Hernias are a result of a section of the abdominal wall becoming weak, which allows portions of the nearby fatty tissue or parts of the intestines to push through, creating a noticeable bulge. Laparoscopic hernia repair uses small incisions and specially designed instruments to repair the affected area of the abdomen. This procedure does carry with it the small risk of certain complications.
Bleeding and Infection
Bleeding and infection are two potential complications that can result from any type of surgery, including laparoscopic hernia repair, according to the Comprehensive Center for Laparoscopic Surgery. Bleeding can occur if blood vessels, particularly arteries, are damaged during the course of the operation. Infections, on the other hand, can result from contamination of the surgical site during the procedure. Both complications are less common with laparoscopic repair because the procedure uses smaller incisions, which reduces the risk of infection and blood vessel damage.
Organ and Tissue Damage
Patients who are receiving laparoscopic repair of a hernia may also experience damage to tissues and organs near the surgical site, John Muir Health explains. This is usually a result of inadvertent damage which can occur during the procedure. The location of the hernia determines, in part, what tissues may be damaged. Abdominal hernia repair can result in damage to the bladder and to the intestines. Repairing a inguinal hernia can result in damage to the spermatic tubes or to nerves which supply sensation to the groin. This can result in infertility and erectile dysfunction. Damaged nerves are of special concern because nerve damage is difficult to repair and may be permanent.
Urinary Difficulty
Patients who have undergone a laparoscopic repair of a hernia often have problems urinating, the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons explains. This usually resolves after one week, though patients may need a temporary catheter to be placed into the bladder during this time to allow urine to be eliminated from the body.
Recurrence
After a hernia has been repaired, there is always the chance that it will come back. This is because the repaired area will always be somewhat weaker than normal, which can allow the surrounding organs and tissue to push through the abdominal wall at that site. The long-term rate of recurrence after this type of surgery is not known.
