Hernioplasty, or hernia surgery dangers vary based on the type of surgery performed. Hernias occur when an internal organ pushes through a weak muscle area, resulting in a protruding bulge. About 75 percent of all hernias are inguinal, located in the abdominal wall of the groin, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. In the United States, surgeons perform about 600,000 hernia repair surgeries annually. Hernia surgery can be open, when a surgeon makes one large incision near the hernia site, or laparoscopic, when the surgeon makes several small incisions and uses a tiny camera to perform the operation.
Typical Dangers
Certain dangers are inherent in any type of surgery, including hernia surgery. A patient may have an adverse reaction to the type of anesthesia used during surgery. The stress of the surgery can result in bleeding or cardiac problems. Patients are also at risk of developing an infection as a result of the surgery.
Nerve Damage
With inguinal open surgery, there is 10 to 20 percent change of damage to the ilioinguinal nerve, a nerve that stretches from the spine, toward the abdomen, down the groin and to the inner thigh, according to the 2006 "Textbook of Surgery." Damage to the nerve can cause chronic pain and numbness in the groin and thigh area. With laparoscopic surgery, there is a potential danger to the lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh, a nerve that divides the front and back of the thigh.
Testicular Atrophy
Testicular ischaemia, an interruption of the blood supply, happens in 1 to 5 percent of male hernia surgery cases, "Textbook of Surgery" notes. This can happen as the surgeon is dissecting a portion of the hernia that is located very close to the testicular artery. Testicular ischaemia can result in testicular atrophy, or diminishing of the male reproductive organs, pain and swelling in the groin area.
Recurrence
Recurrence within five years is a potential hernia surgery danger. In "Textbook of Surgery," Dr. Joe Tjandra writes that hernia recurrence is often due to the technique and expertise of the surgeon as well as failing to resolve any predisposition to hernias that a patient may have. In the April 2004 issue of the "New England Journal of Medicine", Dr. Leigh Neumayer writes that hernia recurrence is more common with laparoscopic hernia surgeries, 10.1 percent, than with open surgeries, 4.9 percent.
References
- National Center for Biotechnology Information: Surgical Treatment
- Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons: Patient Information
- "Textbook of Surgery"; Joe J. Tjandra; M.D., F.R.A.C.S.; January 2006
- "New England Journal of Medicine"; Open Mesh Versus Laparoscopic Mesh Repair of Inguinal Hernia; Leigh Neumayer, M.D.; April 2004
- "The American Journal of Surgery"; Factors associated with postoperative complications and hernia recurrence; Richard D. Matthews, M.D.; November 2007
