If your doctor has suggested surgery for the repair of your hernia, you may be considering an innovative new procedure called.
Laparoscopic hernioplasty called “Lap hernia” for short, the procedure is a “less invasive” type of surgery. Since incisions are extremely small with less invasive procedures, discomfort after surgery is reduced and recovery is shortened.
The most common type of hernia is the inguinal or groin, hernia. An inguinal hernia occurs in the extreme lower part of the abdomen and can be found in males and females of any age.
More commonly, hernias may produce a dull aching sensation or an occasional sharp pain. Once an inguinal hernia occurs, it cannot heal itself; in fact, left untreated it can get larger and lead to other complications (like bowel obstruction). Surgery is the only way to repair the hernia.
To repair the inguinal hernia laparoscopically, the surgeon makes three small incisions in the patient’s abdomen. Unlike the four-inch incisions made in traditional open surgery, these incisions do not traumatize muscle tissue, so patients experience much less pain after surgery and return to normal activity within a week.
Next, the surgeon inserts a thin tube, or trocar, into each of the abdominal incisions. A laparoscope, which consists of a small video camera and light source, is inserred near the naval. The camera sends actual images to a monitor, allowing the surgeon to “see” inside the body.
A variety of surgical instruments access the hernia site through the second and third tubes. Through one tube a surgeon uses a “grasper” to manipulate the tissue surrounding the hernia and to position a mesh patch that covers the opening in the muscle wall. Through the other tube the surgeon attaches the mesh patch to the wall with staples or sutures. The mesh becomes a strong and permanent part of the abdominal wall.
While each case is unique, the procedure can take less than an hour and usually requires no overnight stay. It is performed under general anaesthesia.
The pain from the small incisions is usually gone in a day or two. And at that point, it is possible to resume normal activities such as driving car or returning to light work. Full activity is frequently permitted within about two weeks, but a check-up in the surgeons office is recommended before resuming strenuous activities such as heavy lifting or participating in sports.
Lap Hernia | Traditional Open Surgery |
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Hospital Stay | usually same Day procedure | usually same Day procedure | ||||
Recovery Time | As little as 1 week | 4-6 weeks | ||||
Scarring | 3 Small marks | 3-inch scar | ||||
Postoperative Pain | Minimal | Significant |