Hernia is a latin word meaning “rupture”. It is a defect located on the abdominal wall, a hole that allows the passage of abnormal intestine or other abdominal viscera. Whenever this rupture occurs, surgical hernia repair is needed.  

Yes. For example, the risk of suffering an inguinal hernia in men is 27% and in women is about 3 %.

The most frequent hernias, about 73 %, are located in the inguinal region (the groin area). Following are those that are located in umbilical region (navel area) and third are the incisional that appear at the level of the scar of an abdominal surgery. There are, however, hernias that occur in other locations. 

Hernias can be a result of a congenital defect, of important metabolic changes of tissues, of random combinations of these and/of inadequate healing of wounds from previous abdominal surgeries. 

Yes, in some cases and sometimes in the early stages.

Although the gene responsible for causing hernia has not been detected,  the statistics show a familial tendency which suggests the existence of a genetic defect.

With hernias there is potential for a bottleneck situation, in which the intestine is caught and undergoes a quick gangrene. This is a serious complication that requires urgent surgery and poses a serious health risk. 

In adult hernias, the placement of surgical hernia patches is recommended. Though in umbilical hernias with less than two centimeters in diameter and in hernias of sportsmen (entities with specific peculiarities), it is impossible to ignore this option. Attaching a surgical hernia patch on a child’s hernia is not recommended because the membrane wall structure where they are attached is fixed and childrens’ membranes are still growing.

No. Surgical hernia patches are in their vast majority composed of polypropylene, a synthetic product perfectly tolerated by the human body. However, there are extremely rare cases of rejection.

In up to 10% of cases a hernia will reappear. However, the use of surgical hernia patches and having the surgery performed by a specialized hernia surgeon reduces the risk to about 2 %.

In up to 10% of cases a hernia will reappear. However, the use of surgical hernia patches and having the surgery performed by a specialized hernia surgeon reduces the risk to about 2 %.

Yes. There is a chance of having a hernia with no, or minimal, symptoms and even within such cases exists the potential to be subjected to the complications mentioned above.

Yes. With the exception of very specific cases hernias can all be operated via laparoscopy, but this approach requires a general anesthesia.