Unlike traditional repairs, the abdominal fascia (tissue around the muscle that gives strength to the abdominal wall) isn’t sutured together. Instead, the mesh covers the weak area like a patch.

TAPP is one way to do a hernia repair. It stands for “transabdominal preperitoneal.” The peritoneum is a membrane that covers the organs in the abdomen. During TAPP, the peritoneum is opened to reach the hernia.

To make a traditional repair, an incision is made over the hernia. The muscle tissue surrounding the weak area is then sewn together to repair the defect.

Although a hernia bulge may appear suddenly, hernias often take years to develop. They grow larger as pressure inside the body presses the intestines or other tissues out through a weak area in the abdominal wall.

A hernia is a weakness or defect in the wall of the abdomen.

A hernia occurs when a section of intestine protrudes through a weakness in the abdominal muscles. A soft bulge is seen underneath the skin where the hernia has occurred.