There are different kinds of hernias, but a hernia essentially occurs once an internal body part ends up pushing through a particular weakness in tissues or a muscle and starts to poke through. The muscles are designed to keep organs and intestines in their proper place within the body, but if there is a weak spot, it is easier for a hernia to develop. The most common kind of hernia is an inguinal hernia, and if you have been diagnosed with one, you may be thinking about what it takes to recover from it. You may even be wondering if you need surgery in the first place. Well, to answer your questions, here’s your essential guide to repairing an inguinal hernia: why it’s done, what to expect, and more.
The causes of an inguinal hernia
Inguinal hernias can develop when a piece of tissue or a portion of the bowel, like the intestine, begins to poke through to the groin. It then pushes through a weak area or spot in the muscle wall and penetrates into the inguinal canal. An inguinal hernia mostly develops in men, and it is believed that it is caused by ageing since when someone gets older, the surrounding muscles in their abdomen can get weaker as well. An inguinal hernia can suddenly appear if you put pressure on your abdomen; for instance, when you strain too much due to constipation or when you lift a heavy load or object.
Why you may need inguinal hernia repair
Repairing an inguinal hernia is sometimes recommended if you are experiencing pain, if you have persistent or severe symptoms, or if you have developed complications. According to a hernia surgery London specialist from The London Surgical Group, some complications include an obstruction, wherein a portion of the bowel can become stuck in your inguinal canal, and this can cause vomiting, stomach pain, and nausea as well as pain in the groin. Another complication is strangulation, and this is when a portion of the bowel is trapped, leading to a loss of blood supply. Cases of strangulation require immediate surgery, so the trapped piece or portion of tissue is released, and blood supply is restored.
What to expect with surgery or repair
You can benefit from two main methods of surgery or repair, and these include open surgery and laparoscopic or keyhole surgery, as confirmed by the groin hernia repair London experts from The London Surgical Group. Open surgery is basically general surgery where a big cut or incision is made so the surgeon can manually push the obstruction or lump right back into your abdomen. Laparoscopic or keyhole surgery, on the other hand, involves a series of smaller cuts and is a less invasive procedure that makes use of a laparoscope so the surgeon can repair the hernia using various instruments.
Both methods of repair have their advantages as well as disadvantages, but the kind of repair you will have will be based on the method that is ideal for your situation and the experience and skill of your surgeon. The good news is, whatever kind of surgery you go for, you will usually be able to recover quickly (although recovery is quicker with laparoscopic surgery) and you should be ready to go back home on the same day of the operation or the day after, depending on the time of day your surgery is performed.
