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What is Hernia?

A hernia is a weakness in the muscles of the abdominal wall (tummy). This weakness may allow a section of intestine (bowel) or fat to bulge out under the skin. The most common site for a hernia is in the groin (the area between the thigh and the tummy). This hernia is called an inguinal hernia. An inguinal hernia can occur on either the right or left side. The bulge may appear during vigorous activity, or when coughing or straining, and usually disappears when lying down. The bulge is usually seen or felt in the scrotum, groin or abdominal wall.

 

What happens during hernia repair surgery? 

A piece of synthetic nylon mesh is placed over the muscular defect. This is called a 'mesh repair'. 

 

There are two ways of having this operation: 

  1. Traditional open repair: An incision (cut) is made (approximately 3-4 inches) over the groin skin and the muscles are exposed. The mesh is then sewn into the muscles. 

  2. Keyhole surgery (Laparoscopic): In this method three small holes are made in the abdominal wall. A camera is inserted into the abdominal cavity or wall. To provide space for the surgery to be performed, your tummy is filled with carbon dioxide (a harmless gas). The surgeon then uses miniature instruments to return the protruding tissue back into the abdominal cavity and the mesh is placed from within. The mesh will remain in place permanently. Once the operation is completed, the carbon dioxide gas is allowed to escape before the cuts are stitched together.

 

The operation is usually done under general anaesthetic although the open repair can also be done under spinal or local anaesthetic to the area. The decision of which kind of anaesthetic to use is made by the anaesthetist and will be discussed with you before the surgery. The surgery usually takes just under an hour.

 

Common presentations of a hernia:

  • A lump

    1. Comes and goes

    2. Appears on straining /coughing

  • A pain

    1. Dragging pain/ Pain on exertion

  • Incidental finding on examination/ imaging

  • Presenting as a complication

    1. Incarceration/ Intestinal obstruction, The risk of bowel strangulation is estimated to be less than 1% per year

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Wessex Hernia Clinic

Expert Hernia Surgeon

Mr Zaed Hamady deals with various types of abdominal hernias on daily bases. Over the last years, the outcome from hernia repair performed by Mr Hamady was excellent, with complications rate lower than 0.5% (infection rate 0%) and recurrence rate of less than 1%. Mr Hamady performs hernia repair mainly using novel laparoscopic approach using a special technique associated with minimal pain and faster return to normal activities. Mr Hamady deals with the most complex incisional hernias laparoscopically 

 

Survey of patients who had hernia repair by Mr Hamady over the last year showed:

 

  • Length of hospital stay< 23hourse

 

  • Average pain score (3/10) in the first 24 h after surgery

 

  • Average pain score (1.5/10) after 24 h after surgery

 

  • Average length of pain killers usage 48 hours

 

  • Average time to return to light activity (driving car) is three days

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  • Overall satisfaction with service provided by Mr Hamady was 5/5 stars.

 

 

For further information’s about hernia repair click on

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