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Inguinal Hernia Treatment
Laparoscopy
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About Inguinal Hernia
An inguinal hernia occurs when abdominal tissue or the intestine protrudes through a weakened spot in the groyne area. This can cause a noticeable lump that is often accompanied by pain, particularly when performing actions such as coughing, bending over, or lifting heavy objects. It is more prevalent in males and may require surgery to prevent further complications. If you believe you may have an inguinal hernia, it is crucial to seek medical attention for accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.
Types of Inguinal Hernia
The primary inguinal hernia types include the following based on their characteristics and locations:
Indirect inguinal hernia : This particular inguinal hernia happens when contents from the abdomen, such as a section of the intestine, bulge into the inguinal canal. In men, it usually follows the spermatic cord, while in women, it follows the round ligament. Indirect inguinal hernias are typically present from birth and can develop later in life due to factors like heightened abdominal pressure from activities such as heavy lifting or exertion. It is frequently observed in children and young adults.
Direct inguinal hernia : This inguinal hernia type is usually found in older men. It occurs when abdominal contents protrude through a weak spot in the abdominal wall, usually in Hesselbach's triangle, a specific area in the groyne. It is less common than indirect inguinal hernias.
Management and Treatment of Inguinal Hernia
Non-surgical management of inguinal hernia :
Typically, an inguinal hernia requires surgical intervention to resolve. However, alternative methods such as using a hernia belt or making lifestyle changes can help alleviate symptoms temporarily. It is important to note that surgery is the only permanent solution for an inguinal hernia. If considering conservative or non-surgical management, it is essential to seek guidance from a healthcare professional as they may result in complications such as strangulation or bowel obstruction. Some possible non-surgical treatments for an inguinal hernia include the following:
There are some lifestyle changes that can help manage symptoms and prevent progression of inguinal hernias. These include:
Bowel habits : Use a footstool to raise your knees during bowel movements to avoid straining.
Diet and Weight Management : By maintaining a healthy weight and staying hydrated, you can decrease abdominal pressure and prevent constipation.
Physical activity and lifting : Exercises that strengthen the core muscles are more effective than heavy lifting and strenuous activities that can increase abdominal pressure. Among the exercises that should be practised are inclined leg lifts, inclined cycling exercises, pillow squeezes to strengthen the muscles, mini crunches to strengthen the abdominal wall, etc.
Put some ice: Symptoms of inguinal hernia, such as swelling, redness, and pain in the abdomen or groyne, can be minimised by applying an ice pack directly to the affected area next time you experience any of these symptoms.
Proper Posture : You can reduce abdominal strain by maintaining good posture.
Take Fibre rich diet: When you are suffering from an inguinal hernia, eat quality food in smaller quantities. If you want to prevent constipation, change your diet and include high-fibre foods such as fresh vegetables, non-citrusy foods like apples, papaya melons, nuts, and seeds such as almonds and chia seeds, yoghurt, and lean protein. You can also lower your chances of acid reflux and heartburn by drinking more water and juices made from carrots, aloe vera, and cabbage.
Surgical Treatment Of Inguinal Hernia
Inguinal hernias can be repaired in two ways:
Herniorrhaphy (open hernia repair):As part of this traditional approach, a surgeon makes an incision in the groyne region, pushes the protruding hernia sac back into the abdomen, and reinforces the weakened abdominal wall tissues using sutures or mesh.
Hernia repair by laparoscopy (laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair): This minimally invasive procedure involves creating a few tiny incisions in the abdominal wall in order to insert a laparoscope (a thin, lighted tube with a camera) and surgical instruments. By using the laparoscope, the surgeon can view the hernia and repair it from the inside, usually with mesh. Compared to open surgery, laparoscopic surgery usually has smaller incisions, is less painful, and has a faster recovery time.
Benefits of Inguinal Hernia Surgery
Inguinal hernia surgery has several benefits, including:
Relief from discomfort: A surgical repair of inguinal hernias can relieve pain, discomfort, and a visible bulge in the groyne region.
Preventions of Complications : Inguinal hernias can cause serious complications if left untreated, such as incarceration (when the hernia cannot be pushed back into the abdomen) and strangulation (cutting off the blood supply to its contents), both of which are medical emergencies. These potentially life-threatening situations can be prevented with timely surgical treatment.
Improved Mobility: Having the weakened abdominal wall strengthened after an inguinal hernia repair allows you to return to your normal physical activities and work more comfortably.
Hernia enlargement prevention : Surgical treatment prevents inguinal hernias from becoming larger and more difficult to repair if left untreated.
Recurrence risk is reduced : There has been an advancement in surgical repair methods, and the use of mesh during surgery has decreased the risk of hernia recurrence. Modern inguinal hernia repair techniques offer excellent long-term success rates.
A better quality of life : The treatment of the inguinal hernia and prevention of its complications will allow you to enjoy an improved quality of life without the discomfort and limitations associated with untreated inguinal hernias.
Recovery Tips after Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Surgery
Depending on the individual, recovery time may vary after laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery. It is important to follow your surgeon's specific recovery tips to ensure a safe and successful recovery. However, strenuous activities and heavy lifting are generally restricted for 2-3 weeks or as your surgeon advises. Here are some recovery tips to follow:
In the first few days after your inguinal hernia repair surgery, avoid heavy lifting, strenuous activities, and vigorous exercise.
After surgery, you may experience pain and discomfort. Take prescribed pain medications as directed by your surgeon. Acetaminophen, an over-the-counter pain reliever, may also be prescribed by your surgeon.
Following your surgeon's instructions regarding wound care, bandaging changes, and showering will help you keep the surgical incision clean and dry.
Slowly reintroduce solid foods as tolerated. Stay hydrated to aid in your recovery.
Consume high-fibre foods and consider using a mild stool softener if necessary. Pain medicine and reduced physical activity can cause constipation.
Keep track of your progress by attending all follow-up appointments.
You should gradually reintroduce light activities and increase your daily mobility after the initial healing stage.
In case of infection (redness, swelling, fever), hernia recurrence, or other unusual symptoms, contact your healthcare provider.