What is a hernia?

The term "hernia" refers to an organ that pokes through a weak area of muscle or tissue. You may have heard terms like "hiatal hernia" or "inguinal hernia". Various parts of your body may herniate (e.g., a disk in the lower back), causing pain or discomfort.

When part of the small intestine pushes through the abdominal wall, it creates a hernia. When this happens near the navel, it is called an umbilical or ventral hernia. A bulge near the groin is usually caused by an inguinal hernia. This is more common in men than women and may occur at any age. Routine physical exams check for hernias. If not diagnosed, a hernia could cause serious problems.

Umbilical or ventral hernias are very common in babies, but they usually close on their own as the baby grows. Adults may have ventral hernias years after having surgery.

Why does a hernia need to be fixed?

A reducible hernia is one that can be pushed back into place. If a hernia can no longer be pushed back inside the abdomen, this is called an incarcerated hernia. This is usually very painful. An incarcerated hernia (a twist in the trapped intestine that blocks blood flow) can become strangulated.

Surgery is required to prevent strangulation. A strangulated hernia must be fixed immediately.

How is a hernia repaired?

There are several ways that a hernia can be repaired through surgery. Most surgeons prefer laparoscopy (using a fiber-optic scope inserted through a small incision). In some cases, traditional surgery may be necessary, leaving a scar several inches long.

If the hernia is small, stitches may be used to close the hole and fix the problem. In adults, a mesh-like material is often used to "patch" the weak area.

Surgery is the only effective way to fix a hernia.

How long does the procedure take?

The surgery itself may take less than an hour, but the preparation and recovery time may add several hours. Usually, general anesthesia (being put to sleep) is used. Many patients go home the same day as the surgery if there are no major problems.

What are the risks?

The operation is considered low risk, so serious problems are rare. Bleeding and infection are possible at the incision. The risk of injury to other organs is very small.

If a strangulated hernia is not repaired, it could lead to death.

Talk to your doctor if you think you have a hernia.

Related Article

External Sources American College of Surgeons National Institutes of Health (NIH) The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons

This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.