Inguinal hernia

Inguinal hernias are common and can become an issue. These hernias occur in the groin region and if the organs inside the abdomen protrude or get caught through this defect, it can cause pain and even bowel strangulation.  There is often a visible bulge due to the weakness of the abdominal wall.  It can be noticeable when coughing or straining.

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The anatomy of the inguinal region is different between men and women, and care is needed when repairing these hernias. These are often surgically repaired with minimally invasive technique or with conventional open surgery.

Femoral hernia

A femoral hernia is a type of hernia that occurs in the groin area, where the inner thigh meets the lower abdomen. It happens when a portion of intestine or other tissues pushes through a weak spot through the femoral canal, next to the large femoral blood vessels that provide blood supply to the legs. Femoral hernias are more common in women than in men and can cause pain or discomfort in the affected area. If you suspect you have a femoral hernia, it's important to seek medical attention, as there is a higher chance of bowel getting stuck.

Umbilical hernia

An umbilical hernia is a condition where there is a weakness around the belly button which causes abdominal organs, commonly a small amount of fat, to protrude out. This is often small and found incidentally causing no problems. Nevertheless, it may cause pain and discomfort as the internal organs get irritated. Hernia may increase in size and lead to bowel strangulation.

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Sometimes a surgical repair is done with no mesh.

Incisional hernia

Incisional hernias form after surgery when the body doesn't heal normally from the previous incisions.  The damaged tissues are never as good as the naturally undisturbed tissue and poor healing can result in weakness of the abdominal wall.  These are often associated with risk factors, such as smoking, obesity, poorly controlled diabetes and connective tissue diseases.

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Large incisional hernias not only cause body disfigurement, but can create great discomfort and a poor quality of life. Sometimes excess skin and fat need to be removed during surgery to reduce any complications of the hernia repair. For very large hernias ("loss of domain"), botox injection is sometimes utilised pre-operatively to relax the abdominal muscles for a better closure.  It is important to seek a medical professional early to prevent any complications.

Parastomal hernia

Parastomal hernias occur when a bulge or protrusion develops around a stoma - colostomy, ileostomy, ileal conduit. This can cause discomfort, pain, ulceration of the skin due to poor appliance fitting, and even lead to complications. Treatment options include supportive garments, lifestyle changes, and surgery.

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There are various surgical methods of repair each with potential complications, including a recurrence.

Flank hernia

Flank hernias are often from a traumatic injury or previous surgery around the flank area, such as an open kidney surgery.  These hernias are one of the most challenging hernias to repair as often the muscles have retracted and the hernias are bordered by the ribs and pelvic bones. 

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These hernias are often approached with a minimally invasive technique ("key-hole" surgery), to create a new plane of dissection for optimal repair.