Hernia Repair
Key points
- A hernia repair, also known as herniorrhaphy, is the surgical procedure to fix a hernia.
- Although many different types of hernias can develop, the most common ones occur when a portion of the intestine pokes through an area of weakness in the wall of the abdomen.
- Most hernias are diagnosed during an office visit with your doctor, and surgery will be planned at your convenience.
- Hernia repair may be performed under different kind of anesthesia, including general anesthesia, in which you are unconscious during the procedure and spinal, regional or local anesthesia, in which you are awake but pain is blocked in the area of surgery.
What Is It?
A hernia repair, also known as herniorrhaphy, is the surgical procedure to fix a hernia. A hernia occurs when part of an internal organ or body part protrudes through another area where it shouldn't. The most common hernias occur when a piece of intestine pokes through a weak area in the wall of the abdomen. This causes an abnormal bulge under the skin of the abdomen, usually near the groin or navel.
There are two kinds of hernia repair:
- Traditional (open) hernia repair — The surgeon cuts open the skin and fixes the hernia through an opening that is several inches long.
- Laparoscopic hernia repair — In this less invasive procedure, the surgeon makes several small holes in the skin, and inserts a laparoscope (a telescopelike instrument with a camera for viewing inside the abdomen) to guide long-handled surgical instruments.
More than 700,000 groin (inguinal) hernias are repaired each year in the United States, and additional hernia repair procedures are performed to correct hernias that occur in other parts of the body. For most people, a hernia repair is a same-day procedure. Occasionally, a brief hospital stay is needed for those who have other serious medical problems.
What It's Used For
Although many different types of hernias can develop, the most common ones occur when a portion of the intestine pokes through an area of weakness in the wall of the abdomen. This causes an abnormal bulge under the skin, often near the groin or the navel. Men are much more likely than women to develop groin hernias.
Hernias can cause pain or pressure or can appear as a painless lump. Most hernias become larger over time and will not heal on their own. There is a small risk that part of the bowel will get trapped within the hernia, which can lead to a medical emergency. Not all hernias need to be repaired, but you may choose to have surgery if:
- The hernia is causing discomfort or limiting your activities
- The hernia is growing larger
- You or your doctor are worried about the risk of the bowel getting trapped
Preparation
Most hernias are diagnosed during an office visit with your doctor, and surgery will be planned at your convenience. Your doctor will exam you and review your medical history. If there is any chance you might be pregnant, you must inform your doctor prior to surgery. Your doctor may order certain tests, including blood tests, and electrocardiogram (EKG) and a chest X-ray to make sure that you can undergo surgery safely. About one week before your hernia repair, your doctor may ask you to stop taking aspirin and other medications that can cause bleeding. You will be asked not to eat or drink anything beginning the night before surgery to reduce the risk of vomiting during surgery.
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.