A hernia is a bulge that occurs when an organ or tissue pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall. Hernias do not heal on their own; the durable treatment is laparoscopic mesh repair, which restores strength with minimal pain and fast recovery.
Sudden severe pain, hard tender lump, vomiting — possible strangulation
| Definition | Protrusion of tissue through a weak point in the abdominal wall |
| Who | More common in men; raised by straining, coughing, heavy lifting |
| See a surgeon | Any visible bulge, discomfort, or a hernia that won't push back |
| Urgency flags | Sudden severe pain, hard tender lump, vomiting — possible strangulation |
What is a hernia?
A hernia forms when an organ — often part of the intestine — pushes through a weakened area of the abdominal wall, creating a visible bulge. Common types are inguinal (groin), umbilical, incisional and hiatus hernias.
Symptoms & causes
Most hernias appear as a bulge that may ache on standing, coughing or lifting and ease on lying down. They are caused by a combination of muscle weakness and strain.
Diagnosis
Most hernias are diagnosed on clinical examination. An ultrasound or CT scan helps in unclear cases or to plan complex and recurrent repairs.
Treatment options
Hernias do not resolve without surgery. Laparoscopic mesh repair reinforces the weak area with minimal pain, small scars and a low recurrence rate, allowing a quick return to normal activity.
How we treat Hernia (Inguinal, Umbilical, Incisional, Hiatus)
Robotic Hernia Repair
Robotic repair of complex, recurrent and large ventral, incisional, inguinal and hiatus hernias — wristed instruments allow precise mesh placement and defect (TAR) closure for durable, low-recurrence results.
View treatment → Hernia
Laparoscopic mesh repair for all hernias — restoring the abdominal wall with small cuts, less pain and a fast recovery.
View treatment → Incisional Hernia
Repair of a hernia that develops through a previous surgical scar — strengthened with mesh, usually by key-hole technique.
View treatment →Documented cases from our practice
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Read case →Visiting consultations near you
Meet Dr. Avinash Tank across Gujarat & Rajasthan — simple cases managed locally, advanced surgery at Dwarika Hospital, Ahmedabad.
Super-specialist GI, bariatric & cancer surgeon. SGPGIMS (India's premier GI centre) + advanced training in Japan & South Korea. Read full profile →
Last reviewed: June 2026Frequently asked questions
No. A hernia is a physical defect in the muscle wall and only surgery can repair it; waiting risks enlargement and complications.
Mesh repair is the global standard for durable hernia repair, with a low recurrence rate and excellent long-term outcomes.
Strangulation occurs when trapped tissue loses its blood supply — a surgical emergency signalled by sudden severe pain, a hard lump and vomiting.
After keyhole repair, most people resume desk work within one to two weeks and heavier activity a little later.
Cost depends on hernia type, mesh used and hospital, so ask for a personalised estimate. Choose an MCh-qualified surgical gastroenterologist with high case volumes — Dr. Avinash Tank has performed 10,000+ GI & bariatric surgeries at Dwarika Hospital, Ahmedabad.
हर्निया अपने आप ठीक नहीं होता — लैप्रोस्कोपिक मेश रिपेयर से कम दर्द, छोटे निशान और जल्दी रिकवरी के साथ स्थायी इलाज होता है।
Haan, hernia surgery ke bina theek nahi hota. Laparoscopic mesh repair se kam pain aur fast recovery ke saath permanent ilaj hota hai.
Doctor-written articles on Hernia (Inguinal, Umbilical, Incisional, Hiatus)
Case Library
Large Hiatus Hernia with GERD Successfully Treated by Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplicatio
Reading Time: 13 minutesLarge Hiatus Hernia with Severe GERD Successfully Treated by Adva…
Read article → Surgical Technique Laparoscopic repair of a large paraesophageal herniaReading Time: 8 minutesLaparoscopic repair of a large paraesophageal hernia is built arou…
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Blog
Internal Hernia: Types & Treatment.
3 minutes Internal Hernia: Types & Treatment. An internal hernia is a type of hernia that…
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