An organ or tissue in the body leaves its normal anatomical position and enters another part of the body through a congenital or acquired weakness, defect, or foramen. Hernia is a common and frequent disease. According to conservative estimates, China’s new hernia patients amount to more than 2 million each year, but the rate of consultation is very low. Many patients feel that it does not hinder their life, and at the same time, they are afraid of surgery, so they prefer to cure hernia through conservative treatment. And hernia belt as a kind of inexpensive, easy to use means is most often adopted by the majority of patients. Is this the truth? Is it safe to use a hernia belt? Hernia belts for the first time Hernia belts, an ancient treatment for hernias, have been around since 900 BC. At that time, cloth wraps were used to prevent hernias from protruding. In the nearly 3,000 years since then, methods such as hanging upside down, cauterization, surgical removal of the scrotum, and suturing of the hernia sac have gradually emerged, but hernia belts remain the most effective method. Hernia belts have also been progressively improved to be more comfortable and convenient. It was not until 1887 that Bassini, an Italian doctor, invented a brand new concept of hernia surgery, the Bassini procedure, and from then on, surgery became the only way to cure a hernia, and became the protagonist of hernia treatment, while the hernia belt retired from the stage. Understanding the hernia belt’s “shortcomings” from the treatment principle Hernia belts come in different forms, but the principle is to make the hernia return to the abdominal cavity through physical compression, and press the defective hole to prevent the hernia from protruding again. However, most hernias in adults are acquired defects in the abdominal wall that do not heal on their own. Hernia belts do compress the defect, reduce the protrusion of the hernia mass, and improve localized discomfort such as soreness and indigestion, but they do not allow the defect to heal. Long-term compression can lead to localized muscle atrophy, a weaker abdominal wall, and a more pronounced defect. In addition, due to the pressure of the hernia belt caused by the friction of the tissue around the defect adhesion, more likely to appear difficult to recuperate hernia, increasing the difficulty of surgery. So hernia belt can not cure hernia. Every year, the use of hernia belt delayed surgical treatment, resulting in the development of the disease to a very serious degree, or even the emergence of acute hernia incarceration before the patient abounds in the consultation. The use of a hernia belt requires that the padded bag be tightly compressed over the defect, often resulting in pain and limited movement of the torso. If the band is loosely tied, not only is the compression ineffective, but the hernia will still come out if you move around a little. The hernia belt rubs against the skin for a long time, especially when it is hot and sweaty, and localized eczema and other skin diseases are very easy to appear. Long-term compression will also lead to localized skin vitiligo. Children wearing hernia belt for a long time will also affect the normal growth and development. In summary, we are clear: hernia belt is the treatment of the symptoms but not the root cause of the problem. Re-recognizing the hernia belt Is the hernia belt useless? No, it is suitable for the following patients: 1. For small babies up to half a year old, you can try the hernia belt. However, it must be used scientifically under the guidance of a doctor. Pay attention to observe the local adverse reactions in order to avoid the impact on the growth and development of the baby. It is not recommended to wear it for a long time. 2, for the elderly and frail, not expected to live a long life or patients with contraindications to surgery, hernia belt can reduce the symptoms, improve the quality of life and reduce the occurrence of complications; 3, for the hernia patients who can not be treated with surgery for the time being, such as hernia patients during pregnancy can prevent hernia protrusion, and to a certain extent, delay the development of hernia.