. The Surgical Repair of Umbilical Hernias, like that of Inguinal, Femoral, and many Simple and Complex Incisional Hernias is SAFELY and EFFECTIVELY performed as a "Same Day", out-patient ambulatory procedure. This includes most "RECURRENT" hernias as well.

. With the patient awake, calm and sedated yet comfortably free of pain, the risks of General Anesthesia are avoided. Our patients are walking shortly after surgery and are discharged home within about 1-2 hours.

. We utilize a Mini-Incision "Open" Technique using mild sedation and local anesthesia (i.e., Novocaine-like medication) for the overwhelming majority of all hernia repairs including Umbilical Hernias. Under normal circumstances, our incisions are very small (about 2 inches or less), located near the umbilical area. These incisions are cosmetically designed to be essentially hidden within the normal concave contour of the navel, which is returned to its natural desired inverted ('INNIE') configuration after surgery. The navel is not removed.

. For the most common UMBILICAL HERNIA, we utilize a "Tension Free" repair, increasingly recognized by Hernia Specialists as the "benchmark" method for hernia surgery. This is performed by carefully inserting a specially designed sterile "Mesh"safely and securely 'BENEATH' the hernia defect itself to close and repair the hernia defect immediately. The mesh extends well beyond the under edges of the muscle defect to reduce pressure on the hernia defect opening and to also reinforce the entire area at the same time. No overlay mesh is used in Umbilical hernias (Details). The repair is immediately strong and the hernia fully and effectively repaired. In time, tissue grows into the mesh itself and the mesh becomes safely incorporated into the muscle wall. It is undetectable by the patient and is flexible so as to conform to the patient's position and activity. The mesh is held in place without tension. No painfully tight sutures are placed to pull muscle unnaturally together nor are staples or tacks utilized in this repair method. In addition, since the mesh is UNDER the muscle layer and not on top, it is not detectable or felt at all by patients later on. The intestines are fully protected in this procedure by a natural membrane (called Peritoneum) that exists between the under-surface of the muscle and the intestine. This membrane is positioned between the inserted mesh and the intestine so there is no concern about adhesions or intestinal injury.

. Several "Mesh Systems" are available. We feel that no two patients are alike and therefore no two hernias are alike. All hernias differ from patient to patient, often with significantly variations. We therefore feel that no one single TENSION FREE operative approach, nor single mesh product system is suitable for all patients or all hernias.

. Surgery at the NORTH PENN HERNIA INSTITUTE is tailored specifically to the individual needs of each and every patient. We are expertly familiar with the various advanced Tension Free repair techniques commonly in use today. All of the various necessary mesh-system methods and diverse products are fully available to us. We individually select the precise mesh product suited for each umbilical hernia by identifying the precise size, shape, configuration and product manufacturer needed to effectively repair the hernia. Selection is made at the time of surgery. This process, which is the foundation of what we call our "Benchmark" approach, is based on our extensive experience, developed by performing nearly one thousand various hernia repairs annually and "Specializing" in hernia repairs for over 20 years. This expertise in both routine and complex umbilical hernia surgery assures that all of our patients receive the most satisfactory, safest and importantly the most effective repair available.

. Recovery is therefore more rapid! Pain is minimal, since muscles are not pulled together nor sewn under tension. Post-operative restrictions are few, if any, and our patients can actually return to NORMAL activity in 1-2 DAYS! This includes resumption of work and recreational activity as desired.

. This fully effective contemporary umbilical hernia repair technique allows for your comfortably-rapid recovery. The advanced techniques we utilize are associated with the Lowest Risk of Recurrence when compared to most other older surgical techniques which place extreme tension on the muscle and the repair by simply cutting and sewing muscle together. Our BENCHMARK technique is equally safe and fully effective for "Recurrent" Umbilical Hernias as well.

. Hernia repair with this advanced "Benchmark" approach is:

• Safe and Fully Effective Surgical Repair
• Lowest Incidence of Recurrent Hernias in the Future (less than 0.3%)
• Minimal Post Operative Discomfort
• Few Restrictions on Activity
• RETURN TO NORMAL ACTIVITY IN DAYS!

For Specific Questions on Umbilical or other Hernia Repairs
PLEASE

OR

or Call 215-368-1122

Thank You,
James A. Goodyear, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Surgeon and Director

Surgery is performed at

formerly
NORTH PENN HOSPITAL
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in Lansdale, Pennsylvania