Hernia Surgery
Singapore

Dr Jonathan Foo Shuo Min
Consultant General Surgeon

Introduction

Hernias are a common medical condition, affecting millions of people worldwide. They occur when an organ or fatty tissue squeezes through a weak spot in a surrounding muscle or connective tissue. They are most common in the abdomen, but can also appear in the upper thigh, belly button, and groin areas. Hernia surgery is often required to repair these weak spots and prevent further complications.

Types Of Hernias

Hernias are a common medical condition that occur when an organ or fatty tissue squeezes through a weak spot in a surrounding muscle or connective tissue. They can occur in various parts of the body, each with its unique characteristics. Here are the common types of hernias:

Inguinal Hernia

This is the most common type of hernia, accounting for 75% of all hernias. They primarily affect men or people assigned male at birth. Inguinal hernias occur when part of the bowel protrudes into the inguinal canal, a passageway that runs down the inner thigh.

Femoral Hernia

A femoral hernia is a less common type of groin hernia that occurs in the femoral canal, which runs underneath the inguinal canal. Fatty tissue may poke through this type of hernia.

Hiatal Hernia

Occurs when the opening in the diaphragm, where the oesophagus passes through, widens, and the top of the stomach pushes up through the opening into the chest.

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

This is a serious birth defect in which the diaphragm doesn’t close all the way during fetal development. It can cause abdominal organs to slip up into the chest cavity while the organs are still growing, crowding the lungs.

Incisional Hernia

This type of hernia occurs when tissue protrudes through a former incision in the abdominal wall that weakened over time. It’s a common side effect of abdominal surgery.

Umbilical Hernia

An umbilical hernia occurs when part of the intestine pokes through an opening in the abdominal wall near the belly button. Most umbilical hernias are congenital (present from birth).

Ventral Hernia

A ventral hernia is any hernia that occurs through the front wall of the abdomen. It includes umbilical hernias and incisional hernias. An “epigastric hernia” is a ventral hernia above the belly button.

Perineal Hernia

This type of hernia occurs when organs or tissue push through an opening or weakness in the pelvic floor into the abdominal cavity. These hernias are relatively rare.

Causes and risk factors for hernias

Hernias are caused by a combination of muscle weakness and strain. A hernia can develop quickly or over a long period, depending on its cause. Some of the common causes and risk factors for hernias include:

  • Age: As we age, our muscles weaken, increasing the risk of hernias.
  • Chronic coughing or sneezing: These actions can put pressure on your abdominal wall, leading to a hernia.
  • Heavy lifting: Lifting heavy objects without stabilizing the abdominal muscles can lead to a hernia.
  • Obesity: Extra weight can cause pressure on your abdomen, leading to a hernia.
  • Pregnancy: The pressure and weight from pregnancy can cause hernias in women.
  • Previous surgical incision: Hernias can form at the site of previous surgeries.

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Hernias

Hernias are often identified by a noticeable bulge in the affected area. Other common symptoms include:

  • Pain or discomfort in the affected area, especially when lifting, bending over, or coughing.
  • A feeling of heaviness or pressure in the abdomen.
  • A burning or aching sensation at the site of the bulge.
  • In severe cases, nausea, vomiting, or fever.

Diagnosis of a hernia often involves a physical examination by a healthcare provider. In some cases, imaging tests such as ultrasounds, CT scans, or MRIs may be used to confirm the diagnosis.

Types of Hernia Surgeries

Hernia surgeries aim to return the displaced tissues to their proper place and repair the weakened muscles. There are several types of hernia surgeries, including:

In this traditional method, a large incision is made in the abdomen, and the hernia is repaired with stitches, and often a synthetic mesh. This method has a longer recovery time but is sometimes necessary based on the size and location of the hernia.

This is a minimally invasive procedure where several small incisions are made, and a laparoscope, a long, thin tube with a high-intensity light and a high-resolution camera at the front, is inserted. The surgeon then uses images from the laparoscope to guide the repair.

Recovery and Post-Operative Care

After hernia surgery, patients are often able to go home the same day but may need to limit their activities for a period of time. Pain and discomfort can be managed with medications. It’s important to follow all post-operative care instructions, including wound care and activity restrictions, to ensure a smooth recovery.

Dr Jonathan Foo Shuo Min

Consultant General Surgeon

Dr Jonathan Foo has expertise in managing various General Surgical and Colorectal conditions. He excels at advanced endoscopic, open and minimally invasive (“key-hole”) techniques, as well as robotic surgery.

Dr Foo is a specialist Colorectal surgeon with comprehensive training in other minimally invasive(laparoscopic) General Surgical conditions such as hernia repair and gallbladder surgery.

  • MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine & Surgery, NUS) 2002
  • MRCSEd (Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh) 2007
  • MMed (Master of Medicine in Surgery) 2008
  • Further Advanced Training At the Minimally Invasive Colorectal Unit in Portsmouth, UK

Dr Foo firmly believes that every surgical procedures must be customized to the individual in order to achieve an optimal outcome for his patients.

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