Laparoscopic hernia surgery is a minimally invasive procedure during which small surgical instruments and cameras are inserted through small incisions in the abdomen. During the procedure, the surgeon makes three or four small holes, including one under the belly button, and fills the abdominal cavity with gas to better see inside the body. Through one hole, an instrument with a camera attached to the end will be inserted, while the other holes accommodate tube-like instruments for cutting, grasping, and even stapling. The hernia is corrected using a type of synthetic mesh, which can be attached using staples, stitches, or glue.
Patients who undergo laparoscopic hernia surgery may benefit in several ways compared to patients going in for an open surgery. As with most minimally invasive surgeries the procedure takes less time to perform, lowering the risk of infection and scarring. It also is less painful, and most people can get back to normal activities soon after the operation is completed. In fact, a hospital stay is not necessary following a laparoscopic hernia surgery, so there’s no need to worry about the inconveniences and costs of being hospitalized.
While there’s generally no need for hospitalization, it is required to register with the hospital where the surgery will take place. A consultation with the patient's insurance company is recommended to make sure the procedure is covered under the plan, and this information must be disclosed to the hospital and surgeon. Completing these tasks should be done as much as ten days prior to the operation, and will make the process go smoother and lessen the chances of any delays. It is also important to follow the surgeon’s advice on preparing for laparoscopic hernia surgery, including not eating or drinking the night before the procedure.
After the surgery, some time in a post-operative recovery room is necessary until any drowsiness from the anesthesia wears off and it is possible to stand up and walk. There is soreness with any hernia repair surgery, but this usually subsides after the first couple of days. The most common complications of laparoscopic hernia surgery include bleeding and infection, both of which occur less frequently than after open surgeries. Injury to the urinary bladder, intestines, and blood vessels can result from the operation, and difficulty urinating is also a possibility. Even if laparoscopic hernia surgery has been performed, there is always the chance that the hernia can reform later on.
