Hernia Specialist

What is a hernia?

Hernias occur when an organ pushes through an opening in the muscle tissue. Hernias are often found in the abdominal wall, but also develop in the upper thigh and groin area. 

You may develop a hernia from muscle weakness or over-exertion. If your muscles are weak, your hernia may develop slowly over time. However, over-exertion (heavy lifting) may lead to a sudden protrusion. 

With a hernia, you may notice a lump or bulge in the affected area and experience pain, weakness, and burning. 

What are the types of hernias?

There are several types of hernias. The most common include:

Hiatal hernia

A hiatal hernia occurs when the stomach protrudes up through a weakened portion of your diaphragm, which is the muscle that separates your abdominal and chest cavity.  

Paraesophageal hernia

A paraesophageal hernia is a type of hiatal hernia that develops near your esophagus. This type of hernia may not cause symptoms but can lead to stomach obstruction or ischemia (the cutting off of blood supply to the stomach).

Inguinal hernia

Inguinal hernias are the most common type of hernia and occur in the lower abdomen near the groin. Men are at greater risk of developing an inguinal hernia because of a natural weakness in the muscle in this area. 

Femoral hernia

Femoral hernias affect the groin area and are more common in women. They occur just below the crease between the leg and abdomen and may develop during pregnancy or childbirth. 

Complex hernia

Complex hernias often develop at the site of a previous hernia after it’s been surgically repaired. These hernias may involve a large portion of your abdominal wall, as well as other organs. 

Incisional hernia

Incisional hernias occur in the abdominal area at the site of a previous surgical incision (not related to hernia surgery). 

What are my hernia surgical options?

The experienced team at the Surgical Consultants of Northern Virginia offers minimally invasive surgical options to repair your hernia. Your options include:

Robotic hernia surgery

Robotic hernia surgery is an advanced minimally invasive surgical technique. During your hernia repair, your surgeon at the Surgical Consultants of Northern Virginia performs your procedure using the da Vinci® robotic device to minimize incision size and improve surgical precision.  

Laparoscopic hernia surgery

Laparoscopic hernia surgery is also a minimally invasive procedure that involves use of a laparoscope, which is a surgical camera that allows your surgeon to view your surgical site without the need to create a large open incision. Your surgeon then uses special surgical tools to repair your hernia.

With either surgical option, you can expect small incisions, less pain, and a shorter recovery.

To schedule a hernia consultation with the experts at the Surgical Consultants of Northern Virginia, call the office or book online today.