Why is a Hernia Clinic Important?

Hernia is one of the most common operation being performed by surgeons across the world. Hernias can occur in men, women and children. A hernia can occur in the region of the groin, through the navel or the belly button, through the scar of previous surgery, internally through the diaphragm and through any other weak area in the human body.

Types of hernias:

• Inguinal hernia (hernia in the groin)
• Umbilical hernia (hernia through the belly button)
• Ventral or incisional hernia (hernia through the previous surgical scar)
• Femoral hernia
• Spigelian hernia
• Lumbar hernia
• Hiatus hernia

Treatment of hernia is mainly surgical. Till a few years ago, while open surgery with large incisions was still a norm, all general surgeons performed hernia surgery with equal ease. With advent of minimal access surgery, grade of difficulty of hernia surgery increased. Laparoscopic hernia repair surgery is technically more demanding for the surgeon and requires specialized training. A surgeon’s learning curve for laparoscopic or key hole hernia repair is higher than open hernia surgery.

While specialized hernia centres have been a norm in the west, they are still lacking in India. With increasing popularity of laparoscopic/keyhole hernia repair for all types of hernias, specialized hernia centres with surgeons experienced in laparoscopic hernia surgery are a need of the hour.

Laparoscopic or keyhole surgery for hernia repair has the following advantages:

1. A few tiny sub-centimetre cuts instead of a single big cut.
2. Much better visualization as the view is magnified in laparoscopic surgery.
3. Significantly less pain.
4. Cosmetically superior.
5. Decreased chances of infection.
6. Early recovery.
7. Faster return to work.
8. Preferred for recurrent inguinal hernias

Recurrence after hernia surgery has always been a concern and laparoscopic repair has been questioned with regards to recurrence rates. In good surgical hands, there is no particular difference in the recurrence rates after an open hernia repair and a laparoscopic hernia repair. In fact, laparoscopic repair is the preferred technique in cases of recurrent inguinal hernias. Laparoscopic techniques are evolving very fast and some really advanced work is happening on the hernia front. Hence it is important for you as a patient to locate a good laparoscopic hernia surgeon who specializes in hernia surgery.

Dr. Aparna Govil Bhasker is a laparoscopic GI surgeon with special interest in hernia surgery. She envisioned this unique hernia centre to fill the lacuna for a specialized hernia clinic. She performs various types of hernia operations with the key hole technique. She has trained extensively in TEP and TAP repair for inguinal hernia surgery. Laparoscopic umbilical hernia and incisional hernia repair also have great results in her hands. Laparoscopic fundoplication for hiatus hernia repair is one of favourite operations and she is an expert in it. Be rest assured of great surgical outcomes in her hands.