| LAPAROSCOPIC HERNIA SURGERY |
For
inguinal (or groin) hernias:
In
certain instances, a laparoscopic (or minimally
invasive) approach to repair an inguinal hernia is
desired. Although the laparoscopic approach
requires a general anesthetic, certain patients
may find benefit in this minimally invasive
approach.
In general, patients who are
younger than age 45, who have hernias on both
sides, and who present with a recurrent hernia are
the best candidates for the laparoscopic approach.
Patients undergoing the laparoscopic approach
appear to have a shorter recovery period, more
rapid return to work and less complications of
long-term pain.
Patients who are over the
age of 60, however, appear to do very well with
the open repair, even with bilateral repairs, and
can avoid the added risks of a general anesthetic.
Age appears to be a very important factor
determining how much pain a patient will have
after surgery in both the short-term and the
long-term. Up to 20% of patients can have chronic
groin pain, which appears to be "mesh pain", and
this appears to be more common in the younger
patients.
Patients who are between the
ages of 45 and 60 are in the grey area regarding
which approach would be better. The ultimate
decision regarding which approach to pursue will
be a decision made by you and your surgeon based
on the risks and benefits of each.
Laparoscopic Incisional
Hernia:
Incisional hernias are
one of the more common complications of any
surgical procedure of the abdomen. These hernias
occur because the area of a surgical incision
weakens under the strain of the abdomen. Patients
who carry much of their weight in their
mid-section or who have had multiple surgeries are
at greatest risk for hernia development.
Repairing incisional hernias laparoscopically appears to be the better way to approach these types of hernias. Not only can the hernia be fixed through several small incisions without reopening the original incision but additional areas of weakness along the abdominal wall can be identified and repaired at the same time, preventing a future hernia from developing that will later require surgery. The risks of infection and recurrence with the laparoscopic incisional hernia repair appear to be much lower than with the open approach.
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