- Phone: 310.453.1786 | Fax: 310.584.9992
Our Services
At Pacific Coast Hernia Center, all hernia repairs are performed on an out-patient, same day basis safely and effectively, regardless of whether or not your hernia is recurrent or not. We realize each of you is coming to us with unique needs and situations, which is why the surgical procedures at Pacific Coast Hernia Center are specifically tailored for each of you.
Conventional Method
The Conventional Method has been widely used by surgeons and hernia specialists since the early 1900's and is still widely practiced today. With the Conventional Method, an incision is made directly over the site of the existing hernia. The tissue protruding through the opening is then returned to the abdominal cavity and any sac that may have formed is removed. The initial weakness or tear in the abdominal wall is then repaired with strong surrounding muscle, which is sewn over the weakness or tear. This method requires patients lift no more than 40 lbs. after surgery and is associated with a high rate of recurrence, a prolonged healing time of six to eight weeks and usually entails more post-operative pain.
Tension Free Mesh Technique
The Tension Free Mesh Technique is the preferred method of hernia repair and has been in practice since the early 1970's. This technique utilizes specially designed "mesh", which can be altered to fit the exact needs of every patient. With the Tension Free Mesh Technique an incision is made directly over the site of the existing hernia. Any protruding tissue is returned to its proper position through the weakness or tear in the abdominal wall. At this time specially designed mesh is also placed on the inside of the tear or weakness, helping to repair the hernia from the inside.
The safest, most effective way to repair a hernia is with the advanced Tension Free Mesh technique as practiced here at Pacific Coast Hernia Center for over ten years. This advanced technique is ideal for repairing inguinal hernias in addition to many other
types of hernias.
Laparoscopic Method
The Laparoscopic Method, which has been in practice since the 1980's, uses a light tube and video camera inserted into small incisions, each no more than one centimeter in length. The video camera, inserted into one of the incisions, allows the surgeon to find and view the hernia during the entire operation while the other incisions allow the surgeon internal access to the hernia to perform the surgery. Once the hernia is repaired using techniques similar to that of the Tension Free Mesh technique, the surgeon removes all instruments used during the surgery and uses a single stitch to close each of the small incisions. However, Laparoscopic surgery is not for everyone. If you have 1) a large or incarcerated hernia, 2) previous pelvic surgery (i.e. prostatectomy, etc.) or 3) if you cannot tolerate general anesthesia then laparoscopic surgery is may not be for you.
Pacific Coast Hernia Center currently uses state of the art methods for any of our hernia repairs. The repair may incorporate the Laporscopic approach depending on the hernia and the patient. We also use varies meshes depending on the type of hernia being repaired.
