The name of the disease "hernia" means the exit of the affected organ, or some part thereof, beyond the anatomical location through a pathological or physiological opening under the skin, into the muscle space or into adjacent organs. After treatment for inguinal hernia, the patient is assigned a recovery period. The quality of life of the patient and his general well-being will depend on the correct treatment of inguinal hernia in the postoperative period.
Defeat features
Inguinal hernia manifests itself in a protrusion of the inguinal region. The abdominal organs may be elements of the hernial sac : inclusions of the greater omentum, intestinal loop, peritoneum. Due to the peculiarities of the anatomical structure, such a lesion is most often found in men.
The inguinal canal in men is a slit-like opening between the muscles of the abdomen. In normal condition, the spermatic cord and nerve fibers are located in it. When pathological abnormalities occur, the inguinal canal begins to expand significantly, while an oblique or direct inguinal hernia forms.
There are a large number of methods for treating inguinal hernia. This includes conservative treatment, as well as surgical intervention. But the operation remains the most effective and high-quality method.
Hernia is removed under local or general anesthesia. During surgery, the specialist removes the hernial sac and strengthens the inguinal canal. Plastic surgery is also performed using muscles or an artificial polypropylene graft (in other words, a mesh).
After the end of the surgery, the patient begins the rehabilitation period, during which he is obliged to comply with all the basic recommendations of the doctor in order to avoid possible complications and further problems.
Body recovery time
The time to continue the postoperative period after inguinal hernia will directly depend on many factors, the main of which is the type of anesthesia. With local anesthesia, recovery is faster, and if there are no dangers and complications, in some hospitals the patient can be immediately released home after a few hours after the operation.
After the restoration of the patient's condition will take place on an outpatient basis. The patient must visit a doctor for examination and dressing. The specialist carefully monitors the entire postoperative period after inguinal hernia, in the presence of any complications, prescribes a specific treatment.
If for some reason the operation was not performed under local anesthesia, the rehabilitation period will be extended. In this case, the patient will be in the hospital for 3-5 days. In the postoperative period of inguinal-scrotal hernia, the doctor must examine the man’s body for edema, ask about the patient’s condition and identify possible complications. If the wound in the sutured area hurts and causes great discomfort to the patient, then the doctor prescribes painkillers.
Outpatient period
The outpatient period after the operation to remove the hernia continues in the man for several weeks. At this time, the patient is resting, gaining strength. Doctors in the hospital carefully monitor the patient's diet, daily routine and over time monitor the increase in the patient's motor activity.
The postoperative period of inguinal hernia in women and men passes, as a rule, without any special complications. In order not to harm his health, the patient should go to an appointment with a specialist on time and follow all his requirements. The doctor also controls the entire postoperative period after removal of the inguinal hernia, gives advice, in the presence of complications, hospitalizes the patient or prescribes additional therapy to him.
What is forbidden to do after surgery?
During the first 7 days after surgery, the postoperative suture will be very painful and bring discomfort. But this condition is quite normal. To reduce pain and sensitivity, in this case, the patient uses special painkillers prescribed by the doctor. The patient must remember the following prohibitions and rules:
- It is forbidden to lift a weight of more than 5 kilograms. Any physical activity after the operation can be started only after 5-7 days and only with minimal exertion.
- Conduct a special physiotherapy exercises developed by the attending specialist.
- If the doctor has prescribed the patient to wear a bandage, it is important to buy a special postoperative belt.
Seam care
Be sure to take care of the postoperative suture, monitor the state of hygiene. Immediately after the operation, the wound is treated by a doctor in the clinic. After outpatient treatment of the suture is carried out by the patient's relatives or by himself. In this case, the specialist will first give advice on the proper treatment of the wound.
Proper nutrition
Follow a proper diet. The menu should be balanced, it is forbidden to bring your body to a state of constipation or diarrhea. It is best to eat food in small amounts and fractionally (4-5 times a day). The diet should contain a large number of foods rich in protein. It can be found in chicken meat, dairy products, fish and mushrooms. Due to the large amount of protein, body tissues regenerate faster after surgery.
If a polypropylene mesh implant was used during the operation, the bandage should not be worn, since it does not bring any positive effect.
Possible complications
Inguinal hernia in the postoperative period in children and adults can lead to some complications. Most often this happens with the individual characteristics of the patient’s body, not following the doctor’s recommendations, in rare cases due to an error of the doctor who performed the procedure (iatrogenic complications).
Iatrogenic factors include the following:
- Deformation of the spermatic cord. It occurs due to the carelessness of the doctor, when the testes are touched during the excision of the hernia or the removal of the hernial sac. This can provoke problems with potency in men, worsen hormones and spermatogenesis, which as a result increases the risk of testicular atrophy and infertility.
- Wound infection. A rather dangerous complication, since it can provoke the onset of sepsis. In this case, the doctor prescribes antibiotics.
- Bleeding is a dangerous complication.
Additional complications
Additional complications in the postoperative period after inguinal hernia in men and women:
- Deep vein thrombosis of the lower leg (most often occurs in old people, as well as in inactive patients). The defeat provokes pain in the calf muscles, rapid fatigue of the legs. To avoid such a complication, thrombolytics and anticoagulants are prescribed.
- Dropsy of the testicle in men. It can be one-sided or two-sided. This condition can be detected quite easily, since with it the scrotum from the side of the lesion increases significantly. Complication needs to be repeated.
- Testicular edema. Most often appears after surgery, in some cases it passes without assistance. It is accompanied by pain in the testicle.
- Repeated hernia formation resulting from violation of the regime during the rehabilitation period: strong physical exertion on the body, lifting heavy objects or too sharp movements.
- The development of the infectious process in the suture area.
- Forcing a hematoma. To avoid this condition immediately after the operation, it is important to apply cold to the sore spot.
To avoid possible complications, the patient should follow the gentle regime of the day and clearly follow all the advice and requirements of a specialist.
In case of impaired motor activity, when playing sports in the early stages of the rehabilitation period, the postoperative suture can easily disperse, and a hematoma or repeated hernia may appear in the affected area.
Liechtenstein plastic
Many complications can be avoided by simply following the rules for the prevention of inguinal hernia (according to Liechtenstein) in the postoperative period. After plastic surgery (under general anesthesia), the initial recovery lasts several days, after the patient is discharged home, but for two weeks the attending surgeon carefully monitors his condition.
The patient should refuse physical education in the first few weeks after the procedure and regularly use the inguinal bandage in everyday life.
Installation of a hernia mesh
The postoperative period of inguinal hernia during surgery with a mesh will include the fulfillment of all the doctor's prescriptions. After an open operation, the patient should be in the clinic for 5-7 days under the supervision of a specialist. At this time, it is important to regularly change the dressings and handle the seams well.
In the postoperative period with a mesh with inguinal hernia in the presence of inflammation, the doctor prescribes antibiotics. If the patient complains of pain, then the doctor prescribes painkillers. After the patient returns home, it is necessary to follow the basic rules of postoperative care.
Diet after therapy
During the rehabilitation period, it is important to adhere to proper nutrition and carefully select products. Nutrition after surgery must be balanced, include all the necessary components for the human body and trace elements. It should be eaten often, but in small quantities. The main component in the diet that helps restore the human body is protein. During rehabilitation, the patient should consume low-fat cottage cheese, milk, buckwheat, eggs, fish, chicken meat.
Diet is used to restore the condition of the intestines and stomach. It is forbidden to eat food that can cause diarrhea or prolonged constipation. At first, experts prescribe the following dishes: light porridge, low-fat soups, mashed potatoes, boiled meat or fish.
It is important to exclude the following foods from food:
- fruits;
- confectionery;
- bean products;
- sweets, pastries;
- smoked, spicy and fatty foods;
- dairy products, yogurts.
It is important to remember that during recovery it is forbidden and dangerous to drink alcohol and smoke. Drink coffee and other coffee drinks carefully. Sweet drinks and soda are not recommended.
Sex life after surgery
Sex in the early stages of the recovery period can lead to a number of unpleasant complications, namely:
- severe pain;
- severe swelling;
- the appearance of hematomas;
- heavy bleeding;
- infection by infection;
- teething;
- a change in the position of the implant.
In the normal course of rehabilitation after an operation to remove an inguinal hernia, the absence of swelling, pain, discomfort, you can begin to engage in intimacy after a few weeks. But it is important to avoid pressure on the affected area and strong overvoltage.
You should also begin to perform special exercises that will help restore the patient's condition. When training, it is important to monitor your feelings. If you experience pain or discomfort, it is important to immediately stop exercising.
The load on the body is important to increase gradually. The number of repetitions will increase or decrease depending on the course of the recovery period. The use of any exercises is allowed only after consulting a doctor.