A Hernia Repair Surgery is a surgical operation that addresses a hernia or opening in the abdominal wall. G & L Surgical provides hernia repair surgeries in Singapore.
Our surgeon performs several hernia treatments in Singapore. These include open and laparoscopic hernia repair surgery for umbilical, inguinal, and incisional hernia repairs.
Our doctor makes an incision above the hernia into your groin and pushes the protruding abdominal tissue back into your abdomen, and stitches the defect closed in an open hernia repair. A mesh is usually applied to reinforce the abdominal walls to reduce pressure and prevent a recurrence of the condition. This repairs the abdominal wall defect.
In laparoscopic hernia repair surgery, the surgeon makes a few short incisions (usually or 0.5 cm to 1 cm) instead of a single long incision to repair the hernia.
Our doctor will advise which of the two procedures is best suited for you, depending on your condition.
What Is Hernia Repair Used to Treat?
A hernia repair can be used to treat each of the following types of hernias, they are:
In all hernia cases, an organ squeezes through an opening in the muscle or tissue holding it in place, leading to a protrusion of the body. For example, the intestines may protrude through a weakened area in the abdominal wall.
A hernia repair is considered minimally invasive, and most patients can resume normal activities in a short period of time after the surgery.
However, laparoscopic hernia repair surgery may be preferable compared to open surgery repair as there is less discomfort and scarring expected after the procedure. A laparoscopic hernia repair also has a shorter recovery time. It has proven to be highly effective, with more than 90 percent of hernias not coming back after laparoscopic surgery.
Do I Need a Hernia Repair Immediately?
For most hernias, immediate surgeries are not recommended if the condition is not causing a problem for the patient. Most patients who have a hernia will notice a bulge on their body that is painless. Specific actions such as lifting weights, bending, or coughing might lead to slight discomfort or pain in the region.
However, you might want to take note that most hernias do not go away on their own, and there is a possibility of the hernia becoming enlarged and creating a more significant discomfort over time.
Our doctor may recommend that you consider a hernia repair if you experience any of the following:
An increase in the size of your hernia
Increasing pain in the herniated region
Difficulty in performing daily activities
In rare, complicated cases, a hernia can be life-threatening if it leads to twisted or strangulated intestines. In such cases, a patient may experience bouts of fever, nausea and vomiting, and a darkening of the colour around the bulge.
If you experience any of these symptoms or suspect that your hernia is getting worse, you are advised to seek medical attention to get a proper diagnosis.
How Do I Prepare for a Hernia Repair?
When preparing for a hernia repair surgery, patients are recommended to inform our doctor of any medication or prescriptions they are consuming. Our doctor will advise you about the drugs that should be stopped in the days leading up to the surgery.
A patient is also advised to inform our doctor of any pre-existing conditions they have, such as health conditions or pregnancy.
On the day before the surgery, patients are also advised to fast 12 hours before the procedure.
After completing the procedure, patients will be warded for an observation period before being discharged the next day.
How does a Hernia Repair work?
A hernia repair can be done in one of two ways: open surgery or laparoscopic surgery.
In both types of surgeries, a patient will be placed under general anaesthesia, and they will be unconscious during the surgery.
In open surgery, our doctor will make a single incision over the hernia. The incision can range from 6 to 8cm long. After the incision is made, the surgeon looks to organise the protruding organ back into position within the abdomen.
To reinforce the abdominal wall, mesh will be used to hold the organs in place and reduce the pressure at the weakened spot where the bulge was originally, to strengthen it. Upon completion of the hernia repair, the wound is sealed with stitches.
In cases where the hernia has become strangulated, the affected region of the intestine may need to be removed and rejoined with the new ends made after the removal.
In such cases, a patient can expect to be required to stay much longer (around 4 to 5 days) to ensure their recovery is on track.
In laparoscopic hernia surgery, three small incisions are made in the abdomen instead of a large incision for our doctor to access the herniated region.
A laparoscope with a camera attached is inserted through one of the incisions for our doctor to look inside the abdomen.
Special surgical instruments are inserted through the other incisions for the doctor to place the organ back in place, and a mesh is inserted to reinforce the walls.
In both cases, a patient must stay for a day in the hospital for observation to ensure they do not experience any post-surgical complications.
What Are the Side Effects of a Hernia Repair?
As with all surgeries, a hernia repair carries a small amount of risk. They include:
Breathing difficulties
Bleeding from the surgical site
Adverse reactions to anaesthesia or other medications
Infection
In rare cases, complications after the hernia repair may occur, leading to a recurrence of the hernia at a similar region. With some complications, there may be damage done to the blood vessels or damage to nearby organs.
How Long Does It Take to Recover From a Hernia Repair?
Depending on the type of hernia repair surgery, the recovery period may differ.
Patients are usually able to be discharged from the hospital a day after the surgery. However, our doctor may require you to remain for observation and treatment until they are stabilised if there are complications.
For patients who undergo open surgery, it may take up to six weeks for a full recovery. On the other hand, patients who undergo laparoscopic hernia repair may resume normal activities within a week after the surgery.
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Dr. Ganesh Ramalingam
Specialist in General Surgery
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