For many people, the thought of illness is not something they would like to experience – if they can, they would treat it and cure it, of course. But there are some conditions, although severe, that could be treated in different ways, and these conditions are common enough – and not life-threatening – for anyone to be worried. But although these conditions may not be threatening, your best recourse would still be to undergo treatment. One condition is exactly like this, affecting more people than you may realise. An inguinal hernia is a condition characterised by a weakness in the abdominal wall, and because of this weakness, a small muscle or piece of tissue begins to push through. But how can you diagnose an inguinal hernia? More importantly, what are your options for treatment? Read on to find out.
The diagnosis
An inguinal hernia is most often diagnosed with a simple examination of the area on the abdomen. First, the specialist will give you a physical examination; this examination involves checking for any bulge or lump in the groin. Often, the specialist will ask you to stand up and cough, as this may make the inguinal hernia more noticeable and prominent. If the specialist would like to be extra sure of their diagnosis, they may ask you to undergo an imaging exam, such as an ultrasound of the abdomen, an MRI, or a CT scan.
The options for treatment
As already mentioned, there are several ways you can be treated for an inguinal hernia. But if the inguinal hernia is still small and it doesn’t seem to be bothering you, the specialist may merely recommend you to be alert for any changes in size or pain. Sometimes, those with the condition wear a supportive truss to relieve them of the symptoms, but it is essential to consult your physician first because the supportive truss must fit correctly and be used properly.
When an inguinal hernia is enlarging or you experience pain, you may be recommended for surgery to relieve pain or discomfort and as a preventative measure against complications in the future. There are two types of inguinal hernia surgery – laparoscopic (keyhole) repair and open surgical repair, as a hernia surgeon in London from The London Surgical Group will tell you.
- Laparoscopic or keyhole surgery
Laparoscopic or keyhole surgery is minimally invasive because the surgeon only makes smaller cuts or incisions. However, you will have to be under general anaesthesia, and the surgeon will use a robotic or laparoscopic instrument to repair your inguinal hernia. To see your internal organs clearly, they will use gas to inflate the abdomen, as confirmed by expert surgeons from Londonsurgicalgroup.co.uk.
A tiny tube with a small camera goes through one of the incisions. As the camera guides them, they will insert tiny instruments via the other cuts or incisions to repair your inguinal hernia with a synthetic mesh material.
- Open surgery
In open surgery, you might be given general anaesthesia or local anaesthesia with sedation, and the surgeon will make a cut on your groin area and will push the protrusion back to your abdomen. They will then sew the site back, and they may reinforce it with the use of synthetic mesh. The surgeon will then close the cut with staples, surgical glue, or stitches.
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