Latest treatment options for midline and inguinal hernias

The body is no different to any other structure and the seams or joins are always the weakest link. Too tight or too loose and a seam will either not work or will tear. The abdomen is surrounded by numerous muscles to keep the stomach, small intestine, and colon in place, but if one of these organs slips though a weakness or a hole in the muscles, it becomes a hernia. Other parts of the body can also have organ herniation. For example, people often talk about their back having ‘slipped a disc’, which is actually inaccurate as the situation is caused by interior spine material ‘herniating’ out from between the discs. A hernia is a bulge or protrusion of an organ through a muscle or other structure that normally serves to keep it contained.


People are normally referring to the abdomen or groin when talking about hernias. As lead London hernia specialist Mr Arjun Shankar explains in his authoritative article, there are many types of these abdominal hernias including hiatal, umbilical, or incisional.



So what are Midline Hernias?



Midline Hernias are hernias that occur in the midline of the abdomen and are the second most common form. Repairs used to involve stitching and sutures, but these have now been replaced by mesh repairs and this has led to significant reductions in recurrence rates. The technological advances for midline hernia meshes allow them to be safely placed within the abdomen directly onto the bowel. This provides the most mechanically strong repair for what are often complex areas of weakness. Latest Expert Advice on Surgery for Hernias.

The part of the body that contains the stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder and other organs. Full medical glossary
Relating to the abdomen, which is the region of the body between the chest and the pelvis. Full medical glossary
A common name for the large and/or small intestines. Full medical glossary
The large intestine. Full medical glossary
When part of an organ pushes through the wall of the body cavity that normally holds it. Hernias can develop in many different parts of the body. Full medical glossary
An abnormal protrusion (sticking out) of tissue Full medical glossary
The section of gut, or gastrointestinal tract, from the stomach to the anus. Full medical glossary
Tissue made up of cells that can contract to bring about movement. Full medical glossary
the organ or the body where food is stored and broken down Full medical glossary