Laparoscopic Femoral Hernia Surgery in Bangalore

Overview

Hernia is a common medical condition that is caused by an organ or tissue protruding through a weakened portion of the muscle wall. Hernias can occur anywhere in your body, including the umbilicus (belly button), stomach, chest, inguinal area, and groin. 

Hernia that develops in your groin area or inner thigh is known as a femoral hernia, which is more commonly seen in females. Though rare, small, and asymptomatic, femoral hernias may need to be treated with surgery when they get moderate to large in size and start causing discomfort.

Laparoscopic femoral hernia repair is now becoming one of the most sought-after treatment modalities for femoral hernia. Let’s learn more about femoral hernia and this surgical technique in this article. 

What is a Femoral Hernia?

A femoral hernia is a protrusion of the intestinal tissue through a weak spot near the groin in the upper part of your thigh. It is called so because the hernia occurs in a weak spot in the femoral canal, a passageway in the groin through which femoral structures exit from the abdomen into the upper thigh. It is usually caused by straining of the intra-abdominal muscles, which increases the pressure within and allows the organs to push through them, causing a prominent bulge or protrusion.

A femoral hernia may be a painless and harmless bulge initially but could eventually enlarge in size and get infected. The reason behind developing a femoral hernia can be different from case to case. This weakness of the femoral canal could be inherited (passed down through generations), congenital (present at birth), or developed due to straining that may weaken the muscle walls. 

Risk factors that contribute to increased straining include obesity (being overweight), chronic (long-lasting) constipation and cough, multiple pregnancies, or regular lifting of heavy objects.

Small to moderate femoral hernias may not cause any symptoms. Large femoral hernias may cause some discomfort and present as a bulge in the groin area near the upper thigh. The bulging may cause pain when you stand up, lift heavy objects, or strain. Severe symptoms of a femoral hernia include severe pain or discomfort, redness or swelling around the hernia site, nausea and vomiting, and bowel obstruction.

How is a Femoral Hernia treated?

Femoral hernias that are small and asymptomatic (without any symptoms) may not require any immediate treatment. However, your doctor will advise you to monitor the lump periodically to see if the symptoms are progressing, and to take action accordingly.

Moderate-to-large femoral hernias that cause pain and discomfort require surgical repair through an open approach or laparoscopy. It is advisable to seek prompt treatment for femoral hernias because if left untreated, it may lead to complications such as obstruction (a section of the bowel becomes stuck in the femoral canal) and strangulation (a section of the bowel becomes trapped and its blood supply is cut off).

A femoral hernia can be treated surgically through an open repair or a laparoscopic approach. 

Open Femoral Hernia Repair Surgery: An open or traditional femoral hernia repair surgery is an invasive procedure involving a large incision. A single, large (3 to 4 cm long) incision is made near the groin to gain access to the hernia. The femoral canal is opened and the protruding intestinal tissue is pushed back into place. A mesh plug may be applied to repair the weak spot and close the femoral canal. The incision is finally closed with stitches. 

Laparoscopic Femoral Hernia Repair Surgery: Laparoscopic femoral hernia repair surgery is a minimally invasive procedure to treat femoral hernias. It involves making a few small keyhole-sized incisions (hence referred to as keyhole surgery) in the area to access the hernia. This method makes use of a laparoscope and other small surgical instruments to repair the hernia. 

Let’s find out more about laparoscopic femoral hernia repair. 

What is Laparoscopic Femoral Hernia Repair?

Laparoscopic femoral hernia repair is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to treat femoral hernias with the help of a laparoscope. A laparoscope is a long, thin tube with a camera and light source at one end which is inserted into a patient’s body. This device transmits live images to a monitor during the procedure. These images help your surgeon get a clear internal view of the hernia and thus will help perform the surgery efficiently. 

In a laparoscopic femoral hernia repair, the surgeon makes 3 to 5 small incisions in the groin and lower belly and inserts a laparoscope through one of the incisions. After accessing and viewing the femoral hernia on a monitor, surgical tools are inserted through the other small incisions to perform the repair. The herniated tissue is pulled back into place and a piece of mesh is used to close and strengthen the abdominal wall. The laparoscope and surgical tools are removed and the incisions are closed with the help of stitches.

How Does Laparoscopic Femoral Hernia Repair Surgery Work?

Before the Procedure:

• Before making a decision to go ahead with the surgery, it is advisable to discuss the procedure at length with the surgeon, including its benefits and risks. Make sure you clarify your expectations from the procedure and any doubts that you may have. 
• Your surgeon will conduct a physical examination of the bulge and may suggest some diagnostic tests like blood analysis, or imaging tests such as an ultrasound or a CT (Computed Tomography) scan.
• Your surgeon will review your medical history to rule out chronic conditions such as diabetes (increased blood sugar levels), hypertension (high blood pressure), and other disorders that may interfere with the success of the surgery
• You should inform your surgeon about any current medications, known allergies, previous surgeries, or accidents in the past. 
• You will be advised to stop certain medications such as blood thinners and other herbal supplements that may delay wound healing and cause bleeding during and after the surgery.
• You will be clearly instructed by your doctor about the fasting requirements and the substances to be avoided before the surgery.
• Make sure you arrange for someone to drive you home from the hospital after the procedure and also for assistance as you recover.

During the Procedure:

• You will be sent to the operating room and given a surgical gown to wear. 
• Laparoscopic femoral hernia repair surgery is an outpatient procedure; you will be sent back home on the same day.
• Before starting with the procedure, you will be asked to lie back on the operating table and general anesthesia will be administered. This will put you to sleep and make the procedure painless.
• Your lower abdomen and groin area will be cleaned with an antiseptic solution.
• Your doctor will make 3-5 small incisions of a keyhole size in the lower belly area or groin area. Your doctor will insert a laparoscope through one of the incisions. 
• To provide the surgeon with a clear view, and to inflate the abdomen, the abdominal cavity is inflated with carbon dioxide gas. 
• Now that the surgeon is able to see inside the belly and locate the hernia with the help of the laparoscope, specialized surgical tools are inserted through the other incisions. 
• With the help of these tools, the surgeon separates the herniated tissue from the other abdominal tissues and pushes the protruding tissues back to their normal position. 
• The surgeon also repairs the weakened portion of the abdominal muscle wall with stitches.
• A synthetic mesh may also be sewn into the abdominal muscle wall to improve its strength and prevent the recurrence of the hernia.
• The laparoscope and other surgical tools are removed from the body. 
• Finally, the incision is closed with the help of sutures and a sterile dressing.

After the Procedure:

• After the procedure is complete, you will be sent to a recovery room. Your vitals will be monitored while you wake up from the anesthesia. 
• You will be sent home once you are stable enough with prescribed medications and post-surgery care instructions. 
• Most people get to go home on the same day. In a few cases, you may be asked to stay in the hospital for a day or two.
• You can expect mild pain and discomfort immediately after the surgery and for a few days, which is normal and can be managed through pain medications. 
• Bruising, swelling, and abdominal bloating may be present for some hours and will eventually heal.
• You will be given only clear liquids for the next 24 to 36 hours post-surgery and slowly advance to fiber-rich foods. This diet will prevent constipation from developing during the recovery period.
• You will receive a clear set of instructions from your doctor on taking care of your incisions. It is advised that you keep your surgical dressing clean and dry and shower after 1 or 2 days of the surgery. The moisture trapped inside the dressing can cause infection.
• Avoid driving for 1 to 2 weeks after surgery. Consult your doctor before you resume driving.
• You should be able to return to a normal routine and to work within 2 or 3 weeks.
• Your doctor will ask you to avoid strenuous exercises such as lifting heavy objects, climbing stairs, or jogging for at least 4 to 6 weeks. 
• Complete recovery usually takes around 4 to 6 weeks.

What are the Benefits Associated with Laparoscopic Femoral Hernia Repair?

The benefits associated with the laparoscopic femoral hernia repair include:

• Smaller incisions and lesser scarring
• Less risk of infection
• Reduced pain
• Shorter hospital stay
• Faster recovery
• Risk of fewer complications

What are the Risks Associated with Laparoscopic Femoral Hernia Repair?

The possible risks associated with the laparoscopic femoral hernia repair surgery are:

• Anesthesia-related complications 
• Damage to the other internal organs such as the bowel
• Bleeding, blood clots, or infection 
• Scar formation
• Development of a lump under the wound
• Difficulty passing urine
• Temporary weakness of the leg
• Nerve injury
• Recurrence of the hernia

Why Choose Medfin?

Surgery can be a daunting aspect, and feeling anxious is absolutely normal. The massive amount of information you can get from the internet may confuse you even more. This is where Medfin can help. Leave us the hefty task of finding the best hospital, the finest doctor, and the latest procedure at the lowest cost. Let us take charge while you sit back and focus on your health and recovery. Think surgery! Think Medfin!