In other cases, establishing a positive diagnosis may require tissue imaging tests, like CT scans.
Hernia Treatment
For the most part, hernia treatment will revolve around surgical repair (hernia surgery), but not necessarily immediately. In the case of smaller and milder cases where the protrusion is only occasional, experts may recommend watchful waiting to see if the condition worsens. And because most hernias get progressively worse over time, providers will often advise hernia surgery to mend the problem.
About Hernia Repair Surgery
This is considered a minor procedure when there are no complications. The surgeon will simply push the protruding tissue back to its place and reinforce the area it pushed through with surgical mesh or stitches.
Most often, providers will use minimally-invasive approaches, meaning less pain and faster recovery after hernia treatment.
Laparoscopic hernia surgery uses a long and thin tube with a lighted camera on the top (the laparoscope) that surgeons insert in a small incision along with thin surgical tools in other small incisions. In some cases, surgeons opt for robotic surgery, which utilizes a control console through which the surgeon controls the tools with robotic arms.
In other cases, more severe hernias may require traditional open hernia surgery.
Congenital umbilical hernia may not require treatment, but if it doesn’t resolve on its own, children will undergo umbilical hernia repair.
Hiatal hernias may be addressed through Nissen fundoplication, which involves wrapping the upper stomach around the esophagus’ lower part and stitching them together.
Are There Any Hernia Treatment Complications?
Hernia surgery will also carry small side effects and complication risks with all surgery types. These can include infection, excessive bleeding, or adverse anesthesia reactions.
Some people may also experience difficulty urinating for some time following the intervention, and in extremely rare cases, people may experience groin pain after inguinal hernia surgery.
Expert Help and Compassionate Care
Smaller hernias may not bother patients initially, but they tend to worsen in time. If they gradually progress, the symptoms worsen, and the risk of experiencing complications gets higher. So, even though hernias are common and aren’t considered serious, they will eventually require medical attention.
Contact Surgical Solutions of Miami to learn more about our treatment options or to learn more about hernias in general. We are ready to address all your questions and concerns.