Page 67 - herina surgery and possible lawsuits

Hernia Surgery Malpractice

A hernia occurs when fatty tissue or a portion of an organ such as the

bladder, the bowel, or the intestine pushes through either a tear or a
weakened spot in the muscles that comprise the abdominal wall.

Hernia Surgery Malpractice

There are two main types of hernias: Hiatal ones, that happen in the
stomach, and inguinal hernias, which occur in the groin. Abdominal wall

weakness is a common cause of a hernia, though the family history of the
condition can also lead to an individual developing a hernia. Likewise,

injury, surgery, obesity, and pregnancy can all cause hernias, with the

symptoms usually being painful swelling in the region of a hernia.

Hernia Treatment

The most typical way to treat hernias is through surgery, which involves

the re-positioning of the tissue or organ that has come out of place and the
repair the tear in the abdominal wall. Surgery is recommended to avoid

potentially dangerous complications, especially in the case of inguinal

hernias, as these types of injuries can often result in strangulation if a loop
of intestine wraps tightly around a hernia itself. This can lead to blood

flow being cut off to that portion of the intestine.

There are two main forms of hernia surgeries: traditional “open” surgeries

where a surgeon will open up the patient or laparoscopic surgeries where a
“keyhole” incision is made before inserting long instruments and a camera

to conduct the surgery with minimal invasion into the body cavity. Both

are effective, but depending on the type of a hernia you have one type of
procedure might be more appropriate than others.

Risks and Complications

There are risks inherent in any surgical procedure. In cases where a patient
needs to be placed under general anesthesia, complications such as

adverse reactions to medications or the development of labored breathing