Hernia surgery is a procedure in which a hernia, or intestinal protrusion, is replaced within the abdominal cavity. There are two major forms of hernia surgery: open surgery and laparoscopic or minimally-invasive surgery. A doctor should review the potential complications with a hernia surgery with all patients prior to surgical treatment.
Bladder or Intestinal Injury
Patients who undergo hernia surgery can experience damage to the organs that surround the surgical site. This complication of a hernia surgery can include bladder or intestinal injury, the Ohio State University Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery reports. Patients who sustain bladder damage can develop urination complications following a hernia surgery. Urinary problems can include urinary retention, a condition in which small amounts of urine abnormally remain within the bladder, and urinary tract infection. These bladder complications with a hernia surgery may require placement of a catheter within the bladder to drain excess urine from this organ or treatment with an antibiotic to resolve bladder infection symptoms.
Intestinal injury can lead to bowel movement complications in patients who have hernia surgery. Damage to the intestinal tract leads to inflammation, which can interfere with the way digested food products progress along this organ. Consequently, patients can experience constipation, a condition that result in painful or unproductive bowel movements. A doctor may recommend that affected patients temporarily use a laxative or stool softening medication to alleviate constipation complications with a hernia surgery.
Bleeding or Infection
Hernia surgery elevates a patient's risk of developing bleeding or infection complications, the Connecticut Surgical Group warns. Such complications are rare, though affected patients require prompt medical intervention to address bleeding or infection problems. Profuse internal or incision site bleeding due to hernia surgery may require patient's to have a blood transfusion or additional surgery to locate and repair the site of bleeding. Infection complications, such as increased pain, incision site drainage or fever, can necessitate antibiotic treatment to resolve symptoms.
Testicular Complications
Infrequently, male patients who have hernia surgery can experience testicular complications, the World Laparoscopic Hospital explains. The van deferens, a thin tube that transports semen from the testes through the penis, can be injured during hernia surgery. Testicular degradation or atrophy may also occur as a complication following hernia surgery. Men should discuss these complications with a doctor if they develop.
Hernia Recurrence
In certain patients, the treated hernia can reappear after hernia surgery, the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons warns. Patients who experience hernia recurrence may require additional surgery to address this complication.
References
- Connecticut Surgical Group: Health Information Sheet
- Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons: Patient Information for Laparoscopic Ventral Hernia Repair
- The Ohio State University Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery: Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair
- World Laparoscopic Hospital: Complications of Laparoscopic Hernia Repair
- Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center: Minimally-Invasive Hernia Repair
