Hernia Surgery
Hernias can range from being a nuisance to severely painful. Surgeons at Cedars-Sinai treat all types of hernias—from common to complex—so you can feel better and avoid complications.
What Is a Hernia?
Hernias occur when organs or other soft tissue push through weak spots in the surrounding muscle or membrane. The protruding tissue often creates a lump, typically in the abdominal area.
Often, hernias result from weak muscles, though they may also occur from heavy lifting or activities that strain the abdominal muscles. Without surgery, hernias continue to grow and can lead to serious, life-threatening complications.
Types of Hernias
Our expert surgeons operate on all types of hernias, including those found in the:
- Groin (inguinal hernia)
- Thigh/outer groin (femoral hernia)
- Abdomen scar or incision site (incisional hernia)
- Abdomen/ventral wall (ventral hernia)
- Belly button (umbilical hernia)
- Upper stomach/diaphragm (hiatal hernia)
Hernia Surgery at Cedars-Sinai
At Cedars-Sinai, we perform hernia operations along with a team of experts in the digestive tract and abdomen. Our skilled specialists offer both conventional and minimally invasive surgical options to repair hernias and relieve symptoms, including:
Robotic Hernia Repair
Precise robotic technology enables us to visualize and repair the hernia. Using robotic instruments, we make small incisions near the hernia and insert thin, flexible tools. We reinforce the abdominal walls and may use surgical mesh to give additional support to the muscle or membrane.
Laparoscopic Reconstruction
Similar to robotic surgery, we use tiny incisions and flexible scopes to repair the hernia.
Open Surgery
Our team may perform traditional open surgery to push the tissue back into place and stitch the muscle wall together. We may add surgical mesh to fortify the muscle wall.
The type of procedure we perform depends on many factors, and there are advantages to each. Minimally invasive surgery (robotic and laparoscopic) has a lower risk of infection, less bleeding and faster recovery time. However, open surgery may offer better long-term success in preventing future hernias. We work with you to determine the treatment that best fits your needs.
Have Questions or Need a Second Opinion?
To make an appointment or refer a patient, call the Hernia Surgery care team. You can also have us call you back at your convenience.