Hernias affect an estimated five million Americans annually. While most hernia repairs are elective surgeries, giving patients time to plan and prepare, untreated hernias can lead to life-threatening complications. That’s why hernias should not be ignored.
Here’s what the experts at Broward Health Coral Springs, recently recognized as a Center of Excellence in Hernia Surgery by Surgical Review Corporation
(SRC), want you to know about this common medical condition and its treatment options.
What is a Hernia?
Hernias occur when part of an internal organ pushes through weakened muscles, usually in the abdomen, groin, diaphragm or the site of a previous surgery. They can be caused by muscle weakness, repetitive stress, injury, aging, obesity, pregnancy, chronic coughing or even constipation.
Hernias often cause a lump or bulge that comes and goes. Other common symptoms include pain or pressure during certain movements, and discomfort that gets worse when straining, lifting, laughing or coughing. Some hernias cause heartburn.
When hernias get stuck bulging out, it can stop blood flow to the affected tissue, resulting in conditions called strangulation and obstruction that can cause tissue death and usually require emergency surgery.
Treatment Options
Hernia repair surgical options include:
- Laparoscopic surgery: A minimally invasive procedure in which a camera and special instruments are used
- Robotic surgery: A minimally invasive procedure performed using robotic technology
- Open surgery: A procedure in which a larger incision is made, still used for complex cases “While we perform most procedures robotically, we choose the best option to meet each patient’s individual needs,” said Mark Shachner, M.D., a general surgeon and SRC accredited Surgeon of Excellence in Hernia Surgery, and medical director for the Heartburn and Hernia Center at Broward Health Coral Springs. “The majority of our patients go home the same day of surgery. When we avoid having patients lie in bed for days, it helps everything heal better.”
What Being a Center of Excellence Means
The Center of Excellence accreditation indicates that a hospital is committed to delivering high-quality care.
“I’m incredibly proud of our team for attaining this accreditation,” said Kristen Bowman, CEO of Broward Health Coral Springs. “It required an extensive assessment and inspection process and reflects their dedication to our community and commitment to providing exceptional patient care.”
“This designation shows that our nurses, anesthesiologists and surgeons all follow the same proven standards of care,” said Dr. Shachner. “I’m thankful for the hard work and support given by the team and our leadership during this process, and proud of what it means for our patients.”
To be recognized as a Surgeon of Excellence, Dr. Shachner had to meet criteria for the number of procedures performed, years of experience and exposure to complex procedures. The designation also means he submits himself to outcome monitoring.
As part of its commitment to advancing treatment and care protocols to support the best possible patient outcomes, the Heartburn and Hernia Center at Broward Health Coral Springs is actively researching what pain management leads to the most comfortable recovery.
Visit BrowardHealth.org/CoralSprings for more
information on the hospital and its services.
