An inguinal hernia occurs when internal organs and tissues protrude through a weak spot in the groin area (inguinal region). It generally happens when part of the intestines bulges through a weak opening in the groin. It can occur in both men and women, and it typically presents as a swelling and pain in the groin area.
Before inguinal hernia surgery, it is important to have a consultation and examination with the doctor. The patient's medical history and current health status are evaluated, and the details of the surgery are discussed. Preoperative blood tests and an anesthesiologist consultation are also scheduled.
If the patient is taking any medications, instructions on how to continue them or when to stop blood thinners are discussed. The patient is informed about the timing of their last meal before the surgery.
If the patient consumes alcohol or smokes, recommendations are provided to avoid delaying postoperative recovery. The doctor explains the course of the surgery, potential risks, and any possible outcomes, and a consent form is signed. The patient is informed about when to arrive at the hospital and the steps of the process, ensuring readiness for surgery.
Inguinal hernia surgery can be performed using open or closed (laparoscopic) techniques. Both methods can involve general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia.
In the open technique, a cut is made in the groin area to locate the hernia sac, and the protruding tissue is pushed back into the abdomen. A mesh is placed over the area and secured with stitches to prevent the hernia from recurring, and the incision is closed with sutures.
In the closed (laparoscopic) method, the surgery is performed with laparoscopic instruments and a camera. The hernia sac is located, the protruding tissue is pushed back, and a mesh is placed and secured over the area.
Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Surgery is a minimally invasive procedure performed using a laparoscopic technique. Before surgery, the patient has a consultation with the doctor to evaluate their overall health status.
During a consultation with an anesthesiologist, the type of anesthesia is determined. A few small incisions are made, through which laparoscopic instruments and a camera are inserted to provide a view inside the abdomen. The hernia is repaired using these instruments.
To reduce the risk of recurrence, a mesh is placed over the hernia site and secured. After the surgery, the small incisions are closed with sutures. The patient is typically discharged on the same day or the following day. Recovery time varies but generally allows a return to daily activities within 7-10 days. Heavy lifting should be avoided, and the doctor's instructions should be followed post-surgery.
Open Inguinal Hernia Surgery is one of the most commonly performed procedures in general surgery. It involves repairing a hernia that has developed in the groin area.
Before open inguinal hernia surgery, a consultation with the doctor is conducted, followed by an evaluation of the patient's general health and a discussion with an anesthesiologist to determine the type of anesthesia (general or spinal). In this procedure, a 6-7 cm incision is made in the groin area to locate the hernia sac. The organs (usually the small intestine) are pushed back into the abdomen.
The hernia sac is tied off and removed. To reduce the risk of recurrence, a mesh is placed over the hernia site and secured. The incision is then closed layer by layer.
The patient is typically discharged on the same day or the following day. The recovery period lasts 7-10 days, and full recovery may take a few weeks.
There are important aspects to consider during the recovery process after inguinal hernia surgery, as these not only prevent possible complications but also speed up recovery. After inguinal hernia surgery:
Wound care and cleanliness should be managed as recommended by the doctor, and any minor issue should be communicated with the doctor. The doctor's instructions regarding returning to work and daily activities should be followed.
Inguinal hernia surgery typically takes 45-60 minutes, though this duration may vary depending on the surgeon’s experience, the technique used, the size of the hernia, and the patient’s general health condition.
While inguinal hernia surgery is generally considered safe, there are some risks and complications, as with any surgery. These may include infection, bleeding, complications related to anesthesia, nerve damage, risk of hernia recurrence, chronic pain, organ damage, and blood clotting problems. Although these risks are rare, they can be minimized by the patient’s general health status and the surgeon’s experience. All these risks should be explained to the patient before the surgery.
The specific risks of inguinal hernia surgery include:
These risks may involve injury to the blood vessels in the groin, nerve damage, and damage to the reproductive ducts in men. However, when the surgery is performed by experienced surgeons with proper patient preparation, these risks are very low.
The type of anesthesia chosen for inguinal hernia surgery depends on the type of surgery, the patient’s general health condition, and personal preference. The patient may be put to sleep with general anesthesia, or the procedure can be done under spinal or epidural anesthesia (numbing from the waist down). It can also be done with local anesthesia and sedation. The appropriate type of anesthesia is determined after a consultation with the anesthesiologist before the surgery.
Inguinal hernia surgery is a common procedure in general surgery, but like any surgery, it does come with some challenges and risks. The difficulty of the surgery depends on factors such as the size and location of the hernia, whether it is a recurrent hernia, the surgical technique used, the surgeon’s experience, the patient's age, and the patient’s general health condition.
Inguinal hernia surgery is one of the most frequently performed surgeries in general surgery practice, so there are many experienced surgeons who perform this operation. Although the patient may experience some difficulty, the surgery typically lasts around 40-50 minutes, and it may take 5-6 weeks to return to social life and work.
Pain is common in the early postoperative period, but it generally responds well to pain relievers. As time progresses, the pain subsides and eventually disappears. In summary, inguinal hernia surgery is considered a relatively simple and comfortable procedure for the patient.
The recovery time after inguinal hernia surgery varies depending on the surgical technique used, the patient’s overall health, the size of the hernia, and the complexity of the surgery. After the surgery, the patient is usually discharged on the same day or the next day. Rest, light walking, and proper wound care are important during the first week. In the following weeks, the patient can gradually return to work and daily activities. Full recovery and the ability to engage in strenuous activities may take 6-8 weeks.
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Prof. Dr. Sezai AydınGeneral Surgery Turkey
PROF. DR. SEZAI AYDIN
