Finding relief
After more than two decades, a patient’s hernia is repaired.
Twenty-five years ago, Martin Conner developed what is termed an inguinal hernia, the most common type of hernia. It occurs in the groin when tissue inside the abdomen squeezes through a weak spot in the muscle to a space underneath the skin. For Connor, it began small and unnoticeable, then slowly enlarged. For a long time, he had no symptoms and was able to manage his life reasonably well.
In the last five years, however, the hernia had moved down into his scrotum, the sac of skin that holds the testicles. There it had grown to the size of a grapefruit. Throughout this time, Conner still didn’t consult a specialist, as he wasn’t in great pain and his career and family kept him busy.
With the large size of the hernia, however, he did feel uncomfortable out in public and at his workplace. He learned how to camouflage the hernia by wearing larger-sized pants and untucked, long-tail shirts. Eventually, the problem could no longer remain hidden. “In the beginning of 2022, the hernia became too painful and uncomfortable to ignore any longer,” Conner said.
Finding the right surgeon
In April 2022, Conner had a routine visit with his urologist, who suggested he consult with a surgeon to repair the hernia. A few months later, Conner saw a local area surgeon who examined him but wasn’t comfortable performing the hernia repair because of its size and complexity.
The Jacksonville surgeon referred Conner to a world-renowned surgeon located in Charlotte, North Carolina, who specializes in complex hernia surgery. Although Conner and his wife, Cindy, did make the trip to Charlotte to meet with the surgeon, they had concerns about the possibility of having to make the seven-hour trip multiple times if follow-up was needed. The surgeon understood and recommended that Connor meet with Jana Sacco, MD, a surgeon in Jacksonville who had trained with him and practiced only 50 miles from Connor’s home.
Conner's surgery was successful with no complications. He was impressed with Dr. Sacco's professionalism and bedside manner.
Meeting Dr. Sacco
Jana Sacco, MD, is a UF Health Jacksonville surgeon, who specializes in abdominal wall surgery. She examined Conner in October 2022 and told him she could perform the surgery.
Although his hernia was large and complex, Sacco was confident that she and her multidisciplinary team could perform the surgery with great results.
“I was so impressed with Dr. Sacco’s professionalism, kindness and warmth,” Conner said. “She was just amazing and had a great bedside manner.”
Martin Conner poses for a photo with his wife, Cindy.
Repairing a complex hernia
Conner was scheduled for hernia repair surgery at UF Health Surgery – Jacksonville in December 2022. Due to the size of his hernia and the damage it may have caused, Conner was told that he might have to undergo a surgical procedure to remove the testicles as well.
During surgery, Sacco moved a large amount of small intestine that had entered the scrotum back inside the abdomen. She then repaired the hole with a tension-free mesh repair, which covers up the hole and prevents the hernia from coming back. No additional surgeries were needed.
“Mr. Conner’s surgery was successful, with no complications,” Sacco said. “He was discharged the next day. The only restriction I gave him was no heavy lifting for a month.”
Life back to normal after 25 years
The surgery went so well that Conner felt he could have started walking soon after. The only side effect after surgery was a seroma, a fluid collection under the skin of the scrotum near the site of the surgical incision. Yet, the seroma was completely gone six months after Conner’s surgery. “Seromas are normal after
surgery and have to be managed, but they will go away in time,” Sacco said.
Conner went back to work six weeks after surgery with a renewed confidence. Today, he no longer has to wear loose-fitting shirts and bigger pants. He sleeps better. And he can finally move around and exercise, with no thought of the hernia causing him pain or discomfort.
“I only wish I would’ve done this surgery 15 years ago,” Conner said. “I’m happy my life is back to normal. I can tuck in my shirts and even wear a bathing suit. It looks and feels like the hernia was never there.”
Visit UFHealthJax.org/hernia or call 904.383.1015 to learn more about hernia surgery, or ask your doctor for a referral to schedule an appointment.
