Hernia Treatment

What is a hernia and why does it form?

A hernia is the exit of internal organs or deep tissues from the cavities normally occupied by them, under the skin or into the intermuscular tissue without violating the integrity of the integument.The main factor in the development of the most common type of hernia, the anterior abdominal wall, is a repeated increase in intra—abdominal pressure (cough, crying, constipation, difficulty urinating, inadequate physical exertion, childbirth), which contributes to protrusion intestinal loops through a weakened area of muscles or natural openings of the abdominal wall — the umbilical ring, the inguinal canal.

Hernia occurs at any age, more often in men than in women. Depending on the location, the hernia can be internal (diaphragmatic) or external — inguinal, femoral, umbilical, white line of the abdomen. In addition, there are postoperative hernias that form in the suture area after surgery on the abdominal organs. 

In most cases, not one but several factors contribute to the development of a hernia, including the patient's lifestyle, and the risk of a hernia increases with increasing age and weight.

Thus, infants are more likely to develop an umbilical hernia due to strained crying and crying, and with age, the likelihood of a hernia in the weakest part of the anterior abdominal wall increases - in the inguinal canal. Men are more likely to have an inguinal hernia in the inguinal ligament, as well as a hernia of the white line of the abdomen; overweight women and pregnant women are more likely to have a hernia in the upper thigh below the inguinal ligament, and women over 40 are more likely to have a hernia in the umbilical ring.

The hernia does not reverse development, if it has appeared, it will progress. Up to a certain point, the hernia can be repaired: the patient can manually adjust the protruding "hernial sac" back into the abdominal cavity.

"Owners" of removable hernias very often question the need for surgical intervention against the background of full health or, at least, satisfactory well-being, they have been wearing bandages for years, sometimes unaware that this "peaceful coexistence" may one day be complicated by infringement a hernia in which there is a serious threat to the patient's life.

The European Medical Center (in Moscow) performs surgical treatment of all types of hernias in adults and children, including emergency hernia treatment.

Hernia symptoms

• Painful sensations in the abdominal area when walking, coughing, and exercising.
• Hernia protrusion through the abdominal wall.
• Abdominal heaviness, etc.

Hernia injury

Hernia infringement is a sudden compression of the hernial contents in the hernial gate, which usually occurs with significant abdominal tension (lifting weights, severe coughing). The pinched loop of the intestine is compressed by a muscular ring, the pain causes a spasm, which also causes pain. Attempts to repair the hernia end in failure: the hernial protrusion is enlarged, compacted, and sharply painful. The prolapsed part of the intestine stops being supplied with blood and tissue necrosis begins, which can lead to peritonitis.

It is important to remember: if you suspect a hernia injury, you should not self-medicate, you should urgently consult a doctor. If the hernia injury lasts about a day, the probability of death increases to 25%. Therefore, if an injury is suspected, an ambulance should be called — if the diagnosis is confirmed, hospitalization and emergency surgery are necessary.

Elective surgical treatment of hernias

Immediately after the diagnosis is established, timely planned surgical intervention should be discussed with the doctor before irreversible changes occur in the affected organs. Today, there are many ways to strengthen the hernial canal. All of them are based on various methods of plastic surgery (suturing the walls of the hernial canal).

Until recently, the main method of surgical treatment of hernias was the so—called "tension" method - herniation with strengthening of the hernial canal by stitched muscles. However, such plastic surgery is accompanied by a rather significant tension of the stitched tissues, which can further lead to stretching of the scar tissue and the formation of a recurrence of the hernia. Unfortunately, recurrence after traditional operations is not uncommon and occurs in 12-20% of cases, depending on the type of surgery and the size of the hernial defect.

In recent years, techniques have been used to avoid tissue tension. Modern hernial gate plastic surgery techniques with mesh implants used in the EMC Surgical Clinic reliably prevent hernia recurrence.

In most cases, the operation is performed laparoscopically ("laparoscopic hernioplasty"), without an incision. Through small punctures with long thin tools, the mesh is sewn into the abdominal wall in the projection of the hernial defect. At the same time, there is no tension of the tissues. Laparoscopic hernioplasty currently meets all the necessary requirements for surgical care: low injury, safety, reliability, high cosmetic effect, short rehabilitation time, and allows you to forget about the once "faithful companion" forever.

Postoperative hernia treatment

A condition in which the organs of the abdominal cavity extend beyond the abdominal wall in the area of the postoperative scar. The protrusion may disappear in the prone position. In some cases, postoperative hernia causes nausea and vomiting.

The condition requires contacting a specialist. Diagnosis and treatment of postoperative hernias are similar to the treatment of all other types of hernias. The recovery period is minimal, and patients return to their usual lives as soon as possible.

You can make an appointment with surgeons at the European Medical Center by calling the clinic's multi-channel phone number +7 (495) 933 66 55 or by filling out the form on the website.