Hernia Surgery Risks

Hernia is one of the most common conditions that may occur in any person, be it an adult male, female or even a kid. It is a condition wherein the abdominal muscle wall of a person becomes weak thereby allowing the content of the abdomen to intrude in it and create a sort of protrusion. If it is the part of the intestine that protrudes from the weak point of the abdominal wall, then it is known as inguinal hernia. The condition wherein a part of your stomach pushes upwards through the hiatus in the diaphragm is known as hiatal hernia. Another type of hernia is the umbilical hernia which usually occurs in infants. This occurs when a part of the intestine protrudes from the weak point in the abdominal wall. And last but not the least, the next on the list is the inguinal hernia, which is the protrusion of the intestine creating a bulge in the area near your pubic bone. Be it any kind of hernia, the treatment options consists of medications and / or surgery. Your doctor would advice you to go for a hernia surgery only if the hernia is bothering you way too much with the pain and discomfort. Otherwise, if you choose, you can also take medications instead of going in for a surgery if the hernia isn't giving you much problem. Although, considering the fact that you are looking for the risks involved in the surgery, I assume that you have already made your choice.

Risks Involved in a Hernia Surgery

Well, like any other surgery, even a hernia surgery involves certain risks and complications. I mean if you are putting your body under the knife and changes are being made to it, naturally, there would be certain risk factors as well, right? Therefore it is always advisable to go for a surgeon who can be trusted in terms of experience and practical understanding when it comes to the treatment and surgery. There are two main approaches when it comes to performing a hernia surgery. Your doctor may either go for a laparoscopic surgery or a herniorrhaphy (open hernia repair surgery). In a laparoscopy, the surgeon will insert a tube with cameras attached into your abdomen through one among the various small incisions made in the area. From the other incisions, the surgeon will insert miniature instruments to perform the surgery. The camera helps the surgeon figure the exact location and the condition and operation is done with the help of the video camera as a guide. The surgeon uses a synthetic mesh in order to repair the hernia and to provide support to the weakened abdominal wall.

On the other hand, when it comes to an open hernia repair instead of making several small incisions, as in a laparoscopic surgery, a single incision is made which is very large. This surgery is done by opening the abdominal wall and putting the hernia back into the correct place. Even in this approach, doctors use hernioplasty, which is using the synthetic mesh. However, the kind of surgical approach depends upon your individual condition. Therefore, you must consult with your doctor regarding your individual case.

Complications involved in Hernia Surgery

No matter what type of surgery you go for, the risks and complications would be more or less the same. These are discussed as under.

• Swelling and Bruising: This is the most common complication that can occur after the surgery is performed. The swelling and bruising seems to be more when it comes to larger hernias, but vanishes within a few days as the wound heals.
• Pain and Discomfort: Another among the most common complications that may occur post surgery is discomfort and pain, the severity of which may vary from person to person. This also diminishes within a few days as the site heals.
• Recurrence of the Hernia: Although the chances are relatively rare, but then one of the risk factors involved is for the hernia to re-occur.
• Infection: An infection may also occur internally due to various reasons including, drug reaction, anesthesia, infection due to incision and so on.
• Bleeding: Although the chances are very rare, but the surgery may lead to internal bleeding, blood clots and hematomas.
• Fluid Retention: Fluid retention, also known as seroma, is a temporary condition wherein the body may retain fluid in the operated site.
• Internal Injury: To err is human and this may lead to injury in the intestines and other organs, which is why you must go to an experienced surgeon so that you have lesser chances of getting an internal injury from a 'human error'.
• Other Risks: In addition to the above mentioned risks there are some more associated with the hernia surgery.
  • Gas bloating
  • Temporary inability to pass urine
  • Pain when swallowing
  • If you have health issues like diabetes and heart problem, then you have higher chances of suffering from surgery related complications
  • Lung problems may occur due to shallow breathing and lack of mobility

Hernia surgery is a safer procedure now as compared to a few years ago. And with proper counseling and an experienced surgeon in the area, there is probably nothing much to worry about. However, it is good to speak to your surgeon about how you should prepare for the surgery, the hernia surgery recovery time, and how the risks and complications can be minimized. Take care and have a safe tomorrow.