Hernia Surgery

A Hernia occurs when an internal part of your body, such as an organ, pushes through a weak area in the muscle or surrounding tissue wall, usually between the chest and hips. While it is a common condition that for many produces very few symptoms, in some cases surgery may be required to repair it.

At New Victoria Hospital our nationally-acclaimed Hernia surgeons offer the latest cutting-edge surgical treatments to treat a range of Hernia types.

Part of a multidisciplinary team that features experienced nurses and specialist physiotherapists, our Hernia Consultants make sure every patient who undergoes private Hernia surgery at New Victoria Hospital enjoys the highest standards of care in a comfortable and friendly environment.

What is a Hernia?

A Hernia develops when part of an organ or fatty tissue squeezes through a weak spot in the muscle or connective tissue (called fascia) that surrounds it. The majority of Hernias occur within the abdominal cavity, between the chest and the hips. In many cases a Hernia can go unnoticed as it causes very few symptoms and little discomfort. However, sufferers often report seeing swelling or a visible lump in their abdomen or groin (particularly when they cough or strain) that can be pushed in when they lie down.

Depending on the size of the Hernia there are instances when it can cause an individual pain and lead to additional problems such as chronic heartburn or acid reflux. In rare cases a Hernia can affect the blood supply to an organ or tissues (strangulation), or a piece of bowel can get blocked (obstruction). In this instance immediate medical attention is required.

There are a number of common types of Hernia:

Inguinal Hernia – fatty tissue or a part of the bowel is poking through into the inguinal canal in the groin at the top of the inner thigh.
Femoral Hernia – when tissue is poking through into the femoral canal in the groin at the top of the inner thigh.
Incisional Hernia – when tissue is protruding through a surgical wound or incision that hasn’t fully healed.
Umbilical/Paraumbilical Hernias – when tissue is pushing through the area around the navel (belly button).
Epigastric Hernia – when tissue is poking through into the upper part of the abdominal wall.

Other types of Hernia include: Spigelian Hernias, Sports Hernias, Diaphragmatic Hernias, Muscle Hernias.

When Does a Hernia Require Surgery?

If you have been diagnosed with a Hernia a number of factors will be taken into account by a Hernia Consultant when deciding whether surgery is required:

The type of Hernia - strangulation or obstruction is more likely in certain types of Hernia so a specialist may feel it is best to remove that risk.

The content of the Hernia - if the Hernia contains a part of the bowel, muscle or other tissue, the chances of strangulation or obstruction increase.

Its Impact on daily life - if a Hernia is stopping a person from carrying out their daily activities, or symptoms increase in severity, fixing it may be the only way the issues can be rectified.

Hernia Treatment at New Victoria Hospital

There are two main surgical methods that we use to treat hernias at New Victoria Hospital:

Open surgery - a surgeon makes an incision close to the Hernia, allowing them to push the lump back into the abdominal area.
Keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery - a surgeon makes several small cuts close to the site of the Hernia. A less invasive form of surgery, a surgeon then uses special instruments to repair it.

In both instances, the Surgeon may choose to insert a synthetic mesh to cover the weak spot before strengthening the muscle layer with stitches. As the operation usually takes about 45 minutes most people are able to go home the same day or the day after surgery.

All Hernia patients at New Victoria Hospital enjoy point-of-care access to a state-of-the-art imaging suite that boasts the very latest imaging equipment, including MRI, CT and ultrasound.