Hernias are very common in both men and women.  They are especially common in the groins and around the belly button (umbilicus).  They are essentially holes in the abdominal wall that have developed over time at a weak area in the muscles.  Abdominal contents such as fat and bowels can protrude through these holes causing a bulge in the skin.  If the fat or bowels are strangled in the hernia then pain and discomfort arises.

With time hernias grow bigger and bigger.  They also have the risk of damaging trapped bowel which is very painful and requires emergency surgery.  Therefore, when a hernia is discovered and diagnosed, elective surgical repair is usually advised.  This can be performed via a traditional open technique but increasingly laparoscopic or keyhole surgical techniques are being used.  If you have a hernia, your surgical specialist can give you more information about these techniques and which one would be most suitable.