Hernia Center

Want to learn more about hernias and hernia repair? Visit our frequently asked questions.

The Most Experienced Hernia Care Team

Whether your needs are common or complex, you’ll get the most experienced team at Hartford Hospital.

The Most Experienced Hernia Care Team

Whether your needs are common or complex, you’ll get the most experienced team at Hartford Hospital.

Types of Hernias

There are several different types, but inguinal hernias are by far the most common.

An inguinal hernia refers to a hernia in the groin — the area where the abdomen and the thighs connect. Inguinal hernias account for about 80 percent of all hernias, and they are much more common in men than women. However, women can also experience them.

Another type of hernia is a femoral hernia. Femoral canals are channels between the abdomen and thighs where blood vessels and nerves pass. Any bulge is usually in the upper part of the affected thigh just below the groin. Femoral hernias account for about 4 percent of groin-area hernias, but are much more common in women than in men.

Ventral hernias are a protrusion through a weakness in the muscles that form the (anterior) abdominal wall. Ventral hernias present with the same symptoms and risks as other hernias.

Finally, the most common ventral hernias are umbilical hernias which are associated with a weakness at the umbilicus — more commonly known as the naval. In the womb, it is normal for some of a fetus' intestines to be located in a sac within the umbilical cord outside the abdomen — the abdominal cavity doesn't develop at the same rate as the intestines. By birth, the intestines normally have returned to the abdomen and the opening is closed up. If the closure is defective, an umbilical hernia can result, either at birth or as a result of weakening later in life.

Repairs

Hernias occur because of weakness in the supporting tissue against which an organ or other tissue exerts pressure. Hernias can be associated with organs throughout the body, whether an inguinal hernia in the groin area, a hiatal hernia where the stomach meets the esophagus, or even a hernia of the iris in the eye. Inguinal hernias are by far the most common type. In some cases, hernias cause pain and discomfort; others may show no symptoms at all.

Hernia repair is essential, since even a small hernia will not cure itself and will grow larger and possibly more serious over time. Surgical repair is the only effective treatment for hernias — but it is highly effective, with hernias recurring in less than 10 percent of patients. Many surgical techniques are available, ranging from traditional conventional approaches to laparoscopic and robotic-assisted procedures using flexible fiber-optic instruments and minimal incisions.

During your initial consultation, we will compile your complete medical history and give you a thorough physical examination. This will help us assess your needs and determine the right hernia repair procedure for you.

Hernia repair operative techniques include:

• Open Tension Free Mesh Repair
• Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair
• Open Umbilical Hernia Repair with or without mesh
• Laparoscopic Umbilical/Ventral/Incisional Hernia Repairs with mesh
• Complex Abdominal Wall Reconstruction (open and minimally invasive)
• Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Abdominal Wall Reconstruction (AWR)
• Spigelian Hernia Repair
• Lumbar Repair
• Parastomal Hernia Repair

Because every hernia is different, each technique requires an experienced, specialized team who can personalize your care.

After Care

Hernias disrupt your life. That’s why our hernia team begins with recovery in mind: our goal is to get you back to the life you were living before this inconvenient interruption.

Our multidisciplinary team uses the latest treatments in hernia surgery for the best recovery experience possible. These techniques are designed to help you to return to everyday activities as quickly as possible.

When hernia surgery is straightforward, the surgery is done on an outpatient basis, meaning you go home the same day. You can expect your recovery to be from 1 to 3 weeks. If your surgery is more complex, you may need inpatient surgery, which means you will stay overnight or several days in the hospital. In this case, your recovery would be a bit longer, anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks.

The restrictions you have during your recovery are based on your personal and professional lifestyle. For several weeks following surgery, you won't be allowed to lift anything over 10 pounds. Restrictions may last anywhere from 6 weeks to 3 months depending on the complexity of your case and how strenuous your typical daily activities are.

We also follow several best-practice protocols to ensure your pain is under control. We prescribe a combination of anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic and neuro-modulator medications to reduce your pain and keep you comfortable, while minimizing opioid use.

People who have had recurrent hernias often have weakness in their abdominal wall, the group of muscles that keep organs inside the body. Physical therapy is often used to help you move better and relieve pain after hernia repair. It also helps restore your physical function and fitness level. The goal of including physical therapy in the recovery process is to make daily tasks and activities easier, like walking, going up stairs or getting in and out of bed.

Our Team

Hartford Hospital’s Hernia Center features a team of experienced professionals performing groin, abdominal, umbilical and incisional hernia repairs, based on your individual needs. Our multidisciplinary team includes general surgeons, skilled advanced practitioners and expert nursing staff. Should you need other providers to help manage your treatment, you’ll have access to an entire network of the very best providers in a variety of specialties – like colorectal surgeons and plastic surgeons – who can consult with your primary team. This is a major advantage of having your procedure at Hartford Hospital.

Because our primary focus is hernia disease, you are guaranteed expert care using the most current treatments by experienced and dedicated healthcare professionals. All center surgeons are board-certified, ensuring you receive the highest quality care and all your questions are answered.