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You may have heard of hernias quite often but ever wondered what exactly it is. A hernia is a medical condition in which a weakened abdominal wall allows the contents of your abdomen to protrude or bulge out.
A hernia is not just of one type. Yes, there are several types of hernias, the majority of which occur in the abdomen. One such type of abdominal hernia, called epigastric hernia, is going to be discussed in this article.
An epigastric hernia occurs when the abdominal contents push through the midline of the epigastrium. This is the area between your sternum (breastbone) and the belly button. An epigastric hernia mainly presents no or minimal symptoms. However, it does not go away on its own, and can only be treated through surgery.
Let’s find out more about epigastric hernia, one of the most popular surgical techniques used to treat laparoscopic epigastric hernia repair.
An epigastric hernia is a medical condition in which abdominal contents push through a weak spot in the abdominal wall to form a bulge. An epigastric hernia is called so because it develops in the epigastrium, which is the region below the breastbone and above the navel. Epigastric hernias are commonly seen in adults as well as in children. An individual may have more than one epigastric hernia at the same time.
Like other hernias, the exact cause of an epigastric hernia is not known. However, it is believed to be caused by a weakness in the abdominal wall muscles or due to incomplete closure of abdominal tissue during development. Factors such as obesity, pregnancy, persistent coughing, heavy lifting, and involvement in strenuous labor or sports activities may increase the risk of epigastric hernias.
Epigastric hernias are frequently small and asymptomatic and may seem to appear and disappear, in which case they are referred to as reducible hernias. When the hernia shows symptoms, it seems like an abdominal lump that can be seen and felt and may be accompanied by pain and tenderness. Actions such as crying, straining, or defecating can create abdominal pressure and may produce or exacerbate these symptoms.
In symptomatic cases, leaving an epigastric hernia untreated can lead to complications such as strangulation and bowel obstruction. Therefore if you notice any signs or symptoms of an epigastric hernia, it is important to consult a doctor for an expert opinion. Let’s take a detailed look at the treatment modalities.
Surgery is the only long-term treatment method for an epigastric hernia. Epigastric hernia repair surgery can be performed via the conventional open technique or laparoscopically.
Let’s learn more about laparoscopic epigastric hernia repair.
Laparoscopic epigastric hernia repair is a minimally invasive surgical technique that is used to treat epigastric hernias using a laparoscope. A laparoscope is a thin, long, flexible tube with a camera and light source at one end, which is inserted into a patient’s body to transmit live images of the internal structures onto a monitor. This helps a surgeon visualize the inside of a patient’s body and focus on the site to be operated on.
In a laparoscopic epigastric hernia repair, the surgeon makes a few small incisions (keyhole-sized) on either side of the hernia and inserts a laparoscope through one of the incisions. After accessing the epigastric hernia and viewing its details on a monitor, surgical tools are inserted through the other incisions. The herniated tissue is pushed back into place with the tools. The holes in the abdominal wall are closed with sutures and a piece of mesh may be used to close and strengthen the abdominal wall. Finally, the laparoscope and surgical tools are removed and the incisions are closed.
Laparoscopic epigastric hernia repair has the following benefits when compared to traditional surgery:
Any surgery, no matter how small, comes with the possibility of complications. Laparoscopic epigastric hernia repair comes with the risk of the following complications:
Surgery can be a daunting aspect, and feeling anxious is absolutely normal. The massive amount of information you can get from the internet may confuse you even more. This is where Medfin can help. Leave us the hefty task of finding the best hospital, the finest doctor, and the latest procedure at the lowest cost. Let us take charge while you sit back and focus on your health and recovery. Think surgery! Think Medfin!
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