Treatment for Hernias

Treatment for an Inguinal Hernia

The main treatment for inguinal hernia is surgery to repair the opening in the muscle wall. This surgery is called herniorrhaphy. Sometimes the weak area is reinforced with a mesh type material. This operation is called hernioplasty. If the protruding intestine becomes twisted or traps stool, part of the intestine might need to be removed. This surgery is called bowel resection. (Bowel is another word for intestine.)

Laparoscopic Hernia repair involves three or four small (approx. ¼ inch) incisions. Through these incisions a laparoscope (a tiny telescope connected to a camera) and two to three laparoscopic instruments are inserted to allow the surgeon to work “inside” the body. The hernia is repaired from behind the abdominal wall. A small piece of surgical mesh is placed over the hernia defect and held in place with small surgical staples.

Symptoms after Surgery that Require Physician Attention

• Persistent fever over 101 degrees
• Bleeding
• Increasing abdominal or groin swelling
• Pain that is not relieved by OTC medications
• Persistent nausea or vomiting
• Inability to urinate
• Chills
• Persistent cough or shortness of breath
• Purulent drainage (pus) from any incision
• Redness surrounding any of your incisions that is worsening or getting bigger
• You are unable to eat or drink liquids