You’ve heard about them before, but what exactly is a hernia?

Think of the body system like a car tire. The inner tube or soft tissue, is normally protected by a hard outer rubber. If there’s a weak or damaged spot, the inner tube can protrude, showing damage to the tire. This is almost identical to the cause of hernia. When there is damage in the inner part of the body, one of the possible effects is a swelling that is visible on the body. This is the hernia. Hernias mostly occur around the abdominal area.

A hernia can be painful or even dangerous if left untreated. Luckily, there are two surgical approaches to hernia repair. In open surgical repair, an incision is made directly over the hernia defect, and a prosthetic mesh is sewn to strengthen the abdominal wall. This approach is used for both small and large hernias, especially in patients with previous hernia surgeries. The other option is laparoscopic surgery.

This minimally invasive surgery involves inserting small tubes called cannulas through the abdominal wall. The surgery takes place through these cannulas, sometimes with the help of a robot. This technique is used for both small and large hernias. It’s also been shown to have lower rates of wound infections and a quicker recovery when compared to open surgery.

Due to possible pain patients may experience after hernia surgery, avoidance of certain movements is often recommended to minimize pain, and medications are prescribed. Patients are encouraged to resume all normal activities as soon as they feel confident without causing unreasonable pain.