Which Types of Hernias Are Repaired by Tension-Free Minimally Invasive Hernia Surgery?

Anyone experiencing hernia pain and discomfort may want to consider how hernia repair surgery can provide the relief they seek. Surgery is the fastest and most efficient way to eliminate hernia pain and bulging. Traditionally, patients had to undergo open surgery on their stomach and abdomens for treatment.

Open surgery involves several large incisions in the abdominal area so the surgeon can reposition the strangulated organs or appendages and reconnect the muscular wall to repair hernias and keep things in place. The downsides of traditional hernia repair methods are long healing and recovery times and an increased risk of complications, such as blood clots, increased pain, etc.

Today, hernia patients have more surgical options to consider, several of which are minimally invasive. Now that advanced and minimally invasive surgical procedures are available, patients can opt to have their hernias repaired by laparoscopic surgery, via robotic-assisted or tension-free surgical techniques.

Hernia Symptoms That Are Resolved With Tension-Free Minimally Invasive Hernia Surgery

Hernias form when organs or tissues in the abdominal cavity, usually the intestines or stomach, bulge through weak areas in the connective tissues and muscular wall. Hernias are also called “protrusions.”

Tension-free minimally invasive hernia surgery resolves the following types of hernia symptoms:

• Pain
• Discomfort
• Abdominal or chest discomfort
• Acid reflux
• Fast-growing hernias
• Large hernias
• Strange lumps or bulges in the groin
• Protrusions that put pressure on nerves that cause irritation and numbness
• Nausea
• Premature appetite fullness

Hernias in the abdomen can appear anywhere in the belly button and groin areas. These hernias are often classified as “greater” or “lesser,” depending on their location. Hernias are also categorized as incomplete or complete. Complete hernias involve entire organs bulging through weak areas in the abdomen. Incomplete hernias are those that involve a portion of the bowels or organs. Hernias can also develop in the chest/diaphragm area.

Types of Hernias Repaired by Tension-Free Minimally Invasive Hernia Surgery

Tension-free surgery is a minimally invasive technique for repairing various types of hernias. The procedure involves small incisions, reducing patient recovery time and complication risks that are normally associated with conventional hernia repair methods. Tension-free minimally invasive hernia surgery is beneficial in treating the following types of hernias.

Inguinal Hernias

This is the most common type of hernia and involves one or more portions of an organ bulging through the abdominal wall into the inguinal channel in the groin area. Inguinal hernias are more commonly diagnosed in men than women. Normally, inguinal hernias are not serious, but they can cause symptoms that make living with them difficult. They are also quite common. However, not everyone, especially those who are obese, develops hernia symptoms or notices swelling or bulging in their abdomens. Surgery is the most effective treatment for inguinal hernias. Without treatment, they can become worse and lead to life-threatening conditions.

Femoral Hernias

Femoral hernias are rare and tend to impact women more than men. They develop when the abdominal contents protrude through weak points in the muscles into the femoral channel. Inflammation and painful swelling are common with femoral hernias and increase the risk of incarceration and obstruction. Incarcerated femoral hernias are the kind that cannot be physically manipulated or massaged back into place. The protrusions are stuck or trapped between the damaged muscles.

Surgery is necessary to safely correct or reduce these protrusions. Femoral hernias can also become obstructed when the intestines become entangled with the abdominal muscles. This type of hernia usually causes progressive symptoms like nausea, vomiting, pain, and further enlargement. Femoral hernias are dangerous because they almost always require surgery to prevent life-threatening complications. Femoral hernias carry an elevated risk of internal hemorrhaging and strangulation.

Umbilical Hernias

Umbilical hernias develop when a portion of the bowels protrude through the wall of the abdomen. Umbilical hernias are also diagnosed when the bowels enter the bladder, causing painful swelling near the belly button. Umbilical hernias are more common in infants and young children, though many adults from all walks of life develop them. They are not always painful. Moreover, small to midsize umbilical hernias often resolve without surgical intervention. But there is a risk of strangulation without timely diagnosis and treatment.

Standard treatment protocol involves medical monitoring of the condition as the patient makes lifestyle and diet corrections to alleviate symptoms. Sometimes these tactics are sufficient to encourage the protrusion to shrink and shift back into place. Other times, more advanced medical intervention is necessary. Large or complex umbilical hernias that are unresponsive to standard treatments require surgery to reinforce the abdominal wall to stop the bowels or intestines from bulging.

Hiatal (Hiatus) Hernias

This occurs when the upper part of the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm, a muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen. Hiatal hernias don’t always cause symptoms, but when they do, heartburn, acid reflux, and pain are common. In some cases, respiratory problems may occur.

Normally, treatment for hiatal hernias includes medications, diet changes, lifestyle adjustments, and careful monitoring. However, there are extreme cases where tension-free minimally invasive hernia repair procedures are necessary to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life.

Benefits Of Tension-Free Minimal Invasive Hernia Surgery

Tension-free hernia surgery involves the installation of a special, medical-grade mesh to reinforce the weak portions of the abdominal muscles to keep the organs from shifting back out of place. The advantages are more favorable for patients and lead to better outcomes.

The benefits of tension-free hernia repair include:

Less pain: Tension-free minimally invasive hernia repair patients have less pain because their procedures require fewer and smaller incisions and less organ and tissue manipulation.

Quicker recovery times: Patients spend less time in the hospital and recovering at home. Tension-free minimally invasive hernia patients return home the same day and have shorter recoveries because their surgical wounds are minor and require less time to heal.

Fewer complication risks: Tension-free patients have fewer complications than patients who undergo conventional and alternative hernia repair options. The most common side effects of surgical hernia repairs include blood clots, damage to internal organs, infection, chronic pain, etc. These risks are much lower and rarely occur in minimally invasive hernia surgery patients.

Less scarring: Tension-free hernia repair surgery utilizes tiny incisions, so there is less trauma to the skin and nerves and less scar tissue.

To learn more about tension-free minimally invasive hernia surgery or other hernia repair options, contact Orange County Robotic General Surgery at (714) 541-4996.

Contact Us