Laparoscopic Incisional Hernia Repair

What is Laparoscopic Incisional Hernia Repair?

Laparoscopic surgery is a less invasive surgical procedure to cure your hernia. In this procedure, multiple small incisions are made instead of one large cut.

Laparoscopic Incisional surgery works well for small to medium hernias. However, for large hernias, open surgery would be recommended by your surgeon. 

Laparoscopic Incisional Hernia Repair Surgery is recommended by surgeons in case of -

• A previously failed traditional surgery where mesh was inappropriately or inexpertly placed.

• Depending on a particular case where Laparoscopic surgery seems appropriate.

• In select cases, involving bilateral hernia (on both sides) to be operated at the same time

How does an incisional hernia affect a patient?

Incisional Hernias can have serious complications, with the worst being bowel obstruction and strangulation.

A strangulated hernia can cause damaged tissues in your intestine and this condition may be life-threatening if you don't get treatment right away.

Hernias also rupture, but this is extremely rare. However, this situation calls for emergency surgery.

If Hernias are left untreated, they could enlarge over time and cause pain and discomfort. The complications are life-threatening and therefore call for immediate surgical measures.

How is Laparoscopic Incisional Hernia Repair performed?

Laparoscopic incisional hernia repair procedure makes multiple small incisions instead of one large cut.

Post incision, hollow tubes are placed in these incisions, and carbon dioxide is used to inflate your abdomen to make your organs more visible. The surgical tools are then inserted through these incisions including a small camera. 

Laparoscopic surgery works well for small to medium hernias. However, for large hernias, open surgery would be recommended by your surgeon. 

Laparoscopic surgery is less invasive, and the patient can leave the hospital the same day or next. There are also fewer chances of infection in a Laparoscopic procedure.

Laparoscopic surgery also involves the use of mesh patches to support the weak tissues and many people make a full recovery from hernias without developing recurrent hernias.

What is the Post Surgery care to be taken?

With the Laparoscopic Incisional Hernia Surgery, patients can go home on the same day or a day after.

The patients can resume normal activities within a fortnight. In some cases, the hospital stay needs to be extended depending on the extent of the procedure and how long it took the doctor to repair the abdominal wall.

Patients are advised to avoid work, coughing, straining, and other strenuous activities post-surgery.

What are the results of the Laproscopic incisional hernia repair?

The outcome of incisional hernia repair is generally good, particularly with the laparoscopic method, and shows lesser recurrence as compared to the open traditional surgery.

However, recurrence after open procedures can be controlled by using mesh. Although traditional open surgery has complications, especially infection, because of the larger abdominal incisions.

Laparoscopy procedure with the use of mesh has shown a lesser rate of recurrence with fewer complications as well.

What are the Risks of Laparoscopic Incisional Surgery?

• Poorly administered laparoscopic procedures can have consequences. Well-trained and experienced surgeons result in effective proper procedures and fewer chances of post-surgery complications.

• The image quality of the 2D video image is not very supportive for such a complex process to be performed. However, during the process, there are chances of damage to the major organs around including blood vessels, bowel, or bladder.

• Laparoscopic repairs are done under general anesthesia. That carries risks of its own especially in elderly patients or patients with medical conditions.

Pain from a Laparoscopic Incisional Hernia Surgery

Post-surgery depending upon how it is performed, a patient can get quite a lot of pain after a laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. The pain is not from the skin incisions but the cut, pull, and staples in the deep tissues.