A hernia is a condition where a portion of an organ, such as the intestine or fatty tissue, bulges out through a muscle or tissue that is weak. Hernias are of different types categorized based on the area it occurs and inguinal hernia the most common type of hernia. It happens when a section of the intestine bulges out through the inguinal canal. Incisional hernia, femoral hernia, umbilical hernia, and hiatal hernia are the other types of hernias .
Hernias can grow as large as a fist if left untreated. However, it can be treated surgically by pushing back the protruded parts inside and repairing the weakened muscle wall.
Is It Safe To Postpone Hernia Surgery?
Dr. Venugopal Pareek, one of the best laparoscopic Hernia Surgeon in Hyderabad says that when a patient is advised to undergo Hernia surgery, the first question they ask is, doctor, should i need to undergo surgery immediately or can we delay the surgery for a while. If we can delay, how long can we postpone the surgery? There might be many reasons for the patient to postpone the surgery like personal commitments, medical conditions etc.,
There are times that hernia surgery can be postponed and there are times that hernia surgery can’t be postponed.
Situations in which a hernia surgery can be postponed
Yes, in some situations hernia repair can be postponed safely. However, it is advised to the patient not to postpone hernia surgery for a longer time and get the surgery done as soon as possible.
In case of a small hernia that is not painful or uncomfortable, surgery might not be necessary right away.
If the hernia is not growing, surgery might not be necessary right away.
A hernia that doesn’t cause any obstruction or blockage, immediate surgery may not be necessary.
If the hernia doesn’t cause any other risk to the patient’s health, then the surgery can be delayed for while.
If the hernia doesn’t result in any other health complications, there are chances to postpone the surgery for some time.
If the hernia is small and not growing in size without causing any symptoms, it may be operated later.
There are also chances to delay hernia surgery if it is not interfering with the patient’s daily activities.
Experts say that even if you are not facing any problems with your hernia while exercising, lifting objects, physical activities, pregnancies and with normal wear and tear – that small hernia might become larger over time. And a larger hernia is tough to repair.
Situations in which a hernia requires immediate surgery
In some situations, a hernia repair becomes an emergency medical condition. In such cases, it requires immediate medical attention and needs to be operated immediately. The below are the hernia conditions that require immediate surgery.
A hernia can become incarcerated or strangulated, a condition in which the organ or a tissue is trapped inside the hernia and also blocks the blood supply to it. This could indicate a serious health condition that needs quick medical intervention. If the treatment is delayed, the tissue or organ might become damaged and occasionally it can even result in death.
Large hernias is another scenario that causes significant pain and discomfort, as well as leads to potential life-threatening complications like intestinal obstruction. So it is advised to repair these large hernias immediately to avoid the risk of complications.
If a hernia recurrent, which means it returns often even after surgical treatment, called recurrent hernia, needs another surgery to fix it. Surgical correction of recurrent hernia is frequently required to avoid further complications.
If a hernia is persistent, which means it doesn’t improve with non-surgical treatments like medications and physical therapy, a surgical treatment is the next step to fix the hernia and decrease the risk of complications.
We alone can’t determine which type of hernia can be postponed or delayed for surgery until it is thoroughly examined by a hernia surgeon. So if you have hernia problems and having any concerns with undergoing surgery, consult Dr. Venugopal Pareek, one of the best hernia surgeons in Hyderabad. He has more than 17 years of experience and a very good success rate in hernia repairs. Call to +91 91-777-77715 for booking an appointment with the doctor.
