Recovery after Laparoscopic Hernia Repair

Written by Dr. Hassan M.Hashem Alshater | 22-Jun-2019 05:43:17

Introduction: What is a Hernia?

A hernia is a condition in which an organ, like the intestines, pushes through an area where it shouldn't be. A hernia can occur at the site where an internal body part connects to the surface of the body, such as the site where the esophagus connects to the stomach. It is a protrusion of an organ or body part through a weak spot in the muscle or fascia. For example, a hernia may occur where the abdominal muscles meet.

There are several types of hernias:

Inguinal Hernia: A hernia that occurs when part of the intestine squeezes through a weak area of the lower abdominal muscles.
Femoral Hernia: A hernia that occurs when part of the bowel squeezes through a weak area near the groin.
Umbilical Hernia: A common type of hernia that occurs when the muscles of the abdominal wall weaken and bulge out.
Incisional Hernia: A type of Hernia that occurs around the site of a previously made incision within the abdominal wall.
Hiatal Hernia: A hiatal hernia develops when the stomach is pushed through the diaphragm.

What are the Warning Signs of a Hernia?

Hernias are a common problem for the elderly. They can happen for many reasons, but the most common is that the abdomen has weakened and is unable to hold in pressure from the organs.

A hernia is when an organ or tissue pushes through a weak spot in your abdominal wall. A hernia can be either internal or external. Internal hernias are ones where an organ pushes through a hole in your abdominal wall, like when your intestines push through a hole in your stomach wall. External hernias are ones where an organ pushes out of one of the holes in your abdominal wall, like when part of your intestine pokes out of one of the openings near your belly button.

What is Laparoscopic Hernia Repair?

The main difference between the two types of surgery is in the way they are performed. Open surgery is a more invasive procedure that requires a large incision on the patient’s abdomen. Laparoscopic surgery, on the other hand, uses smaller incisions and a camera to allow surgeons to see inside the patient’s body.

Open surgery has been used for decades because it was believed to be better than laparoscopic surgery for hernia repair. However, recent studies have shown that laparoscopic surgery is just as effective as open surgery and has less risk of complications.

What is the Recovery Time for Laparoscopic Hernia Repair?

The recovery time for hernia repair is determined by the type of procedure, the severity of the hernia, and the individual’s health. The recovery time after laparoscopic hernia repair is different from person to person. The length of stay in the hospital also varies by patient and procedure. Some people may be able to go home on the same day of the surgery and go on with their normal daily activities within a day or two, while others may need to stay in the hospital for a week or so.

Wound Care After Laparoscopy Surgery:

The procedure is usually done under general anesthesia, which can cause some side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and constipation. It is important to keep the wound clean and dry for at least a week after surgery. Patients should avoid heavy physical activity for 4 weeks.

The procedure takes usually 60 minutes depending on if it is a unilateral or bilateral hernia.
It is normally a one-day surgery unless the patient has any other health problems. In this case, this should be done as an inpatient rather than an outpatient.
The patient will be discharged on the same day about 3-4 hours after surgery.
We recommend no driving for the first 2 days, especially while taking a painkiller.
The recovery time varies, but it is approximately 1 week. Some patients return to work even after 2 days.
Strenuous exercise should stop until 4-6 weeks.