What to Expect When You Need a Hernia Repair
February 22, 2022 1:44 pm
What to Expect When You Need a Hernia Repair
More than 1 million hernia repair procedures take place in the U.S. each year. Of that million, around 800,000 of the procedures will be for an inguinal hernia. If you’ve been diagnosed with an inguinal hernia, what should you know about this procedure?
Let’s first break down the basics—an inguinal hernia is a hernia that occurs in the groin area, causing the intestines or other abdominal tissue to bulge out through the lower abdominal wall.
This type of hernia is very common, particularly among men. More than one-fourth of American men will experience an inguinal hernia at some point.
While inguinal hernias don’t always require immediate surgery, an operation will eventually be needed to repair the hernia. Here’s what to expect from a hernia repair.
What Happens During a Hernia Repair
When you have an inguinal hernia, the intestine bulges out into your abdomen. While it depends on the severity of the hernia, this bulge is often quite noticeable and can be uncomfortable.
In mild cases without discomfort, “watchful waiting” may be recommended in lieu of hernia repair. But according to research from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, around 70% of people who delay surgery will develop worsening symptoms within five years, requiring hernia repair.
During a hernia repair procedure, the surgeon will move the intestines back into place, and then stitch up the abdominal wall, typically with mesh. The mesh used to strengthen the abdominal wall is intended to be permanent, though it may eventually require replacement.
The Types of Hernia Repair
Hernia repair can be done through an open procedure, a laparoscopic procedure or a robotic-assisted procedure.
In an open procedure, a surgeon will make an incision through either the groin or the lower abdomen, cutting down through the skin to the muscular level. The open surgical procedure is performed from the outside of the body. The surgeon will move the protruding intestine back into place, strengthening the abdominal wall.
In a laparoscopic or robotic procedure, on the other hand, the surgeon will perform the hernia repair from the inside of the body. During this type of minimally invasive procedure, the surgeon makes tiny incisions and uses small instruments to move herniated tissue and reinforce the abdominal wall from the interior of the body. During the operation, a tiny camera threaded through one of the incisions lets your surgeon see inside your body.
If you need hernia repair, your medical provider can recommend the best surgical option for your needs. While minimally invasive procedures offer many benefits, including smaller incisions, less risk of complications and reduced bleeding, they are not an appropriate option for every patient.
Individual recovery time will depend on the specific type of hernia repair you undergo, but most patients are back on their feet within a day. Hernia repair is typically performed on an outpatient basis, and your medical team will provide you with guidance about how quickly you can return to normal activities post-surgery.
If you or a loved one needs to have a surgical procedure performed, you can rely on the surgical expertise at Magnolia Regional Health Center. Request an appointment today.
Tags: general surgery, hernia, hernia repair, inguinal hernia
This post was written by Magnolia Regional Health Center