Hernia Surgery in Mumbai, India
A hernia is a swelling caused due to protrusion of an organ or tissue from an abnormal opening in the wall of the muscle that holds it in place. Hernias can be internal or external. External hernias occur through a weak spot in the wall of the abdomen or the tummy. They usually present as a swelling that increases on straining and reduces on resting or lying down.
The most common types of hernias are-
- Inguinal (in the groin)- 73%
- Femoral (below the groin in upper thigh)- 17%
- Umbilical (through the navel/belly button)- 8.5%
- Epigastric (above the navel, in the midline)
- Incisional (through the scars of any previous surgery such as a previous cesarean section)
- Rare types- (lumbar, spigelian, obturator and gluteal)
Hernia can be seen in all age-groups and all genders. In children, congenital hernias are common. Inguinal hernias are seen more often in men. Umbilical and femoral hernias are seen more commonly in women.
Risk factors for developing a hernia:
- The two main factors that are implicated in causing a hernia are weakness of abdominal muscles and increased pressure inside the abdomen which tends to force the internal contents out through the weakened area.
- Abdominal wall weakness may be congenital or could be a result of excessive fat, repeated pregnancies, or a surgical incision.
- On the other hand, increased abdominal pressure may be a result of long-standing cough, constipation, urinary straining, heavy exercise and so on.
Signs and symptoms of a hernia:
Most patients present with complains of a dragging and aching pain and/or a lump that may increase in size on exertion and reduce in size on resting or lying down.- Sometimes, the hernia may get obstructed or strangulated and, in that case, it may present with vomiting, constipation and a swollen abdomen along with severe pain in abdomen.
- If you are experiencing any kind of pain or a lump in the abdominal or groin area it is advisable to visit a surgeon for a check-up.
Diagnosis:
- The diagnosis of hernia is usually made by clinical examination.
- Investigations like ultrasonography or CT scan may sometimes be required.
- At the same time, it is also important to determine the cause of hernia.
Hernia Treatment
The treatment of hernia is mainly surgical. Hernia cannot be treated by medicines alone. Hernia surgery usually involves reduction of hernial contents, repair of the defect and reinforcement of the defect with a mesh. Surgery can be performed either through open technique or by laparoscopy.
The choice of technique (open/laparoscopic) depends upon the clinical characteristics of the hernia and the preference of the operating surgeon. While laparoscopic surgery is the preferred approach for most hernias nowadays, open hernia surgery may be required for very large, complex or recurrent hernias. Laparoscopy (TEP, TAPP, E-TEP, IPOM) has many advantages over open surgery. As it causes very less trauma, it leads to less pain, early recovery, early discharge from the hospital and earlier return to work. Nowadays even complex hernia surgeries are being performed successfully through laparoscopic technique.
Hernia surgery is one of the commonest surgeries that is performed across the world. The benefits of getting a surgery done are many more than leaving the hernia untreated and subjecting oneself to the risk of complications like obstruction and strangulation. Also, as in the case of every disease, treatment is always easier and more effective when performed earlier rather than later. Hence, if you feel that you do have a bulge anywhere on your abdomen or in the region of the groin, do consult a surgeon immediately.
In this video Dr. Aparna Govil Bhasker talks about treatment of hernia-
Post-surgery care:
After the surgery it is important to take care and not overexert yourself for the first few months. Recurrence of hernia is a well-known complication and can happen more in people in whom the root cause of increased pressure in the abdomen has not been treated along with the hernia. Hence it is also important to avoid rigorous activity, treat constipation, treat the cough and so on.
However, most patients do well after surgery. The science of hernia repair has advanced a lot and many new interventions and techniques have come in recently. As surgeons treating hernia, it is our constant endeavor to take the best possible treatment options to our patients and work towards their well-being.
In this video, Dr. Aparna Govil Bhasker gives some recovery tips after a hernia-
Cost of hernia surgery in Mumbai
Cost of hernia surgery depends on the type of hernia, technique of repair and the type of mesh used. It also varies from hospital to hospital. We are associated with multiple hospitals and believe that quality treatment must be accessible to all. Post your consultation we will guide you about the best possible option for your surgery.
Insurance coverage for hernia surgery in Mumbai
Hernia surgery is covered by health insurance.
Frequently asked questions
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Can hernia be treated without a surgery?
No, hernia cannot be treated without a surgery. It is due to a defect which needs to be closed surgically and, in most cases, needs to be reinforced by a mesh.
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How do I know if I have a hernia?
If you have developed a recent swelling that increases on straining and reduces on lying down it is likely to be a hernia. Common sites for a hernia are the groin region, the navel, above the navel and through scars of previous surgery. However, a hernia can also happen through other sites. If you observe a new swelling anywhere in your body, please visit a surgeon and get it checked.
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When does a hernia become painful?
A hernia usually causes a dragging pain which increases on performing any kind of activities and decreases on resting. Acute pain can be experienced when a hernia becomes irreducible, obstructed or strangulated. In such cases, it becomes an emergency and the patient may have to get admitted to the hospital for an urgent operation.
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What is the care to be taken after hernia surgery?
One must take good care after a hernia surgery. Any kind of strenuous activities and heavy weight lifting must be avoided for 2 to 3 months after the surgery. The surgeon’s advice regarding medications must also be followed properly.
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Can the mesh lead to any problems?
Usually, the mesh is inert and does not cause much of a problem. However, some patients may experience pricking pain for some period as the mesh leads to a fibrotic reaction and can cause some degree of nerve entrapment. The pain is usually self-limiting.
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Can the mesh get infected?
Rarely the mesh may get infected and may need to be removed in such a case. It is more common to see this in patients with diabetes or other comorbidities.
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What can be done to prevent the hernia from worsening?
The best thing to prevent a hernia from worsening is to have an early surgery for hernia repair. If for some reason surgery cannot be done early, please avoid any strenuous activities. Also avoid anything that puts undue pressure on the abdomen like constipation, chronic cough, straining to pass urine etc.
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In this video Dr. Aparna Bhasker talks about who is the best surgeon for hernia surgery:
Media articles:
http://enavakal.com/how-to-care-after-hernia-surgery/
https://www.saamana.com/hernia-post-operation-care-health-stomach-problem/
