Hernias are defined as protrusions of internal organs or body parts through a weak wall muscle or tissue. Hernias are classified into different types based on the area they occur, and most hernias occur within the abdominal cavity and around the area.
A hernia shouldn’t be left untreated; you should get it treated as soon as possible. This is because hernias can lead to severe health problems like infections, obstruction, and strangulation. Hernia surgery is the best and most permanent treatment option in most cases. Hernia surgery can be performed as an open procedure or through laparoscopy.
Open Hernia Surgery
Open hernia surgery is done under local, regional, or general anaesthesia. Different types of anaesthesia are used depending on the patient’s health condition. The open procedure involves making a single large incision by the surgeon, which is one or one and a half to two inches long in the area where the hernia is located. Gently the protruded tissues are pushed back into their natural positions, and the incision is sealed with stitches.
An open hernia surgery might take around one to two hours, based on the hernia size and complexity. Sometimes a mesh patch is used to support weak or damaged muscles around the hernia.
Laparoscopic Hernia Surgery
Laparoscopic hernia surgery is also performed under general anaesthesia. In this surgery, a few smaller incisions need to be made rather than a single large incision. And laparoscopic with a camera head is inserted through one of the incisions to see the hernia defect on a screen. The images displayed on the screen assist the surgeon in performing the surgery. The hernia sac is pushed to its original position by inserting other tools through the incisions, and a prosthetic mesh is arranged in place to strengthen weak tissues.
Which procedure is best for hernia surgery?
Hernias are diagnosed differently for each patient. First and foremost, one must be aware that both laparoscopic and open surgery are common treatment options for hernias today. Expert hernia surgeons say that some patients can benefit from laparoscopic hernia surgery, while some patients’ conditions are best suited for open surgery.
So what factors do surgeons consider when choosing between laparoscopic and open surgery for hernia repair? The deciding factor is not the kind of procedure but the type of hernia itself that determines which procedure is appropriate for it.
There is no single procedure that can be used for every patient with a hernia. It would be like taking one size shoe and trying to make it fit for everyone. It may never work out. Thus, the choice of laparoscopic versus open surgery to treat a hernia is determined by a number of factors.
- The type of hernia is the first factor to consider
- The size of the hernia, whether it is a small or large one
- Location of the hernia. Such as an umbilical hernia, which is located near the belly button, or an inguinal hernia located near the groin area
- Hernia surgery that has failed in the past
- The overall physical condition
- Age of the patient because elderly patients have poor muscle strength whereas young people are fit enough for any procedure
All these factors will be considered by the surgeon when deciding which surgical technique best suits the patient.
For instance, consider a patient with a small hernia developed in the belly button who is also active in sports and wants to get back to work quickly. For this patient, laparoscopic hernia surgery will be the preferred option. This is because a laparoscopic procedure is known for its quick recovery and less postoperative pain, so the patient can quickly return to his practice.
On the other hand, when you consider an old patient who has a history of hernia surgery or has any other health problems. In this case, considering all the factors, open surgery would be the best choice of surgery. This hernia surgery is chosen since the patient is aged and has various health issues; hence, an open hernia surgery using a modified approach would be a better option for the patient.
So, there is no significance to whether laparoscopic or open surgery is better for hernia repair. Instead, the actual question should be, “Which surgical procedure will be most beneficial to me?”
As discussed above, the choice of surgery is unique for each patient and is decided by the surgeon based on many factors related to the patient and the surgeon.
If you are looking for a Hernia Surgeon in Hyderabad or want to know which types of surgery suit the best for your hernia problem, contact Dr. V Pareek, one of the Best Laparoscopic Hernia Surgeon in Hyderabad. In addition to laparoscopy, he is also an expert in performing open hernia repairs. He has nearly two decades of experience and helped thousands of patients to get rid of hernia problems. Call +91 91-777-77715 to book a consultation with the doctor.
