There are many types of hernias, but they all have one thing in common – a primary weakness in surrounding muscle or connective tissue.  This weakness has allowed for a portion of an organ, muscle, or intestine to break through and become entrapped.

They frequently occur after extensive exertion, or after an illness where there has been an increase in pressure in the abdomen with chronic coughing, sneezing, or bearing down with constipation or diarrhea. Anything which compromises the overall health of the individual such as drinking, smoking, and overeating, can also set the stage for developing a hernia and eventually needing hernia mesh surgery.

The Types of Hernias

There are six different types of hernias identified according to their location and or cause: ventral, umbilical, surgical, inguinal, femoral, or hiatal.  The ventral hernia is merely called such because it generally develops along the ventral abdominal muscle wall between the base of the ribs and the pubic bone. An umbilical hernia also occurs in this region but is more specific to the area of the belly button.

Surgical hernias also frequently are in the ventral region, but the weakness in the abdominal muscle tissue is a surgical incision made to repair another issue.  Inguinal hernias affect the lower abdominal wall between the intestines and the groin and largely affect males after exertion.

Femoral hernias are uncommon and affect the femoral canal between the lower abdominal wall where the femoral artery is located. Finally, hiatal hernias are where the part of the stomach has come up through the diaphragmatic wall.

Approaches to Hernia Repair 

Physicians may employ a wait and see approach when first diagnosing a hernia to see if the problem resolves itself. If it does not, they many choose open repair methods using an incision and fixing the area of weak muscle.  This method can be chosen with or without using mesh.  If it is not chosen, the area is sutured.  Another method of repair is laparoscopic surgery.  This, too, can be done with or without the use of mesh. Small cuts are made and surgical tools used in a much more non-invasive and quick-healing approach. 

Hernia Mesh Surgery and Its Complications

Hernia mesh surgery is the use of mesh or a screen to provide additional support to weakened muscle tissue through either open repair or laparoscopic surgical methods.  The mesh is usually made from synthetic materials or animal tissue.  It is never made to be removed, but some types of mesh degenerate over time, as the affected person gradually develops muscle strength again. The use of mesh of one variety or another is most commonly the treatment of choice for most hernias today.

Hernia mesh surgery follow-up studies have revealed some complications and negative events such as mesh migration, intestinal blockage or perforation, adhesions, pain and bleeding, infections, and nerve damage.  These problems have been primarily associated with three types of mesh, only one of which has been taken off the market – Johnson & Johnson’s Ethicon Physiomesh.

Even though the use of mesh in the surgical treatment of hernias is here to stay, patients need to be aware of product performance and stay involved in their physician’s choice of medical devices.