Herniorrhaphy (Hernia)
Inguinal herniorrhaphy (HI) is a surgical procedure which involves the removal of part or all of the intestines through incisions made into the abdomen. This type of surgery is usually performed when there are problems with the intestines due to cancer, infection, tumors, etc. In some cases it may even be necessary to remove part or all of the stomach.
The procedure itself is very simple: the surgeon makes a small cut in the abdominal wall and inserts a long tube called an ileostomy bag. The tube goes up into the abdomen and then out through another opening in the skin at the top of your belly button. A plastic catheter is placed down into your bladder to collect urine.
Your doctor will use special instruments to make small cuts around your organs so they don’t fall off during surgery. You’ll probably feel a little uncomfortable while waiting for the operation to take place.
How common is inguinal herniorrhaphy?
In most countries, the number one cause of death in women under age 50 is complications from childbirth. So if you’re thinking about having children, you might want to think twice before doing so!
But what about men?
Well, according to statistics, men have a slightly higher risk of dying from any cause than women do. And while some of these deaths are from disease or trauma, a fair proportion of them are due to…. hernias! So if you’re a man thinking about getting married and having children, then you might want to think twice before doing so as well!
The inguinal canal contains the spermatic cord (which contains the testicles and ducts that carry the male germ cells) and the artery that feeds blood into it.
Recurrent or “cricked” hernias occur when the canal’s muscles have been stretched or torn as a result of straining, and then return after they heal causing a bulge in the groin. If an individual has recurrent hernias, they are prone to future medical problems.
The word hernia comes from the Greek “hernia” meaning “protrusion,” and this is exactly what happens during an inguinal hernia. The contents of the abdomen (stomach, intestines, etc) push through a weak area in the muscular wall and into the inguinal canal. If the condition goes untreated, it becomes a “conguinal” hernia where all the contents of the abdomen protrude into the inguinal canal.
The inguinal canal is a channel that runs along the inside of the upper part of the leg through the groin. It is a space that contains nerves and blood vessels as well as the spermatic cord. The inguinal canal is closed in males at birth but females have a patent (open) inguinal canal which is sometimes referred to as the “inguinal ring.”
Herniorrhaphy is a surgical procedure in which a weak or damaged portion of the spermatic cord or other contents of the inguinal canal are repaired or replaced. It is typically carried out to correct a hernia, which is a serious condition that requires immediate treatment.
During inguinal herniorrhaphy, your doctor will make a cut in the skin directly over the site of the hernia and push the bulging contents back through the inguinal canal. The hernia sac will then be repaired or replaced. The operation is relatively simple for a trained surgeon and most patients are able to walk around the same day.
During a herniorrhaphy, your surgeon may encounter other complications such as a strangulated hernia in which the blood supply to a loop of bowel is compromised. In this case, the bowel tissue starts to die and may eventually require removal. If your surgeon locates an incarcerated hernia, it will be treated by pushing the bulging contents back through the inguinal canal and placing a mesh sling inside the canal to support these tissues.
Other complications that may occur during inguinal herniorrhaphy include excessive bleeding, damage to nearby nerves or blood vessels, or infection at the operation site. If infection occurs, you will be prescribed with antibiotics.
Herniorrhaphy can also be carried out using key-hole surgery (laparoscopy). In this procedure, the surgeon makes a few small incisions (cuts) in the abdomen and inserts a surgical telescope to inspect the hernia. Small instruments are then used to repair or replace the damaged tissue and the surgeon can monitor bleeding during the operation.
Sources & references used in this article:
Laparoscopic herniorrhaphy. by JD Corbitt Jr – Surgical laparoscopy & endoscopy, 1991 – europepmc.org
Laparoscopic herniorrhaphy. by CJ Filipi, RJ Fitzgibbons Jr, GM Salerno… – The Surgical Clinics of …, 1992 – europepmc.org
A review of chronic pain after inguinal herniorrhaphy by AS Poobalan, J Bruce, WCS Smith… – The Clinical journal …, 2003 – journals.lww.com
Herniorrhaphy: a personal experience with 6,321 cases by IL Lichtenstein – The American journal of surgery, 1987 – Elsevier
Postoperative pain after inguinal herniorrhaphy with different types of anesthesia. by M Tverskoy, C Cozacov, M Ayache… – Anesthesia and …, 1990 – europepmc.org
Laparoscopic or open inguinal herniorrhaphy?: a randomized prospective trial by JH Payne, LM Grininger, MT Izawa, EF Podoll… – Archives of …, 1994 – jamanetwork.com
