When faced with the pain and distress of a hernia, you want a surgeon you can trust to give you your life back. The University Health Comprehensive Hernia Center provides you with a team of experts in treating all types of hernias, from the most common to the most complex - even those previously thought not repairable. Our surgeons use a wide variety of surgical techniques to provide individualized care for each patient. This includes open, laparoscopic and Robotic methods.
Hernias are a common condition. They can be painful, may compromise lifestyle, and in some cases may be dangerous if left untreated. Using the latest in surgical advances, our treatment leads to smoother recovery and lower risk of hernia recurrence.
We also combine our specialized knowledge with expertise from other disciplines — such as physical therapy, nutritional support and wound care - to provide comprehensive care for all of our patients. The University Health Comprehensive Hernia Center, the only one in the region, is available to patients for consultation, surgical treatment, follow up, or just questions.
Our surgeons are experts at treating all types of hernias, even those previously thought not repairable. To schedule an appointment, please call 816.404.4276.
Advanced approach
We are experts in developing effective, open or minimally invasive procedures to meet your specific needs. This selection process, which is the foundation for our patient-specific approach, is based on our extensive experience as a result of performing a multitude of hernia repairs each year. This expertise in both routine and complex hernia surgeries assures that all of our patients receive the safest and most effective repair available.
Our surgeons use the latest minimally invasive techniques that result in smaller incisions, fewer stitches, less pain and much faster recoveries. Hernia repair with our advanced approach is:
- Safe and effective
- Results in the lowest incidence of recurrent hernias
- Minimizes discomfort and scarring after surgery
- Promotes rapid recovery and a return to normal activity in day
To schedule an appointment, please call 816.404.4276.
A hernia is tissue that bulges out of a weak spot in the abdominal wall. Your intestines may bulge out through this weakened area. In time, most hernias grow, and surgery is the only way to resolve them. During hernia repair, this bulging tissue is pushed back in. Your abdominal wall is strengthened and supported with stitches, and sometimes mesh.
To schedule an appointment, please call 816.404.3855.
A ventral hernia is a bulge (of tissues) through an opening, or defect, within the abdominal wall muscles. It can occur anywhere on the abdominal wall. Many are called incisional hernias because they often form at the healed site of past surgical incisions where the skin has become weak or thin. Some people are born with a defect that causes the abdominal wall to be abnormally thin. They are at a greater risk for developing a ventral hernia. Other risk factors include: pregnancy, obesity, history of previous hernias, history of abdominal surgeries, injuries to the bowel area and family history of hernias or constantly lifting or pushing heavy objects.
To schedule an appointment, please call 816.404.3855.
A femoral hernia happens when tissue bulges from the lower belly into the upper thigh, just below the groin crease. Femoral hernias are more common in women than in men. Pain from a femoral hernia is most often felt in the groin area and can be hard to diagnose. The hernia may be too small for your doctor to feel during a physical exam. You may need other tests. Often a femoral hernia is found when part of the intestine is trapped and blood supply to the tissue is cut off. This is called a strangulated hernia and requires emergency surgery.
To schedule an appointment, please call 816.404.3855.
An umbilical hernia happens when the opening in the stomach muscle that allows the umbilical cord to pass through does not close as it should. Umbilical hernias are most common in babies, but they can also occur in adults.
An umbilical hernia in adults usually occurs when too much pressure is put on a weak section of the stomach muscles, due to factors including: stomach surgery; being overweight, frequent pregnancies, multiple gestation pregnancies (twins, triplets, etc.), fluid in the abdominal cavity, and having a persistent, heavy cough.
To schedule an appointment, please call 816.404.3855.
An epigastric hernia happens when fat pushes through a weak part of the belly wall. It occurs in the middle of the belly between the breastbone and the navel. Most often, these hernias are small. You can have more than one epigastric hernia at a time.
Epigastric hernias often have few or no symptoms. But they can cause pain in the upper belly. You may need surgery to repair an epigastric hernia.
To schedule an appointment, please call 816.404.3855.
A hiatal hernia happens when the upper part of your stomach pushes up through your diaphragm and into your chest area. This condition mostly occurs in people over 50 years old. The exact cause of many hiatal hernias isn’t known. In some people, injury or other damage may weaken muscle tissue. This makes it possible for your stomach to push through your diaphragm.
To schedule an appointment, please call 816.404.3855.