A hernia occurs when an internal organ or tissue pushes through a weak point in the abdominal muscles, causing a visible bulge. Most hernias can be repaired with standard laparoscopic or open surgery, but complex, recurrent or very large hernias often require abdominal wall reconstruction, a more advanced technique to rebuild the abdominal wall's structure and strength.
Signs Worth Getting Checked
- A lump or bulge in the abdomen or groin that appears when you stand, cough or strain
- A hernia that has come back after previous surgery
- A hernia that has grown noticeably larger over time
- Pain, dragging discomfort or a sensation of pressure at the site of a hernia
- Sudden, severe pain at a hernia site with nausea or vomiting, which needs urgent care
Should You Be Worried?
Most hernias are not medical emergencies, but they do not resolve on their own and tend to grow larger over time. A hernia that suddenly becomes painful, red or impossible to push back in needs urgent attention, as this can indicate strangulation. For everything else, the priority is planning the right repair the first time, particularly important if a previous repair has already failed.
What Raises Your Risk
Hernias become more likely with age, obesity, heavy lifting, chronic coughing and previous abdominal surgery. Recurrent hernias are more likely where the original repair used an unsuitable technique or mesh, or where the abdominal wall has been weakened by multiple prior operations.
How It's Diagnosed
1. Clinical examination to confirm the hernia and assess its size and location
2. Ultrasound or CT scan, particularly for complex, recurrent or hidden hernias
3. Review of any previous surgical or mesh records where relevant
How It's Treated
- Laparoscopic hernia repair: minimally invasive repair for standard inguinal, umbilical and incisional hernias.
- Endoscopic eTEP repair: an advanced minimally invasive technique for selected ventral and inguinal hernias.
- Abdominal wall reconstruction (ACST/PCST/reverse TAR): component separation techniques used to rebuild the abdominal wall in large or complex defects.
- Redo surgery for complex abdominal wall hernia: specialist repair for hernias that have recurred after previous surgery.
- Mesh explantation: removal and revision of a previous mesh where it has failed or caused complications.
Recovery depends on the complexity of the repair. Straightforward laparoscopic hernia repairs typically allow a return to normal activity within one to two weeks, while complex abdominal wall reconstruction requires a longer, carefully monitored recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
A hernia usually appears as a lump or bulge, often in the abdomen or groin, that may become more noticeable when you stand, cough or strain, and may ease when you lie down. A clinical examination confirms the diagnosis.
No. A hernia will not close on its own, and surgery is the only way to repair it, though not every hernia needs immediate surgery.
Yes, particularly if treated with a technique unsuited to the size or location of the defect. This is exactly why complex and recurrent hernias benefit from a surgeon experienced specifically in abdominal wall reconstruction.
It will usually get larger and more uncomfortable over time, and in rare cases can become trapped or lose its blood supply, which is a medical emergency.
Yes. It is a more extensive procedure reserved for large, complex or recurrent hernias, and involves a longer recovery than routine hernia repair.
Book Your Hernia Surgery Consultation in Mumbai
Complex and recurrent hernias deserve a surgeon with specific expertise in abdominal wall reconstruction. Dr. Jignesh Gandhi provides this care at Nanavati Max Hospital, Mumbai.