A hernia is a rupture through the wall of the abdomen. It can give rise to discomfort, particularly after exercise. If the bowel becomes trapped in the hernia an urgent operation may be required. For these reasons you have been advised to have your hernia repaired.
Traditionally an incision is made in the groin and stitches used to darn the hole through which the hernia has appeared. You have agreed to have the repair carried out using a laparoscopic (keyhole) technique.
A telescope the width of a small finger is placed into the abdomen through a small cut by the navel. The surgeon can see what needs to be done on a video screen. Using specially designed instruments introduced through separate one cm incisions a mesh is placed over the hernia hole from the inside and held in place by staples.
The operation will be carried out under a general anaesthetic, you will be given a leaflet explaining more about this.
What are the pro’s and con’s of a keyhole repair?
This is a relatively new technique – although several thousands of patients have had a laparoscopic repair already. After any type of repair the hernia may appear again. Early results show that this is less likely to occur after a laparoscopic patch repair than after many of the other methods used. If the patch becomes infected it would have to be removed. You are therefore given an antibiotic at the time of the anaesthetic.
Occasionally it may not prove possible to proceed with the laparoscopic method. In these circumstances a traditional repair can still be carried out – so you would wake up with your hernia repaired.
After the keyhole surgery you will have less pain and be fully mobile sooner than you would be after other types of repair.
As with the traditional repair, most people are able to have a keyhole operation as a day case rather than having to stay in hospital overnight.
Please follow the advice in the day unit’s General Information for Patients leaflet.
These will have sealed within 48 hours after the operation. You may then remove the dressing and can take a bath or shower. The wounds will have been closed with dissolvable stitches under the skin.
If the wounds become reddened, painful or throbbing, please let the hospital contact doctor know. Sometimes a firm lump forms in the groin where the hernia was. This is the redundant hernia bag and slowly will disappear. If it is not getting smaller a month from the operation, let your doctor know.
Follow-up appointments
You will not normally be given an appointment to be seen in the clinic. If any problem arises we would, however, be keen to see you again and you can arrange an appointment either through your general practitioner or by ringing your consultant’s secretary at the hospital.
Please remember:
A ‘Self Certificate’ is required for the first week of absence from work. Your employer can supply you with this which you should then complete. If you are self-employed then the certificate can be obtained from the day procedure unit. If it is likely that you are going to be off for longer than a week then please contact your doctor by telephone in good time. A ‘Form Med5’ will then be supplied to you completed by the doctor.
What
is a Hernia?
A hernia is a rupture through the wall of the abdomen. It can give rise to discomfort particularly after exercise. If the bowel becomes trapped in the hernia an urgent operation may be required. For these reasons you have been advised to have your hernia repaired.
How
is it repaired?
The
lining of the hernia is either removed or replaced within the abdomen. Stitches are then put in place to strengthen the weakness where
the hernia has broken through. Even
so, a small proportion of hernias can occur again after repair.
The
operation is carried out either under a general anaesthetic when you are asleep,
or under a local anaesthetic. Your
surgeon will have discussed which is better for you.
You will be given a leaflet explaining more about the anaesthetic.
Day
Case or In-Patient?
If
it is possible to repair a hernia on a day case basis most people prefer this.
Some, however, because of their general health or home circumstances,
have to be in-patients.
It
is important for you to read and follow the advice in the unit’s General
Information for Patients leaflet.
After
the operation
The
Wound
This will have sealed within 48 hours after the operation. You may then remove the dressing and can take a bath or a shower.
The wound will usually have been closed with stitches that dissolve – if they need to be removed you will be told and an arrangement made for this to be done at your GP’s surgery.
Some swelling and bruising around the wound is not unusual. If the wound becomes reddened, painful or throbbing, let your doctor know.
Follow-up appointments
It is not normally necessary to see you in the hospital again after your repair.
If you feel you need to be seen again, either discuss this with your GP or ring the consultant’s secretary at the hospital, who will make an appointment for you to come to the out-patient clinic.
Please remember
A ‘Self Certificate’ is required for the first week of absence from work. Your employer can supply you with this which you should then complete. If you are self-employed then the certificate can be obtained from the day procedure unit. If it is likely that you are going to be off for longer than a week then please contact your doctor by telephone in good time. A ‘Form Med5’ will then be supplied to you completed by the doctor.
What is a Para-Umbilical Hernia?
This is a small rupture near the navel. It can give rise to discomfort when fatty tissue gets trapped within the defect. For these reasons you have been advised to have your hernia repaired.
How is it repaired?
The fatty protrusion is replaced within the abdomen. Stitches are then placed to strengthen the weakness where the hernia has broken through. Even so, a small proportion of hernias can occur again after repair.
The operation is usually carried out under a general anaesthetic when you are asleep. Your surgeon will have discussed this with you and you will be given a leaflet explaining more about the anaesthetic.
Day Case or In-Patient?
If it is possible to repair a hernia on a day case basis most people prefer this. Some, however, because of their general health or home circumstances, have to be in-patients.
It is important for you to read and follow the advice in the units General Information for Patients leaflet.
After the operation:
Discuss your readiness to return to work with your GP who will provide you with the necessary certificate. It is unlikely you will be able to return to work for some 10 days after the operation.
The Wound
This will have sealed within 48 hours after the operation. You may then remove the dressing and can take a bath or a shower.
The wound will usually have been closed with stitches that dissolve – if they need to be removed you will be told and an arrangement made for this to be done at your GP’s surgery.
Some swelling and bruising around the wound is not unusual. If the wound becomes reddened, painful or throbbing, let your doctor know.
Follow-up appointments
It is not normally necessary to see you in the hospital again after your repair.
If you feel you need to be seen again, either discuss this with your GP or ring the consultant’s secretary at the hospital, who will make an appointment for you to come to the out-patient clinic.
Please remember: