What is a Hernia?
A Hernia is an out-pouching of intra-abdominal contents through a defect, or hole in the muscle. The abdominal muscles and bones of the pelvis prevent abdominal contents from drooping out under normal circumstances. The skin and fat below the skin do not provide any strength and stretch if there is a hernia present.
Hernias can occur anywhere in the abdomen, but most commonly occur at weak points where a small tear can start, and enlarge over time.
Groin Hernia (Inguinal hernia)
Traditionally the groin hernias were approached as an open procedure. Now it is mostly approached by laparoscopic (key hole) approach. At Macquarie Surgical services we offer laparoscopic repair of groin hernias.
The operation is performed under a general anaesthetic and usually takes about 30 minutes (less than an hour for a repair to both sides).
The surgeon will make several small cuts on your abdomen. They will insert surgical instruments, through ports with guidance from a telescope, inside your abdomen and perform the operation.
The surgeon will return the part of the contents of the abdomen that is causing the hernia, and insert a synthetic mesh to cover the weak spot.
Laparoscopic repair has the advantage of less post operative pain, early return to work and less chance of wound infection compared to the open procedure.
What complications can happen?
General complications
- pain
- scarring
- blood clots
- bleeding
- infection of the surgical site
Specific complications
- surgical emphysema
- injury to your bowel during port insertion
- collections of fluid
- chronic pain
- for men, discomfort or pain in your testicle on the side of the operation
- urine retention
- for men, damage to the blood supply of your testicle
Recovery
You should be able to go home the same day or the day after.
You may return to normal activities when you feel comfortable to do so, usually after a week.
You can drive when you can comfortably break.
You do not need to avoid lifting, but we recommend avoiding heavy weight lifting for 6 weeks to prevent port site hernias.
Regular light physical exercise should help you to return to normal activities as soon as possible.
The hernia can come back. Usually this is rare if the repair is sound.
https://www.sages.org/video/tep-repair/