Hernias are swellings or bulges on the skin usually due to the pressure of underlying structures being pushed through an area of weakness in the abdominal muscles. Ventral hernias are those that are located in the anterior abdominal wall. They include incisional, epigastric, umbilical and inguinal hernias. If they have been diagnosed with ventral hernias Houston residents need to know a number of things even as they consider undergoing treatment.
Any of these problems can be seen at any age as long as the predisposing factors are present. A significant proportion are present from birth and indicate the presence of a congenital defect in the area that is affected. A few of the inguinal hernias seen at this age may vanish as the child grows especially if the defect is very small. For most of the others, however, surgery is required.
A hernia usually contains the contents of the underlying cavity. In this case, it contains intestinal loops and other tissues from the abdominal cavity. The presence of intestinal loops in the hernia sac puts them at risk of obstruction. When this happens, an emergency surgical operation is required. Without the operation part of the loops may have their blood supply cut off and they may lose viability.
There are a number of signs and symptoms that are associated with this condition. One of the commonest is the presence of a swelling in the affected area. The swelling will be seen intermittently as abdominal pressure increases and reduces. The pressure may increase when one bears down, coughs or lifts heavy items. Pain may also be experienced especially if the defect is restricting the movement of herniated structures.
Apart from the suggestive symptoms, your doctor will have to conduct a physical examination. The examination will be centered on establishing characteristics such as location, size, contents and reducibility among others. Some doctors may also request for some investigations to confirm the diagnosis. Those that are commonly used include ultrasound scans and CT scans. Blood tests may be needed as well if a decision to have surgery is made.
The treatment chosen will depend on the findings after the history, physical examination and the imaging studies. Small defects that are not causing any discomfort may be managed conservatively through watchful waiting except in cases where the patient requests for surgery. There are two main techniques that are employed during surgery. These include the open technique and the laparoscopic technique.
The open technique is where a surgical incision is made near the hernia pouch to gain access to the defect. Once it is opened, a mesh is fitted near the defect to block the defect. An alternative is to close the defect using permanent sutures. In the laparoscopic technique, an instrument known as a laparoscope is inserted into the abdominal cavity using three ports. The defect is accessed from the inside and repaired through suturing or meshing.
No drug can help seal this defect. This means that you have to sign up for the operation if you hope to be free of hernias. The surgery itself is usually simple and with very few complications. Those that are likely to be encountered include bleeding, injuries to structures such as intestines and the bladder and infections in the intermediate term. Resumption of the normal routine is usually in a matter of days.
Any of these problems can be seen at any age as long as the predisposing factors are present. A significant proportion are present from birth and indicate the presence of a congenital defect in the area that is affected. A few of the inguinal hernias seen at this age may vanish as the child grows especially if the defect is very small. For most of the others, however, surgery is required.
A hernia usually contains the contents of the underlying cavity. In this case, it contains intestinal loops and other tissues from the abdominal cavity. The presence of intestinal loops in the hernia sac puts them at risk of obstruction. When this happens, an emergency surgical operation is required. Without the operation part of the loops may have their blood supply cut off and they may lose viability.
There are a number of signs and symptoms that are associated with this condition. One of the commonest is the presence of a swelling in the affected area. The swelling will be seen intermittently as abdominal pressure increases and reduces. The pressure may increase when one bears down, coughs or lifts heavy items. Pain may also be experienced especially if the defect is restricting the movement of herniated structures.
Apart from the suggestive symptoms, your doctor will have to conduct a physical examination. The examination will be centered on establishing characteristics such as location, size, contents and reducibility among others. Some doctors may also request for some investigations to confirm the diagnosis. Those that are commonly used include ultrasound scans and CT scans. Blood tests may be needed as well if a decision to have surgery is made.
The treatment chosen will depend on the findings after the history, physical examination and the imaging studies. Small defects that are not causing any discomfort may be managed conservatively through watchful waiting except in cases where the patient requests for surgery. There are two main techniques that are employed during surgery. These include the open technique and the laparoscopic technique.
The open technique is where a surgical incision is made near the hernia pouch to gain access to the defect. Once it is opened, a mesh is fitted near the defect to block the defect. An alternative is to close the defect using permanent sutures. In the laparoscopic technique, an instrument known as a laparoscope is inserted into the abdominal cavity using three ports. The defect is accessed from the inside and repaired through suturing or meshing.
No drug can help seal this defect. This means that you have to sign up for the operation if you hope to be free of hernias. The surgery itself is usually simple and with very few complications. Those that are likely to be encountered include bleeding, injuries to structures such as intestines and the bladder and infections in the intermediate term. Resumption of the normal routine is usually in a matter of days.
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