Treatment for a Hernia
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Expert Hernia Treatment in London
A hernia occurs when a weak spot develops in the abdominal wall, allowing fatty tissue, part of the bowel, or another internal organ to push through the surrounding muscle. Hernias most commonly appear in the abdomen or groin, although they can develop in several areas of the body.
The British Hernia Centre in London provides specialist treatment for a hernia, helping patients understand their symptoms and the most appropriate treatment options.
Hernia Symptoms
Many people first notice a hernia as a lump or swelling beneath the skin. This often appears in the groin area, near the belly button, or along a previous surgical scar.
Common hernia symptoms include:
- A visible lump or swelling
- Discomfort when coughing, lifting or bending
- A feeling of pressure in the abdomen or groin
- Pain that may worsen during physical activity
In some cases, the hernia can become trapped. This is known as an incarcerated hernia. If the blood supply to the trapped tissue becomes restricted, it can develop into a strangulated hernia, which requires urgent medical treatment.
Types of Hernia and Where They Occur
There are several types of hernia, depending on where the weakness occurs in the abdominal wall.
Common types of hernia include:
- Inguinal hernias: the most common type, usually appearing in the groin near the top of your inner thigh
- Femoral hernias: less common hernias that also occur in the groin
- Umbilical hernias: hernias that develop near the belly button
- Incisional hernias: hernias that occur through a previous surgical scar
- Epigastric hernias: small hernias that form in the upper abdomen
When Is Treatment for a Hernia Needed?
Because a hernia occurs when the muscle wall becomes weakened, it usually does not improve on its own. In many cases, the most effective treatment for a hernia is hernia repair surgery.
Early treatment can help prevent the hernia from becoming larger or more uncomfortable. It can also reduce the risk of complications such as incarceration or restricted blood flow.
How we've helped make a difference
Frequently Asked Questions
Most hernias around the world are repaired by general surgeons as just one of the list of procedures they perform. Hernia is not a subject that has attracted enough interest generally to make it a specialised area. The slow development of modern hernia techniques is a result. We feel that hernia needs specialisation.
See also, why a specialist hernia centre.
The easiest way to compare is to start with these simple questions. For example,
How many tens of thousands of hernia cases has your surgeon and his team performed? (Always ask that question) Is it done routinely under just local anaesthesia? Will you need overnight hospital admission at all? Will you be able to return to work and normal activities in the same amount of time? Are the risks of recurrence anything like the same? Do they have a 100% safety record and ZERO MRSA?
This depends upon a few variables. We repair just about every kind of hernia there is and we see patients who range from the peak of fitness and good health to really elderly and sometimes infirm patients. Some hernias are straight-forward, primary (first time) repairs, others are recurrences of repairs done elsewhere. Some are single, some are double hernias (or even more!) – and so forth. Typically the total costs are surprisingly affordable, but we need to know about the case to give an accurate guide. Try that form on the Contact Us Page. There is one for Abdominal Wall Hernia, another for Hiatus Hernia. That gives us the most important information about your case and we get back to you with our recommendations and a guide of the costs.
Not everything that is excellent is expensive and you may be very pleasantly surprised at how affordable it is.
Most certainly. Hernias need to be seen as early as possible and we would work around the clock to ensure we have no long waiting lists. Depending upon workload, we can see patients within days, commonly within two weeks and rarely more than 3 weeks after contacting us. For appointments, just call us. See the Contact Us page for everything you need.
Hernia surgery is no different to any other walk of life in this regard. If other operations are done better by people who specialise in that work, then hernia is no different. Expert opinion now recognises the importance of specialisation in hernia, not only by the surgeon, but the rest of the team and the unit where the work is done.
Our own results have been improved on because of our experience with so many cases each year. We started off with excellent results, but by doing tens of thousands of hernias, even they were dramatically improved upon. See Value of Specialisation.
Not many of them really do, but if your local hospital really does do the same operation – and by a dedicated, highly experienced team specialising in hernia who are achieving – and publishing – the same results, you can use either of us. Not all hernia operations are the same, unfortunately, nor are the outcomes, so choose wisely.
The next Question will help you…
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Hernia Treatment Options
The main treatment for most hernias is hernia repair surgery.
Local Anaesthetic Hernia Repair: At The British Hernia Centre, many hernia procedures are performed under local anaesthetic. This involves a small incision over the hernia so the surgeon can return the tissue to its normal position and reinforce the weak area using surgical mesh. Many patients are able to walk shortly after surgery and return home the same day.
Laparoscopic Hernia Repair: In selected cases, laparoscopic surgery, often described as minimally invasive or keyhole surgery, may be considered. This technique uses small incisions and specialised instruments to repair the hernia from inside the abdomen.
Book a Consultation
The British Hernia Centre provides specialist treatment for a hernia, from diagnosis through to expert surgical care.
During consultation we will:
- Confirm your diagnosis
- Identify the type of hernia
- Explain the most suitable treatment options
- Discuss recovery and surgical planning
Contact us today organise your consultation with a surgeon.