Hiatal hernias often cause a ring-like constriction at the base of the esophagus. An outpatient procedure dilates this ring by passage of a long instrument through the mouth. The patient receives drugs to help them relax during the procedure. Some people with inguinal hernias are not good candidates for surgery. In those cases, a truss, which is a belt that places pressure on the hernia, can help.
Surgery can repair most inguinal hernias in a short and simple operation.
Many patients need local anesthesia only. Surgeons make a small cut and push the intestine loop back to its normal position. Then the weak muscle is repaired and reinforced. Surgeons may use tissues from the patient or man-made materials to build a new wall against future hernias. A rare but serious complication is a strangulated hernia.