Hernia Surgery
October 25, 2021 / By Nihat.Gulaydin-2021 / Posted in General Surgery
Stomach hernia (Hiatal Hernia)
Hiatal hernia is a condition in which a part of the stomach passes into the rib cage. Its occurrence is either congenital or acquired, and it develops in patients with long-term stomach problems such as gastritis and ulcers. The most common complaint of patients is that the food they eat reaches the esophagus and mouth along with stomach acid and bile.
The stomach valve prevents the food we ingest from coming back into the esophagus. The expansion of this valve or the sliding of a part of the stomach upwards into the chest disrupts the valve mechanism and causes a disease we call Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD).
This condition causes constant pain and burning in the rib cage in our patients, causing a significant deterioration in their quality of life. The condition should first be determined by gastroscopy in patients. Additionally, the presence of reflux should be detected by 24-hour PH monitoring.
Patients with hiatal hernia and reflux in advanced stages should definitely undergo surgery. Laparoscopic Nissen Funduplication surgery, which is performed as a surgical treatment, solves the problems radically. It is not possible for advanced stage patients to recover with drug treatment.
The surgery takes approximately 2 hours with the closed method. The valve is repaired and food is prevented from coming back into the esophagus. Patients start feeding and are discharged the next day.
Inguinal hernia (Inguinal Hernia)
Hernias that occur in the groin area are called inguinal hernias. While they may be congenital, they develop in adulthood as a result of increased intra-abdominal pressure due to heavy lifting, chronic cough and constipation.
The treatment is surgical correction. In untreated patients, the intestine may suffocate in the hernia sac and patients may have to undergo risky surgical procedures. Open surgical method and closed (laparoscopic) method can be applied.
Since there is little pain and no incision-related wound problems in laparoscopic surgery, the closed method should be preferred in appropriate cases. In laparoscopic (Total extraperitoneal hernia repair-TEP) surgery, the hernia is repaired through 3 small holes opened in the midline of the abdominal wall. After the procedure, which takes approximately 1 hour, patients only need to stay in the hospital for 1 day.
Hernia repair is done with specially produced patches. These patches are compatible with tissue and become a part of the body over time. Our patients are asked not to lift heavy objects for approximately 3 months after the surgery.
Umbilical hernia (Umblikal Hernia)
Umbilical hernia can be congenital or acquired. They develop in older ages due to increased intra-abdominal pressure due to heavy lifting, chronic cough and constipation.
The treatment is surgery performed by open or closed (laparoscopic) method. The basic treatment is to close the opening safely, using the patient's own tissue or suitable patches.
Hernias developing at surgery sites (Incisional Hernia)
These are hernias that develop over time in the areas of previous surgery in the abdominal area. They can be of many different sizes. The larger the hernia area, the more difficult the surgery becomes. Surgery must be performed without delay. The hernia opening often contains intra-abdominal organs (intestines, omentum). If the hernia becomes strangulated, intestinal death may occur and it may be necessary to excise this part of the intestine.
In the repair process, while the patient's own tissue is sufficient for small hernias, special patches are required for large hernias.