What is a Hernia?

Reducible swelling due to weakness in the underlying muscles. An hernia happens when intestine, fat, or fluid pushes through a weak spot or hole in the muscles. This causes a bulge near or in the belly button or navel, loin or in the previous surgical scar.

What are the symptoms?

A hernia usually is asymptomatic in initial stages. It is painful once its contents become stuck inside the hernia. Many a times the contents get swollen and can become dead due to loss of blood supple, which is a very dangerous condition.

When a child has an umbilical hernia:

You may notice a soft bulge under the skin of the belly button. The doctor can push part of the bulge back in. The bulge may be easier to see when your child sits or stands upright or strains stomach muscles during normal activities such as crying, coughing, or having a bowel movement.

How is it treated?

Umbilical hernias in a child usually close on their own before a baby is 1 year old. If a hernia has not closed by the time, your child probably will need surgery to close it. Surgery to repair the hernia usually is a daycare procedure, which means that you can go home the same day the surgery is done.

Laparoscopic Hernia Repair

Laparoscopic hernia repair is similar to other laparoscopic procedures. Most of the hernias can be treated by Laparoscopy. General anesthesia is given, and a small cut (incision) is made in or just below the navel. The abdomen is inflated with air so that the surgeon can see the abdominal organs. A thin, lighted scope called a laparoscope is inserted through the incision. The instruments to repair the hernia are inserted through other small incisions in the lower abdomen. Mesh is then placed over the defect to reinforce the abdominal wall.

Why It Is Done?

Surgical repair is recommended for hernias especially if its causing pain or other symptoms and for hernias that are incarcerated or strangulated. Surgery is always recommended for inguinal hernias in children.

What to Expect After Surgery?

Most people who have laparoscopic hernia repair surgery are able to go home the same day. Recovery time is about 1 to 2 weeks

Advantages of Laparoscopy

• No long scar, so better cosmetic results
• Early recovery:Either side of a bilateral inguinal hernia can be managed by the same 3 holes
• Fast recovery & early return to work
• No restriction of lifting heavy weights subsequently
• Less than 1% recurrence rate