Different Types of Hernia
Inguinal Hernias
Inguinal hernias are a common form of hernia. They occur in the groin where they are classified according to their relationship to some blood vessels (the inferior epigastric blood vessels) as either direct or indirect inguinal hernias.
Following the evidence obtained from large clinical trials, Dr Lord generally operates on patients with inguinal hernias if they are:
- causing symptoms such as pain or discomfort in the groin
- are enlarging
- or are already large
Dr Lord mostly performs laparoscopic (keyhole) repair of inguinal hernias. He uses the pre-peritoneal approach, which is preferred because the abdominal cavity containing the bowels is not entered. This greatly reduces the risk of any complications relating to the bowels or other organs within the abdomen. Some patients are better treated by open inguinal hernia repair through an incision. Dr Lord will discuss with you if your hernia should be managed by keyhole or open surgery.
Most patients spend one night in hospital after inguinal hernia repair although some patients may go home on the same day as the operation.
Umbilical Hernia
An umbilical hernia is a hernia through the navel (belly button). Umbilical hernias are very common and many individuals do not know that they have one. Most umbilical hernias contain fat buta more dangerous situation is when the umbilical hernia contains bowel, which can cause a bowel blockage or death of the bowel, in which case emergency surgery is required. Dr Lord will discuss with you whether your umbilical hernia needs treatment. Umbilical hernia repair is a very common operation, which Dr Lord performs through the skin crease in the navel, which results in a scar with an optimum cosmetic appearance once it has fully healed.
Incisional Hernia
An incisional hernia is a hernia which develops when the deep part of an incision through which an operation has been performed does not heal completely. Many incisional hernias require treatment because they are causing pain or discomfort, they contain bowel or other organs, or because they result in a lump. Dr Lord repairs incisional hernias either through the original incision or by using a laparoscopic (keyhole) approach. Dr Lord will discuss with you whether your incisional hernia requires treatment and whether this treatment should be through the original incision (open repair) or through small incisions elsewhere (laparoscopic /keyhole repair).
Femoral Hernia
A femoral hernia is a type of groin hernia. It is much less common than an inguinal groin hernia and unlike an inguinal hernia is more common in females. It is a more dangerous hernia than an inguinal hernia because of the risk of part of the wall of the bowel becoming trapped within the hernia. A femoral hernia occurs at the femoral canal just below the skin crease of the groin. In general, femoral hernias should be repaired. This can be done either through a laparoscopic (keyhole approach) or through a short incision in the groin. Dr Lord will discuss with you whether your femoral hernia should be repaired laparoscopically or through an incision. In most cases, patients go home on the day after surgery for femoral hernia.