Open Hernia Surgery

Hernias occur when an organ or piece of fat squeezes through a weak spot in the wall of muscle or tissue. There can be a difference in size between each hernia, and depending on the size, it might or might not be visible on your body.

Hernias occur in the groin region and have the following four main types. 

• Inguinal hernias - occur as a bulge in the groin in a passageway called the inguinal canal. This type of hernia is common in women.
• Femoral hernias - occur in the outer groin area known as the femoral canals. This type of hernia is common in women.
• Ventral hernias - occur as a bulge in the abdominal wall. This type of hernia has three further types: epigastric hernias, incisional hernias, and umbilical hernias.
• Hiatal hernias - your upper stomach bulges out through the diaphragm, which separates your abdomen from your chest.

This is a painful condition that does not go away on its own. The ultimate solution to get rid of a hernia is surgery, but depending on your condition, you may be able to delay it for months or years. Engaging in strenuous physical activities, such as lifting heavy objects, can aggravate the condition.

Treatment Options for Hernia

Hernias do not go away on their own. It may be recommended at first to change your lifestyle, but if the bulge worsens or if your doctor suspects that blood circulation to the abdominal wall may become blocked, they will advise you to move forward with surgery. 

Three types of hernia surgeries are offered; open repair surgery and laparoscopy.

• Open repair hernia surgery: the surgeons will make an incision in the groin to repair the hernia. They may use prosthetic mesh to strengthen the abdominal wall and will close the incision using stitches.
• Laparoscopy: this is a minimally invasive procedure in which the surgeon makes small incisions in the groin and inserts a laparoscope (a small camera) in the body to view the hernia and repair it. The prosthetic mesh will be used to strengthen the abdominal wall, followed by stitches. In comparison to an open hernia repair, this method has a significantly shorter recovery time.
• Robotic hernia repair surgery: this type of surgery too uses a laparoscope, but instead of performing the operation themselves, the surgeons use a console to handle the surgical instruments and perform the actions.

In the following sections, we will discuss open repair surgery, the oldest way to repair a hernia.

What is an Open Repair Surgery, and How is it Performed?

An open repair hernia surgery is performed under anesthesia and involves making a 2- to 4-inch incision near the groin hernia to identify the bulge protruding through the abominable wall. The bulge, known as the hernia sac, is identified, separated from other structures in the abdominal wall, and pushed back into the abdomen.

In most cases, surgeons use prosthetic mesh to strengthen the defect in the abdominal wall to prevent the hernia from occurring again. After the repair is complete, the incisions will be closed with staples or stitches. These typically dissolve on their own within a few days.

Postoperative pain is usually not severe after hernia surgeries, and most pain can be controlled with acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Most surgeons allow their patients to leave the hospital the same day after they urinated and their pain has been controlled. However, since your painkillers might make you drowsy after surgery, it's best not to drive yourself home afterward. 

Post-Surgery Care

It is normal to experience some sort of bruising in the groin area after the surgery. If you notice increased swelling, contact your doctor.

Doctors typically recommend resuming normal activities gradually after surgery. It's not a good idea to remain bedridden for an extended period, as it may result in constipation or blood clots. Don't forget to follow your doctor's instructions regarding physical activities like bending and lifting.

After surgery, the first bowel movement may occur within 1 - 5 days. During this time, you can expect to pass a lot more gas from your rectum than usual. Many patients also experience diarrhea or loose stools in the first days following hernia repair, but in most cases, the problem resolves over time.

In case your experience high fever, chills, and increasing pain consult your doctor immediately. 

Risks of Open Hernia Repair Surgery

Like laparoscopy, open hernia repair surgery too is considered safe and works well in most cases. However, some of the risks include incisional surgical site infection, mesh infection, bleeding, and pulmonary and cardiovascular complications.

Open Repair Hernia Surgery vs. Laparoscopy: Which Is Better?

Laparoscopic surgery offers less pain because of smaller cuts and an earlier return to normal activities than open repair surgery. The muscle damage in the body during this surgery is significantly less as well. This approach, however, requires general anesthesia and is more expensive than open repair surgery. 

Open repair surgery, on the other hand, can take a longer time to heal but is inexpensive. 

There are several factors to consider when choosing a technique to repair a hernia:

• Your health - if you have been treated for a hernia before but the condition has returned, then laparoscopy is the preferred approach. However, if your health does not allow you to safely have general anesthesia, then an open repair surgery might be performed. 
• Your doctor - it is advised to go for the approach your doctor has specialized in to be careful. Laparoscopy is more advanced than open repair surgery; thus, your surgeon should have decent experience with it to perform it successfully. 

We have a highly successful team of surgeons who specialize in laparoscopy at Hernia Innovations. Book a consultation with one of our experts today to get yourself treated.