Cost of Hernia Surgery in South Africa…How much does a hernia surgery cost in South Africa
WHAT IS A HERNIA?
A hernia is a weakness or opening in the abdominal wall, which often results in soft tissue such as omentum, fat or intestine protruding through the abdominal muscles and occupying space under the skin.
It presents as bulges or swellings on the abdominal wall (Tummy).
The opening in the abdominal wall that leads to the hernia is known as a hernia defect.
Hernia is basically protrusion of your intestines, omentum or fat through a defect in your body.
Common symptoms of Hernia:
Swelling or bulge in the groin or scrotum.
Increased pain at the site of the bulge.
Increase in the bulge size over time.
Pain on exertion.
A sense of feeling full or signs of bowel obstruction.
Certain viscera or tissues organ tissues trying to protrude or force itself out through a weak area in your body.
Most hernias are in the abdomen, whether it’s inguinal, umbilical, hiatal (in which case it forces itself from abdomen into the thorax) or incisional(can be abdomen or thorax).
Now, an instance in your body is this👇👇👇
Using inguinal hernia as an example,
In males, during fetal development in the mother’s womb.
Now, during fetal development, the male testis and spermatic cord is in abdomen instead of pelvis but this is because in the womb we are still developing.
Now, development will bring it down to the normal and rightful position which is the scrotum.
There is an opening between the abdomen and pelvis called through which the testis and spermatic duct will move from abdomen to testis and after it has moved to the right location, that opening between the abdomen and pelvis will close very tightly.
But in large number of persons that will later hernia, that opening may not close tightly and then, fat, intestines and even omentum will likely pass through that defect into the scrotum, thigh or groin as hernia….
Note that it’s not only because it didn’t close well that can make it move back. A lot of things can actually cause hernia and that’s how we’ll now discuss the CAUSES OF HERNIA
RISK FACTORS OR CAUSES OF HERNIA
*CONGENITAL CAUSE: The migration of the testis from the abdomen down to the scrotum create a weakness or defect in the anterior abdomen wall which will act as a conduit for herniation later… This shows that some hernias especially inguinal hernia runs in the family.
*Heavy Weight lifting; persons who lift heavy weight are at greater risk of developing hernia compared to those that don’t.
✔. Smoking is really really bad. It waekens. It weakens tissues and makes hernia more likely.
✔. Persistent cough. Please treat cough if you have it especially if it is chronic…Chronic cough will persistently increase your intrabdominal pressure causing your intestines to push through a defect in your abdominal wall.
✔. Being overweight or obese
✔. Fluid in the abdomen.
* Intra abdominal masses will increase abdominal pressure and makes a person prone to having a hernia
* Men with prostate diseases.
*Pregnancy is a risk factor for hernia in women especially umbilical hernia.
Types of hernia commonly encountered in South Africa
1. Inguinal hernia (the commonest)
2. Umbilical hernia
3. Hiatal hernia
4. Femoral hernia
5. Epigastric hernia
6. Lumbar hernia
7. Inguinoscrotal hernia
2️⃣🌶️Incisional hernia (resulting from an incision): This condition may occur to some people who have undergone abdominal surgery.
The intestines may push through the incision scar or the surrounding weak tissue.
3️⃣🥦Fermoral hernia (outer groin), umbilical (belly botton).
This condition tends to occur more in women than men.
🍒🍒It occurs when fatty tissue or a part of your bowel spill through into your groin at the top of your inner thigh.
🍃🍃Like inguinal hernia, this type of hernia is associated with ageing and occurs due to repeated strain on the abdomen.
4️⃣🍓Hiatal hernia (upper stomach): This condition is most common in people over 50 years of age and occurs when part of the stomach protrudes up through the diaphragm into the chest cavity.
🥝🥝Hiatal hernias can cause gastroesophagus reflux, which is when the stomach contents leak back into the esophagus causing a burning sensation in the heart.
5️⃣🍉Umbilical hernia: This type of hernia occurs when fatty tissue or a part of the bowel pokes through the abdomen near the belly botton.
If left untreated, hernia (protruded bowel) can become obstructed, strangulated and die off…this can kill the patient. So take it serious.
The surest treatment for hernia is surgery and closure of the defect to prevent recurrence and future complications.
In South Africa public and private hospitals, it cost good money for hernia operation;
Below is a price list for the cost of Hernia Surgery in South Africa depending on the type:
Cost of Hernia Surgery in South Africa
1. Cost of Inguinal Hernia Surgery in South Africa : $1,500 – $3,500 depending on whether it is open surgery or laparoscopic hernia operation
2. Cost of Umbilical Hernia Surgery in South Africa is around $2,500
3. Cost of hiatal Hernia operation in South Africa is about $4,000
4. Cost of Femoral Hernia Surgery in South Africa is about $3,000
Many soujt Africans will get their hernia operation done at a cheaper rate in government hospitals than private.
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