Is laparoscopic suregry for inguinal hernia safe?
Yes, laparoscopic hernia surgery for inguinal hernia is an extremely safe process. The surgery is performed under the influence of anesthesia which makes it a painless process. Complications and side effects like infection and bleeding are very rare with laparoscopic hernia surgery. There is also a very low risk of any damage or injury to the blood vessels, the urinary bladder or any tissues nearby the surgical site.
Since there are no major complications in the process, most patients can go home the same day after laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery. The patient can resume work within two days after the surgery. But complete recovery takes almost a week depending on what mesh has been used in the hernia repair and what was the type of hernia that was treated in the process.
How to prepare for hernia surgery?
Preparation for hernia surgery does not require any special measures. But there a few things that the surgeon will recommend you to follow before the hernia surgery. The surgeon may advise the patient to lose weight to prevent any risk during the surgery. The patient will also be advised to stop smoking before the surgery for effective results. In case the patient is diabetic, controlling the sugar level is important. Before the surgery, the patient would be recommended to undergo urine tests, blood tests, a chest x-ray, and an electrocardiogram to confirm if all the organs are functioning well. A night before the surgery, the patient should stop eating or drinking anything.
Post-operative care after laparoscopic hernia surgery
After laparoscopic hernia surgery, the patient will be kept under observation for a few hours. The surgeon will monitor the patient's blood pressure, pulse rate, body temperature, and swelling in the surgical site if any. The patient is discharged within 48 hours. In case there are any complications such as bleeding, swelling or suture-pain (which are very rare to occur), the patient can be kept under observation for a longer time. The patient, in that case, will be given antibiotics or post-operative pain-medications.
The patient should take care that the surgical site is kept clean. In case of fever and abdominal pain post-inguinal surgery, the patients should report the same to the doctor. Until complete recovery, the patient should refrain from indulging in any strenuous activities or lifting any heavy weights.
Risks and complications of laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery?
There are seldom any long-term complications that occur after laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery. But, on rare occasions, a patient may report the following complications:
- Urinary tract injury
- Recurrence of the hernia
- Testicular complications
- Pain due to the mesh
- Intestinal injury
- Postoperative bleeding
- Fluid build-up at the site of the mesh
Complications and recurrence are much more in open hernia repair than in laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery.
Do's and don'ts for quick recovery after laparoscopic hernia surgery
Here are some of the common recommendations that patients should follow to recover quickly and prevent any infection after laparoscopic hernia surgery.
- Rest when you feel any pain in the abdomen.
- Do not shower immediately after the surgery. Wait for at least 48 hours.
- Do not lift any heavy weights until you completely recover.
- You may consume a normal diet, but make sure to avoid any spicy or oily food for the next few days.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Do not strain while passing bowel movements.
- If you wash the surgical area, make sure to pat it dry to prevent any kind of infection.
What is a hernia mesh? What types of hernia can be treated with hernia mesh?
A hernia mesh is a medical device that provides saupport to the weakened tissues caused by the hernia. A hernia mesh is placed in the surgical site to prevent the recurrence of hernia. The surgeon treating a hernia should be extremely careful while placing the mesh as a detective hernia mesh can lead to further complications for the patient.
A hernia mesh can be used to treat the follwoing conditions:
- Inguinal hernia
- Umbilical hernia
- Femoral hernia
- Hiatal hernia
- Incisional hernia
- Epigastric hernia
- Ventral hernia
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