Laparoscopic Umbilical Hernia Repair Surgery

Pristyn Care understands that whether an umbilical hernia is present in a child or an adult, it can be very painful. Thus, we provide advanced treatment for umbilical hernia using the laparoscopic technique. This modern approach is beneficial for the patient in all aspects. We perform the surgery at our partnered hospitals that have state-of-the-art facilities and USFDA-approved diagnostic and surgical tools. 

We have an in-house team of general and laparoscopic surgeons who have more than 10 years of experience. They are well-trained and skilled in performing all types of hernia repair surgery. You can rely on our umbilical hernia experts to get proper treatment. To consult them, you can book a free consultation with us. 

Diagnosis 

An expert doctor can identify an umbilical hernia through a physical examination. He/she will ask you to cough while sitting, standing, and lying down to check the bulge. 

The doctor will also ask for your medical history to narrow down the exact cause of the umbilical hernia. 

The following tests will be recommended to identify the severity of the umbilical hernia and to determine the most appropriate path to perform the surgery. 

• Abdominal ultrasound is performed for a complete assessment of the condition and its severity. 
• CT scan is performed to create a clear image of the internal organs and to distinguish the bulging tissues and abdominal tissues. 
• MRI scan is used to narrow down the safest path for surgical repair. 

Based on the results of these imaging tests, the doctor will determine which technique is safer and more effective for umbilical hernia treatment. 

Procedure 

Once everything is ready, you will be taken to the operation theater (OT) and anesthesia will be given to numb the surgical site. The type of anesthesia is chosen based on the technique decided for umbilical hernia repair, either open or laparoscopic. General anesthesia is used when laparoscopic hernia repair is being performed, and local/regional anesthesia is used for open repair. 

As soon as the anesthesia takes effect, the following steps are carried out- 

• Incisions are made around the abdomen to access the internal organs. In open repair, there will be a large size incision. But in laparoscopic repair, small keyhole-sized incisions are made to insert the surgical tools.
• The herniated tissues or bulge portions are pushed back to the original location, and the hole is closed with or without the help of mesh. Either the sides of the hole are stitched together, or mesh is placed over the tissues for support. 
• After the muscle repair is done, the incisions are closed with the help of stitches, surgical glue, or staples. 

Shortly, you will be transferred to the observation room until the anesthesia wears off, and then you’ll be moved back to the ward. 

All hernia surgeries have somewhat similar complications during the procedure. It includes-

• Reaction to anesthesia
• Damage to the nerves, blood vessels, and muscles
• Bleeding
• Infection

In addition, there are also some risks of getting post-surgery complications until the recovery is complete. The potential complications are-

• Mesh infection
• Pain in the wound or stitches
• Fluid accumulation or seroma
• Blood accumulation or hematoma
• Wound infection
• Urinary retention
• Recurrence

To even reduce the chances of these complications, the doctor will create a detailed plan that will contain detailed instructions for a faster and smoother recovery.

To prepare for umbilical hernia surgery, follow the steps below- 

• Avoid eating or drinking anything at least 6-8 hours before the surgery. 
• Provide a list of medicine to the doctor so that he/she can make the necessary adjustments to prepare the body for surgery. 
• The anesthetist will ask a series of questions to analyze which anesthesia will be appropriate to use during the procedure. 
• The doctor will ask to stop taking aspirin, blood thinners, anti-inflammatory medicines, etc., for at least a week before the surgery as they increase the potential risk of bleeding. 
• Get a full-body checkup to eliminate the risk of any underlying condition that can compromise the outcome or success rate of the surgical repair. 
• Take a shower and wear loose and comfortable clothes before being admitted to the hospital. 
• Ask a friend or family member to stay with you. 

Immediately after the surgery, you will feel slightly disoriented. There will be numbness in the surgical site, and IV fluids & pain medications will be given to you. 

When hernia surgery is done electively without complications, the patient is generally discharged on the same day. However, if there are complications associated with the treatment, the doctor may suggest at least one day of hospitalization. 

Before you are discharged, the doctor will also create a recovery plan, including diet, physical restrictions, etc. 

Pristyn Care uses the laparoscopic technique for umbilical hernia repair as it is beneficial in the following aspects- 

• The procedure involves very small incisions, i.e., keyhole-sized incisions, making the surgery minimally invasive. 
• As limited skin tissue is cut, the scarring after the surgery is also minimal. 
• The chances of bleeding and infection are also less than in open surgery. 
• Laparoscopic hernia repair doesn’t require prolonged hospitalization. Thus, the patient gets discharged on the same day. 
• The recovery is quick, and there are minimal chances of post-surgery complications. 
• The patient can resume normal activities sooner as there won’t be a large external wound that would interfere with the regular tasks.