When there is a weakness in the muscle wall or connective tissue (fascia), and an organ or fatty tissue protrudes through it, this is known as a hernia. The most common types of hernias are inguinal (inner groin), incisional (caused by an incision), femoral (outer groin), umbilical (belly button) and hiatal (upper stomach).
Congenital hernias develop before birth and are present upon birth, but may not be detected for weeks, months, or even years. A hernia that occurs much later in life may be the result of a weakness that you have had since you were a newborn.
Acquired hernias occur when the muscles or connective tissue in the abdomen become injured or get weaker over time, disrupting the body's natural cycle of tissue breakdown and repair.
A soft swelling or bulge under the skin is a classic sign of a hernia. The location of the bulge will be determined by the type of hernia present. Some hernias are only visible when one is standing and may disappear when lying down. Others may be noticeable only when your muscles are strained by coughing, sneezing, laughing, bending or lifting.
There is a small risk that an organ such as the intestine (bowel) will become trapped when it pushes through the abdominal wall. This is referred to as an "incarcerated hernia”. If part of your intestine becomes trapped outside the abdominal wall and you are unable to push it back into your abdomen, you may experience pain or feel a hard mass on your abdomen. In such a situation, emergency medical intervention is required.
The most common type of hernia, it occurs when the intestine protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscle or into the inguinal canal in the groin. This results in a bulge on either side of the pubic bone that can be painful. Inguinal hernias tend to affect men more. In Singapore, hernia treatment may take the form of a hernia operation, or as recommended by one’s doctor.
A femoral hernia occurs when tissue pushes through the inner thigh or a weak spot in the groin. This form of hernia is more common in women. Common causes include straining during bowel movements, lifting heavy weights, and excessive coughing. A hernia surgeon may recommend hernia repair in Singapore to fix a femoral hernia.
An umbilical hernia occurs when a piece of the bowel or fatty tissue bulges through the abdomen near the navel (belly button). It is especially common in babies under 6 months old, but can also happen to adults. In some cases (if the hernia is causing pain or at risk of strangulation), a hernia operation may then be required to treat the patient properly.
A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach pushes up into the chest cavity through an opening in the muscle separating your abdomen and chest (diaphragm). Common symptoms include heartburn, acid reflux or GERD, chest pain, bloating, and trouble swallowing. While some cases can be treated with lifestyle changes and medication, other cases that are more severe may require a hernia repair in Singapore.
Hernia repair surgery is one of the world’s most common surgical procedures. Hernia surgery can help to relieve pain, return the hernia abdominal organs to their correct place and, strengthen the weak muscle area. A hernia operation usually takes around an hour as a day case procedure. It can be performed by:
Under general anaesthesia, an incision usually around 2.5 to 3 inches is made to your skin near your hernia and your surgeon will push your hernia back into your abdomen. Commonly, a mesh is placed over the defect and fixed using fine stitches. The mesh acts like a scaffold and your own tissue will grow through the mesh to reinforce the weakened area without putting tension on the surrounding tissues.
Under general anaesthesia, three smaller incisions are made to allow your surgeon to use a less invasive technique using various special instruments including a tiny telescopic camera to repair your hernia. A mesh is then be used to strengthen your abdominal wall.
Consultant Vascular & General Surgeon
MBBS (Singapore), MMed (Singapore), FRCS (Edinburgh)
An experienced vascular and general surgeon in Singapore, Dr Sujit Singh Gill’s main interests include the minimally invasive treatment of venous, arterial and diabetes-related vascular disorders. His expertise in general surgery also allows him to treat various colorectal, gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary conditions with good patient outcomes. Having trained in Singapore, Australia and the United Kingdom, Dr Sujit Singh Gill’s diverse background also helps put his patients at ease.
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The Vascular & General Surgery Centre
Unit 18-05, Paragon Medical Suites, 290 Orchard Road, Singapore 238859
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