Hernias generally share the same general characteristic–a weakness or gap in the muscle layer that allows tissue, usually contained by the muscles, to push through. Depending on the type and severity of the hernia, this can be a painless nuisance–or a life-threatening condition requiring emergency surgery.
For lower-risk patients, minimally-invasive surgical repair (robotic or laparoscopy) is the preferred approach to prevent complications, relieve painful symptoms and restore an active lifestyle.
With the possible exception of hiatal hernias, most (groin, incisional, ventral and or abdominal wall types), require surgical intervention, except for asymptomatic hernias or frail patients for whom surgery is considered high risk. Read more…