Glossary of
Hernia Terms

Adhesion
Acquired Flaw
Asymptomatic
Bilateral
Body Mechanics
Congenital Flaw
Constant Pain
Dehabilitating
Direct Hernia
Fascia
Fibrous Tissue
General Anesthesia
Hydrocele
Incarcerated
Indirect Hernia
Intermittent Pain
Ligated
Local Anesthesia
Mesh
Meshomas
Midline
Neuroma
Non-reducible
Periostitis
Peritoneum
Prostatectomy
Recurrent
Reducible
Strangulated
Sutures
Tension Free Mesh Technique
Triple Neuropathy
Umbilical Ring

 

• Adhesion - A band of scar tissue that joins normally separated internal body structures, most often after surgery, inflammation, or injury in the area.

 

• Acquired Flaw - Referring to a feature, state, or disease that happens after birth.

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• Asymptomatic - When a disease or affliction exists without any signs of symptoms.

 

• Bilateral - Affecting both the right and left sides of the body.

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• Body Mechanics - Use of the body in an efficient way to prevent injury.

 

• Congenital Flaw - A condition recognized at birth, or that is believed to have been present since birth, including conditions which are inherited or caused by an outside factor.

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• Constant Pain - Continuing pain that does not cease or let up, but continues for long periods of time.

 

• Dehabilitating - When personal, social or economic aspects of everyday life become difficult or impossible to maintain due to a physical affliction.

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• Direct Hernia - Direct hernias are the result of a weakness or a tear in the floor of the inguinal canal. The floor of the inguinal canal is composed of muscles, which when torn, result in a hernia. The muscles on the floor of the inguinal canal tear as a result of an increase in intra-abdominal pressure during strenuous activities, such as lifting or straining, or in sports. The floor may tear at once resulting in a hernia. At times the floor may weaken as a result of repetitive stresses, resulting in a small bulge that is not quite a hernia because it has not quite broken through. However if the muscles on the floor of the inguinal canal rupture, a hernia will result. Direct inguinal hernias are all acquired.

 

• Fascia - A connective tissue sheath consisting of fibrous tissue and fat which unites the skin to the underlying tissue.

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• Fibrous Tissue - Tissue consisting of or containing fibers.

 

• General Anesthesia - A reversible state of unconsciousness produced by anesthetic agents, with absence of pain over the entire body.
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• Hydrocele - (PHOTO) A sac of fluid surrounded by a membrane adjacent to the testicle. A hydrocele may be present by itself, or may be accompanied by a hernia. A hydrocele may be the result of trauma, known as a traumatic hydrocele, however, a hydrocele may also be the result of an infection. If left untreated, a hydrocele can become quite large. We can typically observe a hydrocele for a few weeks, as sometimes a hydrocele may resolve on its own. More frequently, however, the hydrocele will persist or become large. In these instances the hydrocele should be managed with surgery.

 

• Incarcerated - (PHOTO of Incarcerated Hernia) To become confined or locked up.

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• Indirect Hernia - An indirect hernia occurs at the internal inguinal ring, which is the opening in the abdominal wall muscle where the spermatic cord contains structures that travel from the abdomen to the scrotum. The structures in the spermatic cord include the vas deferens, nerves, arteries and veins to the testicle. These hernias contain a sac, which tends to bulge and cause pain as the sac becomes pinched during exercise and straining. Indirect inguinal hernias may be a result of an increase in intra-abdominal pressure during strenuous activities, such as lifting or straining, during sports, or they may be congenital.

 

• Intermittent Pain - Pain which will start and then stop on a regular or irregular basis.

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• Ligated - The process of binding or joining together.

 

• Local Anesthesia - The elimination of pain sensation in one part of the body by the topical application or regional injection of an anesthetic.
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• Mesh - (PHOTO) A synthetic material resembling a flat, pliable thin screen, which is used to repair a hernia. We commonly use a mesh, which is composed of a synthetic plastic called polypropylene. This material is the same that is used to manufacture sutures. There are many types of mesh available. Some meshes come in flat sheets of different shapes while others come in the shape of a plug. In some instances the mesh may contain an inner layer of a biodegradable material when the mesh is placed internally to prevent adhesions during surgery.

 

• Meshomas - Hardened or bunched up mesh and/or mesh plugs.

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• Midline - A horizontal line down the middle of the body.

 

• Neuroma - A thickened nerve ending that results after surgery when a nerve is either pinched or cut. A neuroma may cause a burning, stabbing or pinching pain. The pain is usually temporarily but can be permanent. The pain may be constant or intermittent, being aggravated by certain movements that stretch the damaged nerve. When the pain is severe it may result in permanent disability. The pain from a neuroma is usually treated by a pain management specialist, usually a board certified anesthesiologist.
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• Non-reducible - Unable to make smaller.

 

• Periostitis - Inflammation involving the membrane of connective tissue that closely enfolds all bones.

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• Peritoneum - The tissue that lines the abdominal wall and covers most of the organs in the abdomen.

 

• Prostatectomy - An operation to remove all or part of the prostate.

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• Recurrent - To reappear or to come back after surgery.

 

• Reducible - To lessen or make smaller.

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• Strangulated - Constrict a hollow organ or vessel so as to stop the flow of blood or air.

 

• Sutures - Stitches used to hold tissue together or close a wound.

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• Tension Free Mesh Technique - We utilize a "tension free mesh technique" whereby the mesh is utilized like a patch to close the hole in the abdominal wall, much the same way a patch can be sewn in clothing to repair a pair of torn trousers. We commonly use a mesh, which is composed of a synthetic plastic called polypropylene. This material is the same that is used to manufacture sutures. Using an older conventional hernia repair method, eight to ten sutures were used to repair the hernia. Using the "tension free" technique we use only two sutures in addition to the mesh. In effect the same quantity of synthetic polypropylene material was used for both the tension free and the conventional non-mesh method. There are many types of mesh available.

View Tension Free Mesh Technique Slide Show

Some meshes come in flat sheets of different shapes while others come in the shape of a plug. In some instances the mesh may contain an inner layer of a biodegradable material when the mesh is placed internally to prevent adhesions during surgery. Since hernias differ from patient to patient, every patient requires our expertise in determining the mesh and technique that is best for them. We customizes the mesh for every patient shaping it exactly as needed to obtain a perfect fit in performing our patients custom-made hernia repair. The "tension free mesh technique" results in less post operative pain and a rapid return to normal activities.

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• Triple Neuropathy - An operation in which the three major groin nerves are cut with the purpose of decreasing chronic groin pain after a hernia surgery.

 

• Umbilical Ring - A small hole through which the umbilical cord passes into the belly of the fetus while in the womb.

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