Hernia

A hernia is a weak spot or an opening in the abdominal wall through which an organ, such as the intestine, can pass. It can be congenital (present from birth) or acquired (owing to tissue weakness, an injury or surgery). Hernias are quite common, affecting 10-15% of the population, and both men and women can develop them. Most hernias are not immediately life-threatening, but they do not go away on their own.

Hernias are classified by the area where they occur:

• Inguinal hernia: occurs in the groin and is the most common type of hernia, especially among men.
• Femoral hernia: occurs as a bulge in the upper thigh near the groin and is more common in women.
• Umbilical hernia: the second most common form after inguinal hernia, in which part of the small intestine passes through the abdominal wall near the navel.
• Abdominal hernia: appears in the midline of the abdomen (epigastric hernia) or at the site of an incision from previous surgery (incisional hernia).
• Sports hernia or athletic pubalgia: causes pain in the groin and usually affects young men who are active in sports.

A hernia is quite often accompanied by characteristic symptoms: a swelling under the skin, pain associated with exercise or weightlifting, and discomfort or pain especially when walking or running. The diagnosis begins with a detailed medical history and a physical examination by the doctor, followed when needed by an ultrasound, CT or MRI scan. Severe abdominal pain or distension, nausea and vomiting, or redness, tenderness and pain at the site of the bulge may point to a strangulated hernia, an emergency that requires immediate surgery.

The only way to correct a hernia permanently is surgical repair, which usually closes the opening in the abdominal wall with a surgical mesh. Scheduled (non-emergency) repair generally leads to better results, a shorter recovery time and far fewer postoperative complications. Dr. Konstantinidis and his surgical team apply minimally invasive hernia repair techniques, both laparoscopic, such as TEP, and robotic, such as TAPP, TARUP and IPOM, with the da Vinci Xi robotic system at Athens Medical Center. Most hernia repair surgeries require one day of hospital stay, and the patient can often be discharged on the same day.