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Hernia Repair refers to a surgical procedure performed to rectify a hernia, a medical condition that occurs when an organ or fatty tissue squeezes through a weak spot in a surrounding muscle or connective tissue called fascia. The most common types of hernias are inguinal (inner groin), incisional (resulting from an incision), femoral (outer groin), umbilical (belly button), and hiatal (upper stomach).

Types of Hernia Repair

There are two main types of hernia repair surgeries: open hernia repair and laparoscopic hernia repair.

Open Hernia Repair

In an open hernia repair, a single long incision is made in the groin. If the hernia is bulging out of the abdominal wall (a direct hernia), the bulge is pushed back into place. If the hernia is going down the inguinal canal (an indirect hernia), the hernia sac is either pushed back or tied off and removed.

Laparoscopic Hernia Repair

In a laparoscopic hernia repair, the surgeon makes several small incisions in the abdomen and inserts a laparoscope—a thin tube with a tiny video camera attached. The camera sends a magnified image from inside the body to a monitor, giving the surgeon a close-up view of the hernia and surrounding tissue. While watching the monitor, the surgeon repairs the hernia using synthetic mesh.

Recovery

Most people who undergo a hernia repair surgery are able to go home the same day. Recovery time varies depending on the type of surgery, with a full recovery expected within three weeks.

Complications

Complications of hernia repair can include infection, nerve damage, and a recurrence of the hernia.

See Also

• Hernia
• Inguinal hernia
• Femoral hernia
• Umbilical hernia
• Hiatal hernia