About 5 million Americans have a hernia, but only 15 percent of the people who are affected seek treatment each year, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Surgery is the only medically accepted treatment option for individuals with a hernia. With the advances in medicine and surgical options, hernia repair surgery is most often an outpatient procedure with a relatively short recovery time.
Types of Hernias
Several types of hernias exist, such as umbilical, incisional, inguinal and hiatal, depending on the site of the hole or area of weakness. The most common is an inguinal hernia, which occurs in the groin area. Hernias can develop in any person at any age. Some individuals are born with a weak abdominal wall, making them more susceptible to hernias. However, certain risk factors increase the chance of developing a hernia, such as obesity, persistent coughing or sneezing, heavy lifting and pregnancy, according to MedlinePlus.
Open Approach
Surgeons can use any of several approaches to repair a hernia, according to LapSurg.org, an information website produced by a White Plains, New York, surgical practice. However, in general, they all follow the same basic procedure. This approach involves making a single, large incision in the skin to expose the hole or area of weakness in the abdominal wall. The surgeon pushes back the bulging internal organs before closing the hole with a combination of sutures and a plastic mesh. The plastic mesh acts as a patch and is permanently incorporated into the local structures of the region. This adds additional support to the abdominal wall to prevent future hernias from developing.
Laparoscopic Hernia Repair
The laparoscopic approach to hernia repair is becoming a more common approach to reduce postoperative pain and shorten recovery time. In this procedure, several tiny incisions are made in the skin, through which small tubes can be inserted into the abdominal cavity. One tube contains a tiny video camera lens which acts as an eye for the surgeon by projecting images on a television screen. Carbon dioxide gas is also pumped into the stomach to open the abdominal cavity and provide a better view for the surgeon. As is done in the open approach, any bulging tissue is pushed back and the hole is repaired with sutures and a plastic mesh patch.
Before and After Surgery
Most insurance plans will cover hernia repair surgery, but it is important to verify insurance coverage before a surgery is scheduled. The night before, individuals are instructed not to eat or drink anything after midnight and a doctor will advise the patient whether normal daily medications should be taken. At the surgery center, an anesthesiologist will prepare and administer the anesthesia medications to put the patient to sleep so the surgeon can operate. After the procedure, patients are monitored until cleared to go home the same day. Pain and soreness generally occur within the next 24 to 48 hours and a doctor will prescribe medications to relieve pain, according to LapSurg.org. Most individuals can return to normal activities, such as walking, driving, light household activities, in a relatively short amount of time.
Risks
Risks are always associated with surgical procedures such as infection, bleeding and adverse reactions to the anesthesia medications. There is also a chance that internal organs, such as the bowel, may be damaged during the surgical procedure. After the surgery, call a doctor if symptoms arise such as a fever or chills, incision drainage, persistent nausea or vomiting and an inability to urinate. Recovery time varies from person to person, but individuals experiencing prolonged soreness greater than two weeks should see a doctor, according to LapSurg.com.
