Carbondale Reporter

Hernias are a common health issue that often goes unnoticed, according to Dr. Adrian Martin, an SIH General and Robotic Surgeon. "It's a very, very common problem and it flies a little bit under the radar," he stated. Hernias can lead to significant health problems, particularly later in life.

Dr. Martin recently addressed members of SIH Second Act about hernias, describing them as one of the most frequent surgical issues encountered by general surgeons. In the United States alone, over one million hernia surgeries are performed annually.

As people age, their tissues become more susceptible to hernias. Factors such as smoking, obesity, diabetes, and alcohol consumption increase this risk. "Many of them tend to actually not be painful for quite a while," Dr. Martin noted, adding that symptoms often include mild discomfort or a bulge.

Surgery is typically necessary for treating hernias, though lifestyle changes may alleviate symptoms for some patients.

The introduction of robotic surgery has significantly transformed hernia treatment. "With the advent of robotics...we are able now to do with small incisions usually increased...procedures that we used to do open with a large incision," Dr. Martin explained. This advancement has improved patient willingness to undergo surgery and enhanced the quality of hernia repairs while reducing recurrence and complication rates.