Best Hernia Doctor in Delhi Dr. Tarun Mittal

• A hernia occurs when the inside layers of the abdominal muscle have weakened, resulting in a bulge or tear. In the same way that an inner tube pushes through a damaged tire, the inner lining of the abdomen pushes through the weakened area of the abdominal wall to form a small balloon-like sac.
• This can allow a loop of intestine or abdominal tissue to push into the sac. The hernia can cause severe pain and other potentially serious problems that could require emergency surgery.
• Both men and women can get a hernia.
• You may be born with a hernia (congenital) or develop one over time.
• A hernia does not get better over time, nor will it go away by itself.

• The common areas where hernias occur are in the groin (inguinal), belly button (umbilical), and the site of a previous operation (incisional).
• It is usually easy to recognize a hernia. You may notice a bulge under the skin. You may feel pain when you lift heavy objects, cough, strain during urination or bowel movements, or during prolonged standing or sitting.
• The pain may be sharp and immediate or a dull ache that gets worse toward the end of the day.
• Severe, continuous pain, redness, and tenderness are signs that the hernia may be entrapped or strangulated. These symptoms are cause for concern and immediate contact with your physician or surgeon.

The most common types include inguinal hernias (in the groin), femoral hernias (lower groin), umbilical hernias (around the belly button), and hiatal hernias (upper stomach).

Laparoscopic Hernia Repair is a technique to fix tears in the abdominal wall (muscle) using small incisions, telescopes, and a patch (mesh). It may offer a quicker return to work and normal activities with decreased pain for some patients.

• Most hernia operations are performed on an outpatient basis, and therefore you will probably go home on the same day that the operation is performed.
• Preoperative preparation includes blood work, medical evaluation, chest x-ray, and an EKG depending on your age and medical condition.
• After your surgeon reviews the potential risks and benefits of the operation, you will need to provide written consent for surgery.
• It is recommended that you shower the night before or the morning of the operation.
• If you have difficulties moving your bowels, an enema or similar preparation may be used after consulting with your surgeon.
• After midnight the night before the operation, you should not eat or drink anything except medications that your surgeon has told you are permissible to take with a sip of water the morning of surgery.
• Drugs such as aspirin, blood thinners, anti-inflammatory medications (arthritis medications), and Vitamin E will need to be stopped temporarily for several days to a week prior to surgery.
• Diet medication or St. John’s Wort should not be used for the two weeks prior to surgery.
• Quit smoking and arrange for any help you may need at home.

• There are few options available for a patient who has a hernia.

  • The use of a truss (hernia belt) is rarely prescribed as it is usually ineffective.
  • Most hernias require a surgical procedure.
  • Surgical procedures are done in one of two fashions.

  I. The open approach is done from the outside through a three to four-inch incision in the groin or the area of the hernia. The incision will extend through the skin, and subcutaneous fat, and allow the surgeon to get to the level of the defect. The surgeon may choose to use a small piece of surgical mesh to repair the defect or hole. This technique is usually done with a local anesthetic and sedation but may be performed using a spinal or general anesthetic.

  II. The laparoscopic hernia repair. In this approach, a laparoscope (a tiny telescope) connected to a special camera is inserted through a cannula, a small hollow tube, allowing the surgeon to view the hernia and surrounding tissue on a video screen.

  Other cannulas are inserted which allow your surgeon to work “inside.” Three or four-quarter-inch incisions are usually necessary. The hernia is repaired from behind the abdominal wall. A small piece of surgical mesh is placed over the hernia defect and held in place with small surgical staples. This operation is usually performed with general anesthesia or occasionally using regional or spinal anesthesia.

Symptoms may vary depending on the type and severity of the hernia but commonly include a visible bulge, pain or discomfort, especially when lifting or straining, and a feeling of pressure or heaviness in the affected area.

Hernias typically occur due to a combination of muscle weakness and strain. Factors such as aging, heavy lifting, persistent coughing, obesity, and pregnancy can contribute to the development of hernias.

Doctors typically diagnose hernias through physical examination. Imaging tests such as ultrasound, CT scans, or MRI may be ordered to confirm the diagnosis or assess the severity.

Hernias do not resolve on their own and usually require surgical repair to prevent complications.

Untreated hernias can lead to serious complications such as bowel obstruction, strangulation (where blood flow to the herniated tissue is cut off), and tissue death (gangrene).

The primary treatment for hernias is surgery to repair the weakened muscle or tissue and close the hole. The surgical approach may vary depending on the type and size of the hernia.

Laparoscopic hernia repair is a minimally invasive surgical technique where small incisions are made, and a tiny camera (laparoscope) and surgical instruments are inserted to repair the hernia with less tissue trauma and quicker recovery compared to traditional open surgery.

Recovery time varies depending on the type of hernia and the surgical technique used. However, most people can resume light activities within a few days and return to normal activities within a few weeks.

While hernia repair surgery is generally successful, there is a risk of recurrence, especially if the underlying cause of the hernia, such as muscle weakness, is not addressed.

While hernias cannot always be prevented, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding heavy lifting, practicing good posture, and treating conditions that cause persistent coughing can help reduce the risk of hernias.