Hernia Repair Overview

You’ll be considered for a hernia repair surgery if visceral tissues constituting internal organs like the brain, groin or abdomen become herniated. Herniation of the viscera including the abdomen, intestines, heart, and lungs cause these organs to become bulged or swollen, forcing them to protuberate through the walls sheathing them. Two of the most predominating kinds of a hernia is an inguinal hernia (involves the groin) and umbilical hernia (entails the umbilical cord).

Surgical intervention becomes indispensable to prevent or allay unwarranted complications shortly as a hernia usually tends to grow bigger with the passage of time. Hernia surgery is a simple procedure is conducted as an outpatient mode, doing away with the need to stay in the hospital.

Types

Regardless of whether your hernia is diagnosed as reducible, irreducible or strangulated, you could opt for either of the two broad types of hernia repair surgery: “genioplasty’ and :”herniorrhaphy”. Herniorrhaphy is the conventional mode of correcting or repairing a hernia.

The surgeon creates a large incision over the area surrounding the bulging tissues or organ. Then, he does away with the protuberance so that he can put the displaced organ back to its original position. At last, the opening is sutured and disinfected to keep infection at bay.

The surgical procedure of hernioplasty is nearly identical to herniorrhaphy with the exception that the surgeon instead of ligaturing the notch, places a sterilized mesh. Hernioplasty or herniorrhaphy can be done as open surgery or laparoscopically.

What Should You Keep in Mind?

You’ll be eager to go back to leading a normal life once the surgery has been carried out effectively. Do not be alarmed on seeing the IV tube and the bandages or dressings encasing the incisions after you starting gaining consciousness following the surgery. Nursing assistants and hospital staff will be there by your bedside to offer you any help you need.

The faster you’re able to eat, drink, and walk around on your own, the sooner will you be discharged. Additionally, you’ll need to urinate to be considered for an early discharge. Finally, the doctor will let you go home, if and only if there is someone to take you home.

Since you’ll not be in a position to return to a normal lifestyle at least for the first two weeks, it’ll be better if you’ve someone who can take good care of you. Your surgeon will specify the instructions you’ll have to abide by in the days to come, in your discharge note. The doctor will also make you aware of the guidelines verbally which will usually pertain to cleaning and dressing the incisions, the medications you will have to take, the symptoms to look out for, and so on.

You’ll be given a contact number or helpline number in case you need to report a symptom or clarify an issue. You’ll become tired quickly in the first couple of weeks after the surgery but may recuperate completely within 3-6 weeks. You’ll have to amble around frequent to boost circulation which in turn will expedite healing.

You’ll have to keep the openings thoroughly dry so you may have to wait for 3-4 days before you can start showering. Since you’ll be physically weak, you’ll have to stick to a diet rich in fibers as well as take fresh fruits, vegetables and fluids to stay energetic. Pain medications and stress resulting from remaining idle could cause constipation. You can take a laxative to deal with it but only if the doctor allows it.

Concluding Remarks

If your hernia is mild, you may or may not have symptoms. You may be able to live with a herniated organ for a long period, but you never know when the herniation might aggravate leading to grave complications. Hence, it is better to go for repair surgery to stay on the safe side and for complete peace of mind.

Schedule an appointment with us to know more about the advanced forms of treatments that can aid in treating such cases.

References

• https://www.highgatehospital.co.uk/things-you-need-to-know-hernia-operation/
• https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/need-surgery-hernia#1
• http://columbiasurgery.org/news/2014/04/15/hernias-what-you-need-know
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hernia_repair
• https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/6905-laparoscopic-surgery-for-hernia-repair/risks–benefits
• http://www.medtronic.com/us-en/patients/treatments-therapies/hernia-surgery/about-recovery.html
• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319753.php