Hernia: Symptoms, Causes & Treatments Singapore | Herniorrhapy and Hernioplasty

What Is a Hernia?

A hernia occurs when an organ or tissue pushes through a weak spot in the muscle or fascia that contains it. This results in a visible lump or bulge under the skin. Hernias usually happen in the abdomen area, but can also occur in other areas like the groin area and belly button. Most hernias do not go away on their own and require surgery to prevent potentially life-threatening complications.

What Causes a Hernia?

Hernias can be present at birth (congenital) or developed later (acquired). Congenital hernias are present at birth due to developmental defects or genetic disorders and may not become apparent until later in life. Acquired hernias, on the other hand, are often caused by muscle weakness resulting from aging, heavy lifting, constipation, or chronic coughing.

What Are the Risk Factors for Hernias?

Several factors increase one’s risk of developing a hernia, including:

Age – Older individuals are more prone to muscle weakness.
Gender – Men are more likely to develop hernias than women.
Family History – Genetic factors can increase risk.
Obesity – A body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 increases the likelihood of hernias.
Heavy Lifting – Strain on the abdominal wall can cause hernias.
Smoking – This can cause chronic coughing, which increases straining.
Pregnancy – Abdominal pressure during pregnancy can contribute to hernias.
Chronic Constipation – Straining during bowel movements is a risk factor.

Types of Hernias

Different types of hernias affect different people and have distinct symptoms:

Inguinal Hernia

The most common type of hernia, inguinal hernias accounts for 75% of hernia cases. It occurs when the intestine protrudes out of the abdominal wall into the inguinal canal in the groin.

Men are eight times more prone to inguinal hernia because of the way the male body is structured. In men, the inguinal canal is the part where the spermatic cord connects the abdomen to the scrotum. Some typical symptoms include a bulge in the pubic area.

This lump can cause pain, especially when coughing, bending over or lifting up heavy objects.

Hiatal Hernia

Common in people over the age of 50, a hiatal hernia is when a part of the stomach tissue protrudes through the diaphragm (hiatus) into the chest cavity. The diaphragm is the muscle tissue that separates the abdomen from the chest.

Hiatal hernias are typically associated with heartburn and, in more serious cases, gastroesophageal reflux. This happens when contents from the stomach start to flow backwards through the hiatus into the oesophagus.

Umbilical Hernia

A common occurrence in babies below 6 months old, this is a condition when their intestines push through their umbilical cord in the abdominal wall, causing a bulge around the belly button. Largely harmless, umbilical hernia normally goes away within two years and does not require medical attention.

Femoral Hernia

This is a less common type of hernia that occurs in the femoral artery in the upper thigh or groin. A femoral hernia is more common among women than in men. Small femoral hernias may not present any symptoms, although larger ones may appear as bulges in the groin area and cause pain and discomfort, especially when heavy lifting, standing up, or straining.

Incisional Hernia

Incisional hernias typically result from muscle weakness after an abdominal surgery. It appears as a lump or bulge at or near the surgical site, often showing within 3-6 months post-op. It may also have accompanying symptoms like nausea and vomiting, thin and narrow stool, diarrhoea or constipation, and a faster heartbeat than usual.

Are Hernias Life-threatening?

Hernias can obstruct bowel movements and cause some swelling and pain but are generally not life-threatening. In rare cases, hernia can become strangulated, cutting off blood supply and causing tissue death. This leads to severe pain, infection, and potential organ damage. Strangulated hernias are medical emergencies requiring immediate treatment.

Protect yourself from hernia complications with timely treatment. Schedule a consultation with our hernia specialists today.

How Is a Hernia Diagnosed?

Diagnosing a hernia typically starts with an evaluation of the patient’s symptoms and risk factors. As a visible lump or bulge is often present, it can usually be diagnosed with a physical examination.

If a hernia is not easily identifiable, the doctor might order imaging tests, particularly in cases of hiatal, femoral, and umbilical hernias. These tests include ultrasound, CT scan, or an MRI scan to create detailed images of the abdominal organs and other structures.

How Are Hernias Treated?

There are ways to reduce hernia symptoms and pain such as having lighter meals and not putting pressure on the protruding part. However, most types of hernias do not go away on their own and require surgery. If left untreated, hernias grow bigger and can lead to serious complications.

Hernia Surgery in Singapore

A hernia surgery may be considered based on various factors, including the patient’s age and overall health, symptoms, and the size and type of hernia. Hernia surgeries are considered fairly safe and effective day surgeries, which means patients can be discharged on the same day.

Types of hernia surgery include:

1

Herniorrhaphy

Herniorrhaphy (tissue repair) involves making a cut in the abdomen at the site of the hernia and returning the displaced organ back to its original position.

2

Hernioplasty

When the hernia is too large and cannot be pushed back to the cavity, hernioplasty (mesh repair) can be performed. In hernioplasty, nylon meshes are stitched over the hernia to strengthen the abdominal wall muscles.

Both herniorrhaphy and hernioplasty can be done through open surgery or minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery. Our colorectal surgeons are skilled in laparoscopic surgery, which uses smaller incisions for a faster recovery process.

We Can Help You Manage a Hernia Problem

Same-day Discharge
Experienced Surgeons in Hernia Procedures
Safe & Proven Surgical Techniques
Most Insurances Claimable
Fast Recovery & Minimal Pain

Possible Risk of Hernia Repair Surgery

As with other surgical procedures, hernia repair surgery may cause potential risks. Complications arising from a hernia surgery may manifest immediately post-op or develop over time. Possible risks include:

Bleeding from the surgical site
Pain and swelling
Infection
Blood clot
Adverse reaction to sedatives/anaesthesia
Nerve or organ damage
Hernia recurrence

Why Choose Us for Hernia Treatments in Singapore?

Our team of hernia specialists is dedicated to diagnosing and treating all types of hernias with precision and care. We offer minimally invasive treatments to ensure a faster recovery, aiming to prevent complications and avoid additional surgeries. Our proven methods prioritise your safety and comfort.

Schedule a consultation so we can accurately diagnose the type of hernia, assess its severity, and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan. Give us a call at 6262 1226 today!

FAQs

What is a sports hernia?

Despite its name, a sports hernia is not a type of hernia. It is medically known as athletic pubalgia, which is an injury or tear in the muscles in the lower abdomen or groin that causes pain.

Can you push a hernia back in?

In some cases, a gentle massage and pressure may push back an inguinal hernia. However, this is a temporary solution and surgery may still be required to treat hernias.

Do hernias cause constipation?

A hernia can cause partial blockage of the intestine and lead to constipation.

Do hernias affect pregnancy?

Hernias are common in pregnancy due to increased abdominal pressure. Some are painless and can be repaired after delivery, while others may cause discomfort. Hernia repair during pregnancy carries minimal risk to you and your baby. If you suspect a hernia, consult your doctor.

Our Hernia Surgeons

Dr Dennis Koh

Medical Director & Senior Consultant Surgeon
B Med Sci (Nottingham), MBBS (Nottingham)
MMed (Surgery), FRCS (Edinburgh), FAMS

Dr Dennis Koh is a senior consultant colorectal surgeon in Singapore, experienced in hernia surgery and minimally invasive techniques like laparoscopic hernia repair. He develops personalised treatment plans to achieve optimal outcomes for each patient. His dedication to patient education has earned him the Gold Award for Service Quality and Patient Care from the Singapore General Hospital.

Dr Sharon Koh Zhiling

Senior Consultant Surgeon
MBBS (Singapore), MMed (Surgery),
FRCS (Edinburgh), FAMS

Dr Sharon Koh is an experienced colorectal surgeon based in Singapore who completed her fellowship at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in the US. With subspecialties in colorectal surgery, minimally invasive surgery, and advanced endoscopy, she brings expertise relevant to hernia treatment. She is a member of the Society of Colorectal Surgeons (Singapore) and the European Society of Coloproctology.

Dr Pauleon Tan Enjiu

Senior Consultant Surgeon
MBBS (Singapore), MMed (Surgery),
FRCS (Edinburgh), FACS

Dr Pauleon Tan is a Singapore hernia surgeon and has served public hospitals for more than 15 years. Trained in the UK and Japan, he is skilled in both minimally invasive surgery and endoscopy. Dr Tan advocates for a personalised approach to patient care, merging evidence-based practices with advanced surgical and endoscopic techniques to achieve optimal patient outcomes.

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