A hernia occurs when an organ or internal tissue breaks through a hole in the muscles. Hernia repair surgery or herniorrhaphy involves returning the displaced tissues to their proper position. Hernioplasty is a type of hernia repair surgery where a mesh patch is sewn over the weakened region of tissue.
How long is a hernia surgery?
The operation usually takes about 30 to 45 minutes to complete and you’ll usually be able to go home on the same day. Some people stay in hospital overnight if they have other medical problems or live on their own.
Is hernia repair surgery painful?
After hernia repair surgery, it is common to experience mild to moderate pain and to feel a little run down.
It’s also normal to feel pulling or twinges in the affected area as you heal. Most people, however, feel better within a few days and much better within a week of surgery.
Umbilical Hernia Repair
In adults, a painful and enlarged bulge is usually treated with surgery. Surgery can prevent further complications of the hernia which can occur due to strangulation.
However, in children, the hernia generally resolves by 18 months. Your doctor may wait for a while before suggesting surgery. Indications for recommending surgical repair in children include:
- Painful, trapped or strangulated hernia
- Hernia fails to close by 5 or 6 years
- Large hole near the navel (greater than 1 inch in diameter)
Your surgeon may perform either open surgery or keyhole surgery (laparoscopy) for repairing the umbilical hernia. Laparoscopy may be recommended if the hernia has reappeared after prior surgery. Surgery can be performed under general or local anesthesia. However, local anesthesia is given to adults with small hernias and in whom general anesthesia may not be safe.
Open surgery: Your surgeon will make a single incision of 2 to 3 cm below the navel and push the protruded part into your abdomen. The weakened spot of the abdominal wall will then be stitched with sutures. In cases of large hernias, your surgeon may place a mesh patch for strengthening the weak abdominal wall. The skin will be sutured with dissolvable stitches and a dressing will be applied to the wounded area.
Keyhole surgery (laparoscopy): Your surgeon will make two to three small incisions away from the bulge and insert a laparoscope (a fiber-optic tube with a light source and camera attached to it) and other special instruments through the incisions. The bulge will be pushed into the abdominal cavity, and the abdominal wall will either be stitched or a mesh will be placed to support the weak part of your abdominal wall.