Hernias occur when tissue or an organ pushes through a weak spot in your abdominal muscles. This often results in a visible bulge and may cause pain or discomfort.
Hernias can be difficult to diagnose and often go unnoticed until they become serious. They can also lead to life-threatening complications such as strangulation.
Hernia Repair Surgery
A hernia is a condition that occurs when the contents of your abdomen protrude through a weak spot in your abdominal wall. Hernias can be asymptomatic or cause pain and discomfort, so it’s important to get medical care for them as soon as possible.
A doctor will diagnose a hernia through a physical exam. She will look at your abdominal area and ask you to stand up, cough or bend over so she can see where the hernia is located.
If your hernia is large, the doctor may recommend surgery. This procedure is a safe and effective way to treat hernias.
During hernia repair, a surgeon makes an incision around the hernia and places mesh to strengthen the weak area. The hernia is then pushed back into place and the incision is closed.
Hernia surgery can be performed using open techniques or minimally invasive procedures such as laparoscopic hernia repair. Both of these methods are effective and can help patients recover faster and have less post-operative pain.
Some of the most common types of hernias include inguinal hernia, umbilical hernia and hiatal hernia. These conditions can cause significant problems if not treated properly, such as infection, bowel damage and even bladder or testicular injury in men.
There are several other hernia types as well, including epigastric hernia and ventral hernia. These conditions can be very uncomfortable and require a specialist who specializes in hernias to repair them correctly.
When you choose Surgical Associates of Southern Texas for your hernia surgery, you can rest assured that you’re receiving the latest hernia treatment options available today. Our board-certified hernia specialists are experts in minimally invasive hernia surgery, using the da Vinci surgical system to reduce the amount of trauma and risk for your body.
Surgical Associates of Southern Texas is one of the first hospitals in Houston to offer this advanced technology for hernia surgery. Our hernia surgeons use this advanced technology for both inguinal hernia and umbilical hernia repairs to ensure you receive the best possible care.
Hernia Surgery Houston
If you suspect that you have a hernia, it's important to contact a hernia specialist as soon as possible. Hernias typically get worse over time without treatment and may eventually cause serious medical complications if left untreated, such as strangulation of the herniated tissues.
At Surgical Associates of Southern Texas, our
are highly skilled in the latest minimally invasive surgical techniques for hernia repair. We offer both traditional open hernia surgery as well as newer robotic hernia repair, which is more comfortable, faster, and offers less risk of complications than open hernia surgeries.
Using the da Vinci Xi system, our hernia surgeons perform precision hernia repairs with reduced pain and faster recovery times than traditional hernia surgeries. They're also more accurate, meaning your repairs will be more precise and nearly perfect.
Hernias can occur in a number of locations, including the lower abdomen, upper abdomen, groin and even the diaphragm. Depending on the location, hernias can be simple or complicated and can range in size from small to large.
Inguinal hernias are the most common type of hernia. They occur in the groin and typically develop in males as their abdominal walls weaken with age. This condition can be very painful and requires immediate hernia surgery to relieve pain and prevent further complications.
Umbilical hernias are caused by a protrusion of the intestines, fat or fluids from the abdomen. They're most commonly seen in infants but can occur in adults as well. They're not life threatening but they do tend to get larger and require robotic hernia repair if they don't heal on their own.
Hiatal hernias are located in the stomach and esophagus and can be more complex. They're also less common than inguinal hernias and are more likely to lead to complications if not corrected.
Strangulation occurs when the herniated tissue becomes trapped in your abdomen and cuts off your blood flow. Complications can include fever, vomiting, loss of appetite and bowel activity.
If you're experiencing these symptoms, it's time to schedule a hernia evaluation with our hernia specialists in Houston. They'll use a variety of physical and diagnostic tests to identify the hernia and determine the best approach for treating it.
Hernia Surgery Options
Hernias can happen anywhere in the abdomen where there is a hole or weak spot in the muscle or connective tissue. They can cause a bulge, especially when you strain or bear down, or they may be asymptomatic. Surgical hernia repair can help restore normal function and prevent the hernia from coming back.
Hernia surgery can be done in 2 ways: laparoscopic or open. The type of hernia that you have will determine the best procedure for you.
Laparoscopic surgery, also known as keyhole surgery, is a minimally invasive technique that can be performed with general anesthesia. This type of hernia surgery usually involves a thin tube with a camera (laparoscope) and surgical tools inserted through small incisions made in your abdomen.
Your surgeon may use surgical mesh to close the hernia during this procedure. Mesh - a woven sheet of medical-grade material - helps strengthen the abdominal wall and reduces pain and tension on the surgical wound.
Surgeons can place mesh through either laparoscopic or open hernia surgery. The use of mesh has been shown to reduce the risk of recurrence and may improve the chance of a hernia not coming back.
The mesh used in hernia repair is typically made from synthetic materials or animal tissue. This type of material is absorbable, non-absorbable or a combination of both.
Depending on your hernia, the type of mesh used can be very important in determining whether or not you will need another hernia surgery. If your hernia has been repaired, the doctor will often recommend that you have a regular checkup to ensure that your hernia is not recurring or causing any other problems.
Hernia surgery is an outpatient procedure that usually requires no hospitalization and can be completed in just a few hours. However, you should not lift heavy objects or do strenuous activities for several weeks after the hernia surgery. Your doctor will provide you with instructions on how to move your body to promote healing and avoid a return of the hernia.
Hernia Surgery Recovery
A hernia is a weakness or tear in the abdominal muscles that allows fatty tissue or an organ, such as the intestines, to protrude through the muscle. They are most common in the groin, abdomen and navel, and are often present after surgery.
Hernias can cause health complications if left untreated, including obstruction and strangulation. Strangulation occurs when a loop of the intestine or fat becomes trapped in the hernia, which can cut off blood flow to the affected area and lead to severe problems.
Surgical hernia repair is an important step to preventing these serious health risks from developing. The surgeons at Surgical Associates of Southern Texas have the expertise and experience to help patients recover quickly from hernia surgery in Houston.
The surgical team at Surgical Associates of Southern Texas offers a wide variety of hernia surgery options to address the needs of each patient. These include minimally invasive laparoscopic hernia repair, which uses small incisions to access the affected area and promote a faster recovery than open surgery.
Robotic hernia surgery is another minimally invasive option. This procedure is performed by Dr. Harkins with a da Vinci robotic surgical system, which is a specialized tool that allows him to use two or more small incisions to perform hernia repair.
This surgery is much less invasive than open hernia repair and leaves a small scar. It also causes less blood loss and pain, and a quicker recovery time than traditional hernia repairs.
When you have hernia surgery, it is very important to follow a strict recovery schedule. This includes eating a healthy diet, exercising and not lifting heavy objects. These habits can prevent hernia recurrence and decrease your risk of having a second hernia surgery in the future.
The doctors at Surgical Associates of Southern Texas are experienced and board-certified general surgeons who have the medical care and surgical skills to treat a wide range of health conditions. The physicians have years of experience performing hernia surgery, as well as procedures such as appendectomy, adrenalectomy, thyroidectomy and colorectal surgery.
Hernias are a common condition that can have serious consequences. If left untreated, hernias can obstruct bowel movement and strangulate the intestines, which can lead to severe complication like gangrene. Having a hernia repaired can help prevent these health concerns from developing and allow you to enjoy life again.