Hernia

Hernias occur when part of an abdominal organ or fatty tissue in the abdomen pushes through a weak spot or tear in the abdominal muscles. Most of the time, it is because of fatty tissue that is pushing through the weak spot. Hernias usually occur in areas where the abdominal wall is weakened or thinner, either because the location is already weaker or is made weaker due to a previous surgery. Excessive straining, coughing, and heavy lifting can also cause a hernia.

For a person with no symptoms, the doctor may discover a lump in the groin or abdomen during a medical exam. Most commonly, people with hernias notice a lump or tenderness and pressure or pain upon bending, coughing, or straining. The lump may be easier to feel when the person stands up. This is a sign of a reducible hernia, meaning it can be pushed back into the abdomen. When a person stands, the lump sticks out noticeably because of the pull of gravity. Other symptoms include a heavy feeling in the groin or abdomen, pain or swelling in the scrotum, pain when lifting something heavy, and pain in the groin after you have been standing a lot.

Generally, a physical exam by the doctor will confirm the presence of a hernia. Most hernias are found this way. In the rare cases where a patient has symptoms but a doctor cannot feel a hernia, then further tests may be ordered. Usually, a CT scan is the test of choice in that instance.

Inguinal Hernias: The most common type, which occurs in about 2% of men in the United States. They usually occur in the area where the skin crease at the top of the thigh joins the torso (the inguinal crease. 

Umbilical Hernias: Umbilical Hernias are usually at, or around the belly button, and occur when part of your intestine bulges through the opening in your abdominal muscles near your belly button (navel). Umbilical hernias are common and typically harmless.

Incisional/Ventral hernias: Incisional/Ventral hernias occur in an area on the abdomen where you have a previous incision from surgery. Since that area is permanently weakened from surgery, it can be an area where a hernia can develop. A Hernia Surgery attempts to fix this bulge and repair the compromised muscle wall with a synthetic mesh. 

Hiatal Hernia: Hiatal Hernia, also known as a hiatus hernia, occurs when part of the stomach extends through the diaphragm and into the chest. The diaphragm is the muscle that separates the abdomen from the chest. Hiatal hernias can cause gastroesophageal reflux disease, or laryngopharyngeal reflux, which can cause symptoms like a taste of acid in the back of the mouth or heartburn.

Las Vegas Surgical Associates should be one of your first choices for Hernia Surgery. It is a multi-specialty surgical group that is unique to the Las Vegas area in being able to offer services across a broad range of surgical specialties with a collective of highly qualified surgeons. LVSA is a group practice and one of our physicians is always on call and can answer questions or take care of acute surgical emergencies when they arise. Collectively, our surgeons have affiliations with numerous medical-certifying groups, including the American Board of Surgery (ABS), the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), the Society of Laparoscopic Surgery (SLS), and the Society for Surgery of Alimentary Tract (SSAT), the American Hernia Society (AHS), and the American College of Surgeons (FACS), ASMBS (American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery ), ASCRS (America Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons).

 We welcome your patient referrals. You may refer your patients to a specific surgeon in our group by name or simply refer them to LVSA and we will make sure they see the appropriate physician according to their need. We strive to make sure your visit with us is pleasant and efficient.