Epigastric Hernia Treatment

Epigastric hernia when tissue, such as part of the intestine, protrudes through the abdominal wall at the epigastric area. These can happen anywhere and anytime and after a prior surgery. Patients usually complain of a bulge or pain at the hernia or prior surgical scar. Sometimes patients can have severe symptoms with pain nausea vomiting and may need immediate attention.

The most common risk factors are poor tissue integrity, diabetes, obesity, prior or current steroid use and smoking. It is better for most patients with hernia to have a CT scan of the abdomen to further evaluate the hernia. CT scans are also helpful in formulating the types of surgery for the hernia.

Epigastric Hernia

An epigastric hernia is a disorder that is caused by a weak spot in your abdominal wall. This is a type of hernia which occurs in the epigastric region (lying upon or over the stomach).

In epigastric hernia, a lump arises when fat pushes out via a weakness in the abdominal wall between your belly button and sternum. It is a common condition in both adults and children, and cases have been seen in infants too. The most common symptom is pain, which is caused by the fat being pinched by your abdominal wall. 

Epigastric Hernia Symptoms

In general, an epigastric hernia causes a bump, which is due to a mass of fat that has pushed through the hernia. There are no harsh symptoms associated with an epigastric hernia and it is common for them to not show any symptoms. Minute to severe symptoms of pain have been seen in an array of cases. The major symptoms which have been commonly seen in patients with epigastric hernia are:

  - A bump can be seen (below your sternum or above your belly button).
  - Tenderness 
  - Pain 
  - Redness 
  - Coughing impulse

Epigastric Hernia Causes

When the tissues in the abdominal wall do not seal fully during development, an epigastric hernia can form. There are multiple reasons which can cause this disorder. 

  - Obesity
  - Prior pregnancy
  - Frequent heavy lifting
  - Genetic defects
  - Aging
  - Severe vomiting

Epigastric Hernia Diagnosis

This type of hernia can easily be diagnosed by a clinical examination, which includes an inspection and palpation of the hernial swelling. In some cases, ultrasound, CT scanning, and MRI can be prescribed for a better root-cause understanding.

Epigastric Hernia Risk Factor

Primarily, it is known that it happens due to being overweight and prior pregnancy in adults, but some factors and activities which might be a potential reason for epigastric hernia are:

  - Diabetes
  - Smoking
  - Difficult physical exercise. 
  - Using steroids or other medications that compromise the immune system

How To Prevent Epigastric Hernia

There are a few ways in which we can prevent this disorder from causing trouble. Below are some factors that we need to avoid to prevent epigastric hernia.

  - Avoid sudden weight gain.
  - Avoid lifting heavy objects.
  - Preventing Constipation
  - Treating illnesses and allergies (which cause frequent coughing, sneezing, or vomiting)

Surgery

There are two types of surgeries that is offered for patient suffering from incisional hernia. Open hernia repair with mesh and the other most common type of surgery is Laparoscopic hernia repair with mesh. Broadly these surgeries based on the technique can be classified as OPEN SURGERY and MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY.

OPEN SURGERY- Open hernia repair with mesh

Open surgery involves open technique. Here an incision is made on the hernia and the hernia is reduced . The contents of the hernia is reduced and the edges of the abdominal wall are identified and are approximated over a mesh. The placement of the mesh is a choice but the standard of care is to place a mesh within the muscles or peritoneum to avoid any contact with the bowel. The surrounding structures are evaluated and the incision is closed.

Open surgery is usually more painful than the minimally invasive surgeries. But there are various medication that we use to help you have a better pain control.

For this surgery you may need a complete blood count (CBC), chemistry profile, PT, PTT. Depending on your medical history, we may require additional testing: chest X-Ray, EKG, medical clearance from your primary care physician, cardiac clearance from your cardiologist, additional blood work and finally Anesthesiology clearance.

We recommend that you have your blood work done before having the surgery performed. If this is not possible, please notify the surgical scheduling team at 8884200030.

MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY- Laparoscopic hernia repair with mesh

Laparoscopic surgery involves minimally invasive technique. Here we make small 5 mm incisions on the side of the abdomen and small 10 mm incisions are also made. The abdomen is entered and the contents of the hernia is reduced and the defect is measured. Here the defect is closed in some situation while in some it is not. But the defect is overlapped with a composite mesh and fixed. The surrounding structures are evaluated and the incision is closed.

Laparoscopic surgeries are usually less painful than the open surgeries. We still give you pain medications and nerve blocks so that you feel comfortable and are able to walk about six hours after the surgery.

For this surgery you may need a complete blood count (CBC), chemistry profile, PT, PTT. Depending on your medical history, your physician may require additional testing: chest X-Ray, EKG, medical clearance from your primary care physician, cardiac clearance from your cardiologist, additional blood work and finally Anesthesiology clearance.

We recommend that you have your blood work done before having the surgery performed. If this is not possible, please notify the surgical scheduling team at 8884200030.

Patient education

BEFORE SURGERY

Please refer to the instructions below in preparation for your surgery. Proper preparation is essential to obtain the best surgical experience and results. Please note that failure to follow these instructions may result in rescheduling your surgery. Our team will contact each patient directly and will be available to answer any additional questions about surgery, scheduling and instructions.

PRE-OPERATIVE TESTING

You may need a complete blood count (CBC), chemistry profile, PT, PTT. Depending on your medical history, your physician may require additional testing: chest X-Ray, EKG, medical clearance from your primary care physician, cardiac clearance from your cardiologist, blood work and anesthesiology clearance.
We recommend that you have your blood work done at the hospital where you are having the surgery performed.

Please download instructions below if you need any further instructions, please notify the surgical scheduling team at 8884200030

why us?

Our minimally invasive Surgeons are well known internationally in their field. They are experts in the diagnosis and management of various conditions, and innovation of minimally invasive surgery techniques. Our team provides a personalized approach for each patient, offering advanced surgical solutions. Our surgeons educate physicians on innovative techniques through national,international presentations and web-based seminars.

Why Choose MH Surgery Clinic for Epigastric Hernia Treatment?

Timely treatment for an epigastric hernia is necessary because as long as you wait, it can develop complications. Surgery is considered one of the best treatments to cure or repair wounds. There are two types of surgery which are generally performed; open hernia repair with mesh and laparoscopic hernia repair with mesh. 
If you face any symptoms, please contact our specialists or book your appointment at  MH Surgery Clinic Bangalore.