Mr Alistair Windsor is a world-renowned private hernia surgeon based in the centre of London’s medical mile, where he runs the London Digestive Centre, a leading private practice specialising in the field of colorectal surgery.

Hernia symptoms

A hernia forms when an internal part of the body is forced through a weakened muscle or tissue wall. The most common area is between the chest and hips, with swelling often occurring in the abdomen or groin area. If you have noticed a lump when coughing or straining that can be pushed back in, it is likely to be a hernia.

If a hernia is causing sudden, severe pain, vomiting, difficulty passing stools, or becomes firm or tender, you should seek medical attention immediately. These symptoms could indicate a possible strangulated hernia or obstructed bowel, which is classed as medical emergencies and will require hernia surgery.

Surgical treatments

As a hernia specialist, Mr Windsor specialises in a variety of hernia surgical treatments such as ventral hernia surgery and incisional hernia surgery. The treatment will begin by assessing the hernia to confirm the diagnosis and extent of the issue. The surgery process will be dependent on the type of hernia, content of the hernia, your symptoms and overall general health.

A ventral hernia is a pouch which forms from within the inner lining of your abdomen and pushes through a hole within the abdominal wall. Occasionally, the hernia forms near or along old surgical scars within the abdomen area – these are known as incisional hernias. In most cases, incisional hernias do not cause any serious problems, but large hernias may make it difficult to breathe or move with ease.

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    Hernia surgery

    In the past, large hernias were often repaired with stitches and surgical mesh, however, for large or complicated hernias this can mean a high chance of recurrences. Mr Windsor is highly regarded for his use of the latest hernia surgical techniques including component separation, the Rives-Stoppa technique, transversus abdominis release and abdominal wall reconstruction.

    One common method in use by the surgical team is the component separation technique, which uses active tissues to reconstruct complex or large abdominal wall defects. The technique is able to restore the muscle function without the need for mesh.

    The Rives-Stoppa technique is often regarded as the gold standard procedure for repairing midline hernias. The procedure involves the use of a prosthesis which is placed between the posterior sheath and the rectus abdominis muscle. The surgery is well known for reducing reherniation rates and muscle tension.

    Large, complicated ventral hernias are often treated with transversus abdominis muscle release (TAMR) surgery. The process involves dissecting the retromuscular space, followed by an incision made to the posterior rectus sheath to expose the underlying transversus abdominus. The muscle is then divided and released with development of the lateral retro-muscular space before restoring the visceral sac.

    In patients with recurring hernias or severe abdominal weaknesses, the surgical team are able to offer abdominal wall reconstruction. Following the repair of a hernia, the surgeons will dynamically restore the structure of the abdomen at the time of closing the wound. The abdominal tissues are moved and redistributed across the abdominal muscles to create a repair which reinforces the midline.

    Mr Alastair Windsor and his surgical team aim to use their clinical and technical expertise to provide the highest possible standards of hernia surgical treatments. The dedicated team is supported by the finest private clinics in operation throughout Europe, with state-of-the-art endoscopy, radiology and operating theatres.

    Our friendly team know how worrying health issues can be, so are ready to offer their assistance in arranging a consultation with our experienced team. To find out more about our approach to hernia treatment, please contact our friendly team.