Laparoscopic Hernia Repair

EASING FEARS: Doctor says there's no reason to live with hernia pain

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, approximately five million Americans are living with a hernia. The ailment occurs when an organ or fatty tissue pushes through a tear along the abdominal wall anywhere from a person’s rib cage to their groin. Each year, less than 20 percent of those afflicted seek treatment because they fear invasive surgery followed by a prolonged recovery. Hermenegildo said most hernia surgeries can be performed laparoscopically. Two to four small incisions are made in the abdomen so that instruments and a camera can be inserted. The abdomen is inflated with gas to give the surgeon space to work inside the patient. The torn portion of the abdominal wall is repaired with a synthetic mesh which prevents the hernia from poking through the weakened area.   Using the laparoscopic technique, the recovery time is relatively quick. The entire surgery takes approximately four hours, after which the patient is sent home. They are allowed to drive within a couple of days and are encouraged to climb stairs as part of the rehabilitation process. Roughly two weeks after the surgery, the patient is able to return to his normal routine.   There are a number of factors that can lead to a hernia, including lifting something improperly, coughing, obesity, constipation and malnutrition. The incision from a prior surgery can weaken the abdominal wall, leading to a hernia.  “Use proper technique when lifting,” said Hermenegildo. “Get help when you can. If you cough from smoking, quit smoking. One little coughing fit can give you a hernia. It’s hard to avoid because there are so many causes to hernias.” The symptoms include a burning sensation in the affected area. A person can go months, sometimes years without getting a hernia treated as long as they can tolerate the pain. It will not heal on its own and the only method for repairing a hernia is surgery. When a hernia becomes strangulated, the blood supply is cut off and emergency surgery is required.

Laparoscopic Hernia Repair: What is it, and is it the Right ...

Author: Michael A. Zadeh, M.D.

So you’ve been diagnosed with a hernia, and your physician has recommended you undergo surgical repair before you start experiencing any potentially serious problems which may arise if your hernia is left untreated. Approximately 600,000 people undergo hernia repairs each year in the United States. Most of these are performed using an “open” approach which provides direct external access to the hernia defect through a single skin incision. Recently, an increasing number of patients have been undergoing Laparoscopic Hernia Repairs . This minimally invasive technique of hernia repair offers several advantages for proper candidates. Perhaps you may be an appropriate candidate for a Laparoscopic Hernia Repair.