Expert Hernia Care Restores Quality of Life
Torrance Memorial offers advanced, personalized treatment for all types of hernias with the goal of delivering outstanding outcomes and long-lasting results.
If you notice symptoms in your groin or abdomen like a bulge, pain or a feeling of pressure that may appear or disappear with different activities, you could be dealing with a hernia. Although hernias may look and sound serious, they are a common and treatable condition.
A hernia occurs when tissue or organs bulge through a weakened area in muscular tissue. Those weak points can be a part of normal development or acquired through injuries, health risks or prior surgery. Hernias are most common in the abdominal wall, affecting the groin, belly button, abdomen or the site of a previous surgery.
“Before birth, a male’s testicles descend through an opening in the abdominal wall. We all had an umbilical cord at the belly button until after birth. These are normal parts of development that create natural weak points where hernias can form,” says Timothy J. Morley, MD, a fellowship-trained, board-certified general surgeon at Torrance Memorial Medical Center. “We also acquire weak points in our tissues throughout our lives from prior abdominal surgery, injuries, obesity or other factors.”
According to the American College of Surgeons, inguinal hernias alone—which occur in the groin and are the most common site of abdominal hernias—affect 25% of men at some point in their lives. Nearly 1 million inguinal hernia repairs are performed each year in the United States.
Other less common types of hernias include:
- Epigastric hernias, which occur in the abdomen between the belly button and rib cage.
- Femoral hernias, which occur in the inner thigh area.
- Hiatal hernias, which are not visible outside the body and occur when the stomach bulges through the diaphragm and into the chest cavity.
- Lumbar hernias, which occur in the sides or lower back.
- Perineal hernias, which occur in the pelvic area.
Finding the right care option
If you notice hernia symptoms, your primary care doctor can diagnose your condition and refer you to a general surgeon so you can learn more about your surgical treatment options.
“My goal is to offer each patient the right operation at the right time to achieve the right treatment objective,” says Dr. Morley. “No two hernias are the same, and patients have different priorities for their treatment. So when surgery is needed, we want to be sure we offer the best repair to deliver the best outcome.”
One factor that contributes to the hospital’s outstanding reputation for hernia repair excellence is the surgical team’s focus on “pre-habilitation”—steps patients can take before surgery to optimize treatment success.
“When patients have the healthiest possible body, they have the best chance of a successful repair,” says Dr. Morley. “Before surgery, we work with physical therapists, primary care providers, weight management experts and other health care professionals so patients can lose weight, exercise, quit smoking, receive the preventive care they need and manage chronic conditions such as diabetes.”
Comprehensive treatment
Dr. Morley performs minimally invasive robotic and laparoscopic repairs, as well as traditional open hernia repairs. During some procedures, Dr. Morley will use surgical mesh to reinforce the repair—a technique that safely reduces the risk of recurrence.
“I always aim to perform the most minimally invasive, durable and technically excellent repair,” says Dr. Morley. “Patients who come to me with hernias are often highly active. I enjoy talking with them about their treatment goals so we can select the technique that will provide the longest-lasting results while restoring their quality of life and reducing their risk of complications.”
Timothy J. Morley, MD, practices at Cedars-Sinai Surgery – Torrance, at 23451 Madison Street, Suite 340. He can be reached at 424-315-1030.
