Hernia Treatment at CritiCare Asia Hospitals, Juhu
A hernia is a weak spot or gap in the abdominal wall through which fatty tissue or a loop of bowel pushes outwards. Most people first spot it as a soft bulge that appears on standing or coughing and goes down when they lie flat. It does not heal on its own, and it usually grows with time. The General Surgery team at CritiCare Asia Hospitals provides hernia surgery in Juhu, Mumbai, from the first examination through to repair and recovery.
Types of Hernia
The position of the bulge usually tells the surgeon which type is involved.
- Inguinal
in the groin. This is the most common type, and men are affected more often than women. - Femoral
just below the groin crease, more frequent in women, and more likely to get trapped. - Umbilical
at the navel, seen in babies as well as adults. - Incisional
through the scar of an earlier abdominal operation where the wall never regained its full strength. - Hiatal
the upper stomach slides through the diaphragm into the chest. It often shows up as reflux rather than a lump.
Common Symptoms to watch for
Many hernias cause no pain, which is why they can go unnoticed for years. Signs include:
- A lump that becomes more prominent when you stand, strain or cough
- An ache, burning or dragging feeling at the site, often worse by evening
- Discomfort while lifting, bending or passing stool
- Heartburn, chest discomfort or trouble swallowing, in the case of a hiatal hernia
Some hernias turn into emergencies. If the contents become trapped, their blood supply can be cut off. Go to hospital straight away if the lump turns firm and will not go back in, the skin over it looks red or purple, or the pain is sudden and severe. Vomiting, bloating, or being unable to pass stool or wind alongside a bulge points the same way. Speak to our hernia specialists in Mumbai for urgent diagnosis and care.
Causes and Risk factors
Every hernia comes down to two things: pressure inside the abdomen, and a wall that cannot withstand it. Some people are born with a weak spot; others develop one over time. Pressure builds up with:
- A long-standing cough, including a smoker's cough
- Straining to pass stool or urine
- Repeated heavy lifting
- Excess weight
- Pregnancy
The wall itself weakens with age, after previous surgery at the same site, and sometimes simply because hernias run in the family.
How a Hernia is diagnosed
A surgeon can often confirm a hernia by examination alone, checking the area while you stand and cough, then again lying down. An ultrasound is added when the lump is small, when the diagnosis is unclear, or when the surgeon wants to see what lies within it. A CT scan may be needed for complicated or recurrent hernias.
Consult doctors at our Department of General Surgery for hernia treatment in Juhu, Mumbai.
Treatment options
Hernia repair surgery is the only way to repair a hernia. A small hernia that causes no symptoms may be kept under observation, but that is the surgeon's call after examination. Belts and supports can ease discomfort for a while; they do not close the defect. Two approaches are used:
- Open repair
a single incision over the hernia, through which the contents are returned and the wall reinforced. - Laparoscopic (keyhole) repair
a few small cuts, one carrying a camera, with the surgeon working from a magnified image on a screen. The wounds in laparoscopic hernia surgery are smaller, which often means less pain afterwards.
Most repairs place a surgical mesh over the weak area, as it lowers the chance of the hernia returning. The surgeon chooses a minimally invasive hernia surgery or an open one based on the hernia's type and size, whether it has come back before, and the patient's general health.
Hernia Surgery: Before, During and After
Before
The surgeon reviews your medical history, current medicines and earlier operations. Blood tests and an anaesthesia check-up follow, and you will be told when to stop eating and drinking. Mention any blood thinners you take, and if you smoke, stopping beforehand helps the wound heal.
During
The anaesthetist decides on the type of anaesthesia best suited to you. The surgeon then returns the bulging tissue to its place, closes the gap and reinforces it.
After
Most people are encouraged to walk early, and pain is controlled with prescribed medicines. Heavy lifting and straining are off limits until the surgeon clears you, and a fibre-rich diet with plenty of fluids keeps stools soft. Keep the wound clean and dry. Call the team if you notice fever, spreading redness, discharge, a growing swelling at the site or persistent vomiting. A hernia can return, particularly if the underlying pressure from cough, constipation or weight is left unaddressed.
Hernia Treatment at CritiCare Asia Hospitals, Juhu
A hernia repair at CritiCare Asia Hospitals, Juhu begins with an assessment by a general surgeon, who examines you, reviews any scans and explains which type of hernia you have and which repair suits it. The surgeon, anaesthetist and nursing team look at your fitness for surgery together, including conditions such as diabetes or heart disease that could change the plan. After the operation you are monitored during recovery, given written instructions on wound care, activity and warning signs, and seen again to check healing. A hernia that has become trapped is treated as an emergency and assessed without delay. If you have noticed a bulge or a groin ache that keeps coming back, book a consultation with the best general surgeon in Juhu, Mumbai at CritiCare Asia Hospitals, Juhu.