No Need to Fear When a Hernia Appears

John Costin, III, M.D.

Even though approximately 5 million people in the United States have an abdominal hernia, it’s estimated that only about 700,000 of these individuals seek treatment every year. Why do only 14 percent of those with hernias seek treatment each year?

“People fear a painful surgery, but these concerns are unfounded,” says John Costin, III, M.D., a Cleveland Clinic general surgeon who performs minimally invasive hernia surgeries at Lakewood Hospital. Hernia surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis and patients are able to return to most normal activities in a matter of a few days. In many cases, these repairs can be done with minimally invasive surgery using a laparoscope.

Men and women of all ages can have a hernia, a weakness or tear in the abdominal muscles that allows fatty tissue or an organ, such as the intestines, to protrude through the muscle tissue. If the defect is large enough, abdominal contents such as the bowels may protrude through the defect causing a lump or bulge felt by the patient. They usually occur in or around the groin, abdomen, navel, or near previous sites of abdominal surgery.

“It’s important to repair a hernia, as they will generally increase in size and become more painful if left untreated,” says Dr. Costin. “It can lead to more serious, life-threatening conditions.”

Since hernias can be effectively repaired with minimal risk, most surgeons therefore recommend that they be repaired as soon as possible after diagnosis.

Hernia surgeries may be performed by an open repair (small incision over the herniated area) or by laparoscopic surgery (minimally invasive.) Both surgeries usually take about an hour and are performed on an outpatient basis. Your surgeon will determine the method of repair that is best for your situation.

In laparoscopic hernia surgery, a telescope attached to a camera is inserted through a small incision that is made under the patient's belly button. Two other small cuts are made (each no larger than the diameter of pencil eraser) in the lower abdomen. The hernia defect is reinforced with a synthetic “mesh” and secured in position.

“Laparoscopic surgery for hernia repair offers several advantages over traditional open surgery,” says Dr. Costin. “The incisions made for the repair are very small, so there is minimal pain, recovery is fast, and most patients can quickly return to normal activities.”

Both open repair and laparoscopic surgeries are considered safe and effective. "In the past, patients often spent weeks or even months recovering from hernia repair surgery,” says Dr. Costin. “Today we can get them back to their regular routine much faster and with less discomfort."

For more information or to make an appointment with Dr. Costin, please call 440-204-7439.