Hernia Surgery There Are Two, Open Surgery and Laparoscopy

Hernia surgery is performed as a treatment measure to treat the hernia. Especially if the herniated lump continues to enlarge and feel pain. There are two common hernia surgery techniques, which are open surgery and laparoscopy. Sometimes, hernia surgery may be the only way to cure hernias. Surgery is generally recommended when a hernia or a severe throbbing suffered does not improve, get worse, and risk causing dangerous complications.

Get to know Hernia

Hernia occurs when an organ or fat tissue pushes around a weak muscle or tissue wall. The most common type of hernia that occurs in Indonesia is an inguinal hernia, which is a hernia that occurs when a part of an organ in the abdominal cavity pushes the membrane lining the abdominal cavity or a weak abdominal wall muscle. As a result, formed lumps or swelling in the groin, can even cause a portion of the scrotum (testicular pouch) to enlarge. Inguinal hernias can cause incarceration and strangulation.

• Incarcerated hernias occur when the intestine is trapped in the abdominal wall or in the hernia pouch (protrusions in the form of soft tissue that pushes the weak abdominal wall), thus interfering with the intestine's work, causing severe pain, nausea, vomiting, abdominal swelling (distension), and difficulty removing wind or bowel movements.
• Strangulated hernias occur when the tissue is pinched until blood flow / supply is obstructed. Strangulate causes tissue death (gangrene) in the affected intestine, severe bleeding, serious bacterial infection in the blood (septicemia) which can be life-threatening.

Inguinal hernias can be treated by performing a hernia surgery procedure. There are two ways hernia surgery can be done, namely open surgery and laparoscopic surgery. Both are equally effective, but will be selected and determined according to the conditions, needs and abilities of patients.

Open Hernia Surgery

Basically, to treat an inguinal hernia, open surgery is done by making an incision in the groin area.

• Indication

Surgery is recommended if an inguinal hernia patient experiences pain or other symptoms. This surgery is also recommended for patients with good health.

• Procedure

Before the operation begins, patients with open inguinal hernia surgery will be given anesthesia or anesthesia. The patient can stay awake during the operation, but the area to be dissected will experience numbness so the patient will not feel pain. Although in some cases, general anesthesia can also be performed (the patient falls asleep during the operation and will not feel pain). After the anesthetic effect works, the surgeon makes a single 6-8 cm long incision above the hernia lump. Prominent fat or intestinal tissue is then placed back into the stomach. Next, a synthetic web is placed in the abdominal wall, precisely in the hernia hole, to strengthen the gap of the weak wall and reduce the risk of hernias recurring. Finally, the incision will be closed again with stitches. If strangulation occurs and a part of the intestine is damaged, that part may need to be cut and the two ends of a healthy intestine connected. Open hernia surgery is included in the category of major surgery. Therefore, patients must stay in the hospital for 4-5 days.

• Recovery

Recovery time needed after surgery generally ranges from 2-6 weeks. During the recovery process, pain or pain around the area that is operated may be felt and usually the doctor will prescribe painkillers to overcome them. Patients are advised to avoid strenuous activities for 4-6 weeks, until they have fully recovered. Mild activities, such as shopping, may already be done after 1 to 2 weeks post surgery. Mild exercise, such as walking, is also allowed, because this exercise tends to help the healing process. For driving or driving activities, it is advisable to wait for about 6-8 weeks until the operation is completely healed, or if the pain is no longer felt.

• Complications

Hernia surgery is fairly safe, but the possibility of complications remains. Complications such as infection, blood clots, chronic pain (chronic), or certain nerve damage, can occur.

Laparoscopic Hernia Surgery

Laparoscopy is a hernia operation that is done by making a small incision in the lower part of the navel. A small incision in the act of laparoscopic surgery is made with the aim to insert a device called a laparoscope, which is a small tube equipped with a camera and light, so that it can capture images of organs in the abdomen. When this surgery is performed, the patient will be totally anesthetized first to avoid the pain caused during the surgery.

• Indication

Laparoscopic hernia surgery is recommended for people with inguinal hernias who feel pain or other symptoms.

• Procedure

Usually patients will undergo fasting for 6-12 hours before surgery. The use of blood-thinning drugs, such as aspirin and warfarin, must be stopped several days before surgery to avoid bleeding. To begin the hernia surgery process, the patient is given general anesthesia to be able to sleep during the surgery. Then the doctor makes a small incision 1-1.5 cm long in the abdomen (near the navel) to insert a small tube and laparoscope. A tube is inserted to drain carbon dioxide gas into the stomach until the stomach bulges. Thus, the doctor can see the organs in the patient's stomach more clearly and have more room to work. Then the laparoscope is inserted through this tube. The laparoscope will display the image on the monitor screen so that the doctor can see the area around the hernia. A small surgical instrument is then inserted through an incision to perform the required procedure based on images from the laparoscope on the monitor. After completion, carbon dioxide gas is removed from the stomach and the incision is closed again with stitches or clips.

• Recovery

Post-operative laparoscopic pain will be less than post-open hernia pain. Laparoscopic hernia surgery patients can return to routine a week faster when compared to patients undergoing open surgery.

• Complications

Similar to open hernia surgery, complications that may arise include infection, pain, scarring and tissue adhesions. Immediately go to the hospital if within 24 hours you have a fever with temperatures up to 38 ° C, cold or chills, abdominal pain, the incision area feels painful and reddish, one leg aches and swollen, or feels painful when passing urine small.

What needs to be underlined, even after undergoing a hernia operation, does not guarantee you then become free from the risk of a hernia. This means you still need to be careful not to experience hernias again later. If you intend to undergo a hernia operation to cure the illness, consult your doctor in advance about the procedure that is suitable and safe for you. That way, the risk of complications may be minimized and your chances of recovery will be even greater.