You bend to lift a bag, sneeze a little too hard, or notice a strange bulge that was not there before. That small lump in your abdomen could be a hernia. While the word itself can sound alarming, hernia surgery today is routine and safe and comes in different types depending on your condition. What’s a hernia?A hernia is when an organ, often the gut or fatty tissue, pokes through a weak spot in your abdominal wall. Dr Pushkar Anand Singh, Senior Consultant – General and Laparoscopic Surgeon at Shri Ram Singh Hospital, explains it like this: “Think of it like a bulge in a worn-out tyre. The wall is supposed to hold everything in, but a weak spot lets the insides push out.”This weak spot may form due to overexertion, like unsupervised weightlifting, constipation, or chronic cough, or it could be congenital (you were born with it). Sometimes it even develops at the site of an old surgery.Who actually needs surgery?Not everyone who discovers a hernia needs to be wheeled into an operating theatre right away. According to Dr Shrey Srivastava, Senior Consultant in Internal Medicine at Sharda Hospital, Greater Noida, surgery is usually advised when the hernia becomes painful, interferes with daily activities, or risks dangerous complications.“Hernias that cannot be pushed back in, those that cause increasing pain, or worse, strangulated hernias where blood supply is cut off, need urgent surgery,” he says. Without timely intervention, this can lead to tissue death and potentially life-threatening infection.On the flip side, if a hernia is tiny, painless, and not causing trouble, your doctor may simply keep an eye on it. But the general rule is that a hernia will not magically disappear on its own; sooner or later, surgery might be on the cards.Open Hernia RepairThis is the old-school, tried-and-tested method. Surgeons make an incision right over the hernia, carefully push the bulging tissue back into place, repair the defect, and then reinforce the area with a mesh (like patching up that worn-out tyre).“Open repair is highly cost-effective, and the outcomes are comparable with newer techniques,” says Dr Singh. For many patients, it remains the go-to option, especially when budget is a concern.Laparoscopic Hernia RepairHere, instead of one big cut, surgeons make three or four tiny incisions to slip in a camera and surgical instruments. The mesh is placed from the inside, which means no obvious scar at the hernia site.The perks are smaller cuts, quicker healing, and less pain afterwards. However, it costs more, and as Dr Singh points out, “It is not recommended for patients with significant heart or lung issues, as the procedure puts more strain on the body.”Robotic-Assisted Hernia RepairRobots in surgery may sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, but they are here. Robotic-assisted hernia repair builds on the laparoscopic method, except the tools are controlled through a robotic console.“The technology allows greater precision and 3D visualisation for the surgeon,” explains Dr Singh. It is slick and advanced, but it also comes with a hefty price tag. Since the outcomes are not dramatically better than laparoscopic surgery, most hospitals do not see it as a routine option.How do doctors decide which is right?With three different techniques on the table, how do surgeons pick? Dr Singh says the choice depends on several factors like patient health, cost considerations, size of the hernia, and the urgency of the situation.Open surgery might suit a patient looking for a straightforward, affordable solution. Laparoscopic repair works well for those who want a quicker recovery and can afford the added cost. Robotic surgery, while cool, is usually reserved for centres with access to the technology and patients willing to pay extra for the latest option.Do not fear the word “surgery”While the thought of going under the knife can be nerve-wracking, hernia surgeries today are routine, safe, and highly successful. Most patients return to normal activities within weeks, and the mesh reinforcement greatly reduces the risk of recurrence.“Hernias are common, but complications can be dangerous,” Dr Srivastava reminds. “If you are experiencing persistent pain, visible bulges, or swelling that would not go back inside, do not delay consulting a doctor.”
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