Hernias in the groin area (inguinal hernias) are extremely common. About 600,000 operations are performed yearly in this country to repair them. An inguinal hernia occurs when a sac of peritoneum, the lining of the abdominal cavity protrudes through a hole in the muscular wall of the lower abdomen. Part of the intestine can become entrapped, leading to strangulation and requiring an emergency operation. The cause of most hernias is not definitely known, although heavy physical activity, straining and coughing tend to enlarge a hernia once it is present. The only effective treatment is surgery, which is the best course in virtually all cases.

Until recently the operation to repair an inguinal hernia was generally done through a three to four inch incision made over the hernia with the sac being removed or pushed back into the abdominal cavity and a plastic mesh patch sutured over the weak area. In the last five years a method called laparoscopy has been available as an alternative to the standard technique. This new method has less post operative pain and an earlier return to heavy physical activity than the older method, and the success rate appears to be similar. It is usually a good approach when hernias are present on both sides or the hernia is a recurrent one.

With this method three or four small incisions, each less than 1/2 inch in length are placed in the mid abdomen and used to place hollow tubes(trochars) into the space behind the abdominal muscles. Carbon dioxide gas is pumped in to expand the space and a video camera device is passed through one of these trochars to allow the surgeon to see the anatomy on a video monitor. Dissecting instruments are passed through the other trochars to perform the operation. The hernia is pulled back from the muscle and a patch of plastic mesh secured over the muscular defect with tiny metal staples. The operation takes 25-30 minutes, approximately as long as the older technique and is done under general anesthesia. The patient can usually return home two or three hours later. Full physical activity can generally be resumed after one or two weeks, compared with over a month with the older conventional operation.

About our Hernia Surgery Specialists

	Dr. Baghai completed her Doctorate of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. Her general surgery training was completed at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. She subsequently went to Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia to complete a two year fellowship in advanced minimally invasive GI surgery and Bariatric surgery. Dr. Baghai’s expertise is in the area of minimally invasive abdominal surgery, which besides Bariatric (weight loss) surgery includes surgery for gastroesophageal reflux disease, colorectal disease, complex hernias, and gastrointestinal malignancies. She also has a special interest in incorporating new technologies such as robotics into our minimally invasive gastrointestinal surgery program.
	Dr. Camel received his general surgery training at both the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX and L.A. County/USC medical center in Los Angeles, CA. He also spent one year in a Pediatric Surgery Fellowship at L.A. Children’s Hospital. After his training, he became one of the busiest general surgeons in Ventura County excelling in advance laparoscopic and radioguided surgery. He has now relocated and brought his new family to Torrance joining the Association of South Bay Surgeons. He has special interest in gastroesophageal reflux disease, and advance laparoscopic, endocrine, cancer, and breast surgery.
	After completion of his surgical residency, Dr. Dumke did a trauma fellowship at the Maryland Institute of Emergency Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland under the direction of Dr. Adam Cauley. Dr. Dumke then entered the United States Army Medical Corp and was the director of the trauma unit at William Beaumont Army Medical Center. Since discharge from the army Dr. Dumke has maintained a general and vascular surgical practice in the south bay area. Dr. Dumke joined the Association of South Bay Surgeons in 2002.
	After completion of his General Surgery training at Harbor/UCLA Medical Center, Dr. Fisher spent one year in an Oncological Surgery fellowship at City of Hope Medical Center, where he obtained additional experience in performing more extensive operations for treating cancer. He has been in a busy surgical practice in our area for the past twenty-five years. Dr. Fisher has been active in numerous hospital committees and tumor boards and has a special interest in breast surgery. Dr. Fisher is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a charter member of the American Society of General Surgeons.
	Dr. Friedlander was appointed Clinical Instructor of Surgery at the University of Southern California in 1999. Throughout her career she has developed and published a variety of scientific studies in well-known medical journals. Dr. Friedlander is a member of the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, the Society of Laparoscopic Surgeons, and the American Medical Association. She has also presented several research projects at national medical conferences. Now in clinical practice, she enjoys all aspects of general surgery and primarily focuses on two areas of expertise: breast and laparoscopic surgery.
	After obtaining his medical degree at Albany Medical College in Albany, New York, where he was a scholarship recipient, Dr. Lam received his surgical training from the world renowned Barnes Hospital at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. While at Barnes Hospital, Dr. Lam trained exclusively in General, Vascular, and Thoracic Surgery. He utilized that experience as the Chief of Surgery at Hawthorne Community Medical Group, where he delivered all aspects of General Surgery to thousands of patients in Southern California. Dr. Lam is a diplomat of the Medical Board of Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He continues to further the education of medical students and fellow colleagues by being a volunteer faculty member at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center for over 20 years.
	After finishing General Surgery training in New York, Dr. Schiff relocated and opened a General Surgery practice in Torrance. In the past 20 years he has had extensive experience in the surgical treatment of a variety of problems in the field of general surgery, including laparoscopy, hernias, breast surgery and cancer. Dr. Schiff has been very active in hospital committee work as well as taking a leadership role in organized medicine at the local and state level.
	Dr. Takahashi completed her general surgery training at LA County + USC Medical Center. During her residency at USC she spent an additional year in fellowship training in Trauma and Critical Care. She then went on to UCLA where she spent a year focused on Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery. She is Board Certified in General Surgery and Surgical Critical Care. She is a Candidate member of the American College of Surgeons, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), and the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons (ASBS). She has recently joined Association of South Bay Surgeons. Her special interests include advanced laparoscopic and bariatric surgery.