Hernia Repair

What is a hernia?

A hernia occurs when tissue or part of an organ, usually the intestines, protrudes through a weak point or tear in the abdominal wall, forming a sac. The protruding tissue may lose blood supply and become obstructed, resulting in health problems as serious as life-threatening gangrene.

What causes hernias?

Hernias may be present at birth or they may occur later in life from a number of causes, including heavy lifting. The exact cause is often unknown.

What are the symptoms of a hernia?

Hernias usually cause pain in the groin or abdomen when lifting heavy objects, coughing or straining during urination or bowel movements. A tender or non-tender lump or bulge may also be apparent. If the hernia is entrapped or strangulated, patients may experience severe pain, redness and tenderness.

How are hernias repaired?

Surgery is the only method to correct hernias. Among the most common procedures in the U.S., hernia surgery is performed to alleviate pain and to correct or prevent the occurrence of more serious problems. Surgery should be performed on any hernia, but it is especially recommended for patients with pain; who are at high risk for blockage, such as large amounts of tissue protruding through a small hole; and whose life is hampered by the hernia.

What are my surgical options?

Open Hernia Repair - The most common hernia repair procedure is traditional (open or "tension-free") surgery. Usually done with local anesthesia, a large incision is made over the hernia. The tissue is then dissected and pushed back, and a synthetic mesh is placed over the defect for support. Full recovery takes a month to six weeks.

Laparoscopic Hernia Repair - The more recent, minimally invasive technique of laparoscopy, done under general anesthesia, involves the creation of three small incisions in the abdomen, the insufflation of carbon dioxide gas to create a "work space" and the use of a laparoscope, a thin instrument with a camera on the end allowing the surgeon to see inside the patient’s body without the need for large incisions. Other necessary surgical instruments are employed through the other small incisions. This "transabdominal" method causes less trauma to the body, so post-operative pain is less and recovery is shorter (about a week) than with the open approach. Disadvantages include the risk of organ puncture.

Kugel Method - The recently introduced Kugel method combines the small incisions and extra-abdominal "work space" of laparoscopic surgery with the mesh repair used in open surgery. The hernia is dissected under general or local anesthesia and recovery time is usually about one week. Patients who undergo this procedure have a recurrence rate of less than 1%.

What happens after surgery?

Patients can usually return home the same day as their hernia repair surgery, as these procedures are performed on an outpatient basis. Patients may experience soreness for the first day or two after surgery, but are encouraged to walk the day after surgery.

You will be able to return to work and other normal activities shortly after the procedure, although exercise and other strenuous activities should be avoided for longer.

If you experience fever, chills, vomiting or drainage from the incisions, call your doctor immediately, as these may be signs of infection or other serious complications.

Thyroid Surgery

Thyroid surgery is used to treat several different thyroid conditions such as nodules, cancer and hyperthyroidism. Surgery is often considered a last resort for thyroid conditions and may be used if more conservative treatments have failed, a condition is recurring or cancer is present. Thyroid surgery removes part or all of the thyroid gland, depending on the type and severity of the condition.

The different types of thyroid surgery include:

Thyroid lobectomy - only the lobe of the thyroid is removed if a thyroid nodule is confined to just that area. This may also be performed with an isthmusectomy to remove the isthmus, the structure that connects the two lobes.
Subtotal thyroidectomy - one complete lobe, the isthmus and part of the other lobe is removed. This is typically used for hyperthyroidism caused by Graves' disease and small cancers.
Total thyroidectomy - the entire thyroid gland and surrounding lymph nodes are removed. This is the most common procedure for thyroid cancer to completely remove the disease.

If the entire thyroid is removed, you will need to take thyroid hormone replacement drugs, usually for the rest of your life. The lack of a thyroid will often bring about signs of hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid. Symptoms of hypothyroidism may include fatigue, exhaustion, depression and difficulty concentrating

Thyroid surgeries are performed through an incision in the middle of the neck. The procedure usually takes about two hours and is done under general anesthesia. An overnight hospital stay is required, but most patients are able to resume normal activities the day after surgery. Strenuous activities should be avoided for at least 10 days after surgery. Thyroid surgeries are considered safe procedures with few complications. Some people may experience hoarseness or a sore throat because of the breathing tube used during surgery.

Call us today to discuss your treatment options with one of our doctors and find out if thyroid surgery is right for you.