Hernias commonly occur in the abdominal area, although they can also develop in other parts of the body. Surgery is often recommended to repair hernias because they rarely heal on their own and can lead to complications if left untreated.

There are different types of hernias, including:

1. Inguinal Hernia: This is the most common type of hernia and occurs when a portion of the intestine or bladder pushes through the abdominal wall or into the inguinal canal in the groin.

2. Femoral Hernia: Similar to an inguinal hernia, a femoral hernia also occurs in the groin area but usually lower down. It involves tissue protruding through the femoral canal.

3. Umbilical Hernia: This type of hernia develops near the navel (belly button) when fatty tissue or part of the intestine pushes through a weakened area of the abdominal wall.

4. Incisional Hernia: This type of hernia develops at the site of a previous surgical incision, where the scar tissue is weaker than the surrounding tissue.

5. Hiatal Hernia: This type of hernia occurs when part of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm and into the chest cavity.

The surgical procedure to repair a hernia is known as herniorrhaphy or hernioplasty. There are two main approaches to hernia surgery:

1. Open Hernia Repair: In this traditional approach, a single larger incision is made near the hernia site, and the protruding tissue is pushed back into place. The weakened muscle or tissue is reinforced with stitches and often with the use of mesh to provide additional support.

2. Laparoscopic Hernia Repair: Also known as minimally invasive surgery, this method involves making a few small incisions through which a laparoscope (a thin tube with a camera) and surgical instruments are inserted. The surgeon uses the laparoscope to guide the repair process and may also use mesh to strengthen the area.