A hernia is a weakness in the abdominal wall through which abdominal contents can protrude. These weak points are often sites where vessels pass through, such as in the groin (inguinal) or at the belly button (umbilical). Previous operation sites may lead to a weakness causing an incisional hernia. Surgery is usually necessary to repair them.
Umbilical Hernia Treatment:
Large defects may be repaired by keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery although some need a small incision and a mesh or suture repair.
Inguinal Hernia Treatment:
This is a bulge through a weakness in the abdominal wall in the groin. Sometimes it can affect both groins (bilateral). The weakness may be present from birth leading to a predisposition to hernia formation in later life. In adults it can develop after heavy lifting or physical activity. The lump usually collapses (reduces) on lying flat and appears with standing, coughing or straining. Inguinal hernias can affect both sexes but are more common in men. They may enlarge and lead to discomfort which could limit daily activity. If the hernia becomes irreducible (can’t be pushed back) blockage of the bowel may occur leading to abdominal pain and vomiting. This needs immediate attention as the trapped bowel may lose its blood supply.
What happens during the Hernia Treatment operation?
A keyhole operation requires a general anaesthetic. A small 1 to 2 cm cut is made through the belly button allowing a camera to be placed inside. Carbon dioxide is used to distend the abdominal wall to give the surgeon a view of the operative field that is projected on to a television monitor. By using miniaturized instruments an area behind the hernia is dissected free. The mesh is rolled up, placed in to this pocket and then unraveled inside to cover the defect. The laparoscopic approach allows both groins to be inspected. If a clinically symptom less or occult defect is identified with the camera both sides can be repaired using the same instruments. The operation takes around 40 to 50 minutes to perform, similar to the conventional open operation.
What are the benefits of keyhole surgery?
Key hole surgery achieves a more rapid recovery and return to every day activity compared with conventional surgery. These open operations require a skin cut in the groin, division and splaying of the outer most muscle layer to create a space for the mesh to be placed. This damaged tissue needs time to heal. In addition the nerve supply to the groin runs through the field of dissection of open surgery and pain, both in the short and long term, are greater in open mesh repairs compared to the key hole operation.
Is Laparoscopic surgery suitable for everyone?
Keyhole surgery is not suitable for everyone and surgery is tailored to the individual. For example, keyhole surgery requires a general anaesthetic and there is a minority of people in whom this will not be safe and an open procedure under a local anaesthetic may be more suitable.
What happens before, during and after the Hernia Treatment?
Before the operation.
Stop smoking and weight reduction is beneficial. If you know that you have problems with your blood pressure, your heart, or your lungs, ask your family doctor to check that these are under control. Check that you have a relative or friend who can come with you to the hospital, take you home, and be around for the first day or so. You will not be required to shave the groin before surgery.
Your hospital stay
Although recovery time after keyhole surgery is shorter than conventional surgery there may still be some discomfort on moving and walking. Regular pain killing tablets for the first day or so usually suffice. You will be encouraged to mobilise early to prevent stiffness. Occasionally patients may experience difficulty passing urine especially if there is a background of prostate trouble and if a bilateral hernia is repaired. If you cannot achieve a good urine flow after 6 hours, contact the nurses or doctors. The small skin incisions are usually closed with a dissolvable stitch that melts away as the wounds heal. You may shower or bathe as soon as you wish and salted water is not needed. Patients are usually reviewed in the clinic a couple of weeks after their operation by which time most are back at work.
After care
Patients are able to resume most activities as comfort permits and progressively strenuous activity is encouraged. Drink plenty of fluids and fibre to avoid constipation. You may resume sexual activities as soon as this feels comfortable. You can resume driving as soon as you feel safe to perform an emergency stop, usually within one to two week of surgery. Please check with your insurance company as policies vary with different companies.
What complications can arise as a result of Hernia Treatment?
Complications are rare and seldom serious. Scrotal swelling is common immediately after surgery due to the carbon dioxide similarly the gas in the abdominal cavity can stretch the diaphragm and refer pain to the shoulder tip. Both of these resolve quickly and spontaneously. Difficulty passing urine postoperative is common and usually quickly resolves. Occasionally a tube into the bladder (a Catheter) is required as a temporary measure. Surgery may unmask an existing problem with the prostate that should have attention at some stage anyway. Bruising is common and resolves spontaneously. A tender lump may appear in the days after surgery, this may be a collection of fluid called a seroma that can easily be drained. Occasionally infection at the port sites may develop needing antibiotics. Longer term there is about a 1 to 4% chance the hernia may recur. Chronic groin pain occurs in a similar percentage although this is much less than encountered with the open conventional approach.
Key hole hernia surgery achieves a more rapid recovery and return to every day activity compared with conventional surgery. These open operations require a skin cut in the groin, division and splaying of the outer most muscle layer to create a space for the mesh to be placed. This damaged tissue needs time to heal. In addition the nerve supply to the groin runs through the field of dissection of open surgery and pain, both in the short and long term, are greater in open mesh repairs compared to the key hole operation.
Keyhole surgery is not suitable for everyone and hernia surgery is tailored to the individual. For example, keyhole hernia surgery requires a general anaesthetic and there is a minority of people in whom this will not be safe and an open procedure under a local anaesthetic may be more suitable.
A hernia most usually presents as a lump or swelling in the groin. The lump often disappears when lying and reappears on standing, coughing or straining. Occasionally pressure is needed to push the lump back and it may be associated with s gurgling or clicking sensation. A sense of dull ache may be reported. Often groin pain can be associated with a hernia in the absence of a palpable lump and a scan may be necessary for clarification.
A hernia is a blow out injury that occurs at a site of weakness in the abdominal wall leading to a protrusion of the lyning of the abdominal cavity called the peritoneum. This protrusion is akin to the inner tube of a bike wheel pushing through a hole or weakness in the tyre wall. creating a bulge. Areas of weakness include the groin (inguinal hernia), the belly button (umbilical hernia) and separation of a surgical wound (incisional hernia). The weakness can be compounded by those who partake in heavy lifting, in the elderly, in obese people and those with certain medical conditions.