What is Hernia Surgery?
A hernia is the protrusion or penetration of an organ through the wall of a cavity that normally contains it. Hernia is Latin for protrusion.
A hiatal hernia occurs when there is a protrusion upwards from the stomach into the mediastinum through the esophageal opening in the diaphragm.
One of the most common herniae develops in the abdomen, when a weakness in the abdominal wall evolves into a “hole”, through which tissue or abdominal organs may protrude. An example is an inguinal hernia (see picture below).
Herniae shows itself through a visible lump. There may or may not be pain at the site.
There may be certain symptoms resulting from pressure on an organ which has become “lodged” in the hernia, sometimes leading to organ fungi. Fatty tissue may enter a hernia followed by a kidney.
Surgery may be required to repair a hernia and in some cases, this must be done swiftly, especially if there is pain.
