Hernia Surgery
About Hernia Surgery
Dr Matthew Shears has a keen interest in both simple and complex hernia surgery and aims to use up to date modern techniques. Dr Shears will tailor each operation to the individual but is an expert in minimally invasive techniques such as Totally extra-peritoneal (TEP), Trans-abdominal pre-peritoneal (TAPP) and enhanced totally extra-peritoneal (eTEP). Dr Shears also employs advanced techniques such as transversus abdominus release (TAR) both minimally invasively and open when needed.
A hernia happens when an organ or fatty tissue squeezes through a weak spot in a surrounding muscle or connective tissue called fascia. They often occur where the abdominal wall is weaker, such as in the abdomen (belly area) or groin, and can have various causes.
In a reducible hernia, the lump can be pushed back through the abdominal wall. If not, it's an irreducible hernia.
Further information about Hernia Surgery
What are the advantages of minimally invasive surgery?
Keyhole or minimally invasive surgery has the ability repair both large and small hernias through very small incisions. There is lower pain, faster recovery, lower wound complication rates and lower chronic pain rates.
When is a hernia an emergency?
A hernia is an emergency if it is “incarcerated.” In an incarcerated hernia, tissue (such as from the bowel) has slipped through the hernia and gotten stuck there.
Stool may not be able to get through normally, which can cause pain, nausea, vomiting, and even tear the bowel wall. If an incarcerated hernia becomes “strangulated,” the bowel tissue has started to die and needs emergency surgery.
What are the types of hernia?
There are a number of different types of hernia, including:
Inguinal hernia — The bowel or other abdominal tissue pushes through the abdominal wall in the lower part of the abdomen, causing a lump in the groin. Inguinal hernias are more common in men.
Umbilical hernia — The bowel or abdominal tissue pushes through the abdominal wall near the belly button (naval).
Incisional hernia — The bowel or other abdominal tissue pushes through the abdominal wall where it’s been made weak by surgery or trauma.
Femoral hernia — The bowel or other abdominal tissue pushes through the abdominal wall near where the leg joins the body. Femoral hernias are more common in women.
Epigastric hernias — The abdominal fat pushes through the abdominal wall between the belly button and below the rib cage.
Spigalian hernia – rare hernia in the lower abdomen to one side due to the muscles not forming properly together