Ignoring a hernia can affect your ability to function and cause intestinal obstruction requiring major surgery if not treated quickly. If you have a hernia but have avoided getting the treatment you need, talk to one of our doctors at STAT Surgical in San Antonio, TX. They perform simple and complex hernia repairs incorporating advanced techniques designed to relieve pain quickly and help you recover faster.
Many hernias: multiple solutions.
Inguinal hernia is fairly common. This is one of the most common hernia types, affecting millions of Americans and leading to hundreds of thousands of operations a year.
Inguinal hernia occurs in the groin. It’s called “inguinal” because the intestine or bowel pushes through a weak spot in the inguinal canal: a triangle-shaped opening in the abdominal muscles close to the groin. Obesity, pregnancy, heavy lifting and straining to pass stool can cause the intestine to push against the inguinal canal and may cause a hernia.
Incisional or ventral hernia?
Ventral hernias are defects in the abdominal wall. An incisional hernia can develop in the abdominal wall, around the navel, in the groin or anywhere else a surgical incision has been made. Part of the bowel or intestine may protrude through a weak spot or tear in the thin muscular wall that holds the stomach and other organs in place. The resulting bulge or tear in the abdominal muscles can often be repaired with advanced laparoscopy. Dr. Dilworth uses advanced hernia repair technologies to reinforce or bridge abdominal wall hernias for extended support during and after wound healing.
Hiatal hernia.
Hiatal hernias (also known as diaphragmatic hernias) form at the opening in your diaphragm where your esophagus joins your stomach. Most small hiatal hernias are relatively harmless. You may not know you have one unless your doctor discovers it while examining you for another condition. A large hiatal hernia, on the other hand, may allow food and acid to back up into your esophagus. This can result in heartburn and/or chest pain. Large hiatal hernias sometimes need surgical repair that can often be done laparoscopically.
Pain control.
Because certain types of hernia repairs may cause postoperative pain, Dr. Dilworth and Dr. Horvath use a leading-edge pain-relief system, when appropriate, for continuous delivery of local anesthetic directly into a surgery site for postoperative pain management.
Visit our Patient Education Library to learn more about
Advanced Hernia Repair. Call STAT Surgical at
210-657-2100 to set your preferred appointment.