Hernia

A hernia is a hole in the tough layers of the abdominal wall that hold our intestines in. Your intestines can get stuck in a hernia, shutting off their blood supply and even die if your hernia is not repaired within about 6 hours. Intestines are more likely to get stuck in smaller hernias.

Most hernias should be fixed as soon as convenient so your intestines don't get stuck. Exceptions include:

• Poor health in which the risk of surgery is greater than the risk your intestines will become stuck in the hernia
• Navel hernias in children under 5 which usually close on their own
• Hernias after surgery, which are best repaired a year or longer after the original surgery

Groin hernias are the most common hernias. Groin hernias are most common in men. There are four competing groin hernia repairs:

• traditional, in which the tough layers of the abdominal wall are stitched back together,
• laparoscopic or repair through a lighted scope,
• tension free mesh
• mesh plug and patch

• Hernia.org is a comprehensive interactive site describing all types of hernias. It loads slowly because it contains many pictures, but the pictures are worth waiting for.
• Causes and Surgery abdominal hernias, American Medical Association
• Hernia and Hernia Repair Surgery Health Square
• Hernia Resource Center briefly describes hernias and the four competing methods to surgically treat them.
• Groin hernia United Kingdom net doctor
• Hernia Surgery Discussion Board
• Hernia surgery experiences described by patients
• Hernia instrucciones en español MedLinePlus

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