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May 25, 2007 -- An advanced treatment option that can repair many
hernias in just a few hours in an outpatient procedure has been
introduced at Kimball Medical Center.
Jarrod Kaufman, M.D., a board-certified general surgeon
on staff at Kimball Medical Center, is specially trained in an innovative
procedure that uses a synthetic mesh device that can repair a hernia
from both the inside and outside of the abdominal wall.
“Hernias continue to be a major health problem
for millions of Americans,” Dr. Kaufman says. “With
the introduction of this new treatment option, Kimball is bringing
its patients the most advanced and effective treatment options for
hernias.”
A hernia is a weakness or tear in the abdominal muscles
that allows fatty tissue or an organ such as the intestines to protrude
through the muscle tissue. Hernias most often occur in or around
the groin, abdomen, and navel or near previous sites of abdominal
surgery. A hernia will generally increase in size and become more
painful if left untreated, and can also lead to more serious, life-
threatening complications.
The National Center for Health Statistics estimates
that about 5 million people in the U.S. have an abdominal hernia.
Hernia repair is one of the most common surgical procedures performed
in the U.S., with more than 750,000 people seeking treatment for
hernias each year.
Traditional hernia repair surgery involves making
an incision in the abdomen, pushing back any protruding tissue,
and then stitching the tissue together to close the incision. Recovery
time is usually four to six weeks, and there is a 10 percent to
15 percent chance that the hernia will recur.
In the procedure involving the mesh device, known
as the PROLENE* polypropylene Hernia System, surgeons insert the
device right through the abdominal wall at the site of the hernias.
The inside section of the mesh device is positioned to lie flat
against the inner abdominal wall, and is held in place by the natural
pressure of the abdomen.
According to Dr. Kaufman, minimal suturing is used
to secure the outer section of mesh in place on the outside of the
abdominal wall. The high tissue compatibility of the mesh enables
tissue in-growth for fast healing, he adds.
“With newer treatment options we can now repair
a hernia using an outpatient procedure that is generally faster
and less invasive than traditional surgical procedures,” he
says. “Following treatment, hernia patients can now often
return home the same day and resume many normal activities in a
matter of days.”
In the past, patients often spent weeks or even months
recovering from hernia repair surgery. Kimball Medical Center is
committed to being a leader in hernia repair to make sure that patients
have access to all of the most advanced treatment options.
“Our goal is to get them back to their regular
routine faster and with less discomfort,” he adds.
Hernia Signs and Symptoms
Each hernia is different, and the symptoms of a hernia can appear
gradually or suddenly. Different people feel varying degrees of
pain. Some people feel nothing except the presence of a lump, while
others feel that something has ruptured or given way.
Other symptoms may include:
- Feelings of weakness, pressure, burning or pain in the abdomen,
groin or scrotum.
- A bulge or lump in the abdomen, groin or scrotum that is easier
to see when you cough and disappears when you lie down.
- Pain when straining, lifting, or coughing.
These symptoms may start out as mild but become progressively worse,
causing increasing discomfort. The pain may be present in the directly
affected area, but may also radiate into the hip region, back, leg
or even down towards the genitalia region. This discomfort is called
referred pain, and can become quite severe at times. The pain and
discomfort usually worsens with duration of activity, and then may
become either somewhat or completely relieved with rest.
If you have these symptoms, see your doctor. He or she can confirm
the diagnosis and discuss your treatment options. Even mild groin
pain or an unexplained bump or swelling that lasts more than a week
is worth talking to your doctor about. Your doctor will evaluate
your situation with a medical history and physical exam to determine
how - and when - your hernia needs to be treated. Early diagnosis
and appropriate treatment is the best way to avoid serious complications.
CONTACT: Kathleen Horan
Public Relations and Marketing
732-557-3909
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