An inguinal hernia is an abnormal discharge of the serous membrane covering the walls of the abdominal cavity into the internal space of the inguinal canal. It refers to ventral or hernias of the abdominal wall. Pathology is not life threatening, however, it gives the patient aesthetic and physical discomfort.
Gernioraphia is the only possible therapy. Among the many surgical strategies, laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery is the current and most common method. Such an intervention is the least traumatic and has a short rehabilitation period.
What is a laparoscopic inguinal hernia operation ?
Despite its complex name, the manipulation is minimally invasive, often used and recognized by many countries of the world.
Endovideo surgical correction of abnormal protrusion of the peritoneum is called laparoscopy of an inguinal hernia. Surgical manipulation is performed on the abdominal cavity using a medical optical device - a laparoscope. The device is a telescopic tube equipped with lenses and connected to a video camera.
Small punctures are made on the stomach (no more than 1.5 cm). Through them, a laparoscope is inserted into the abdominal cavity. The equipment is equipped with digital matrices, which makes it possible to obtain a high-quality image. The optics increase, almost like under a microscope, and allows you to see the organ being operated from different sides. This allows you to better perform the operation.
The essence of laparoscopy is that the abdominal defect is sutured with a sealing suture, which prevents the abdominal organs from falling into the hernial sac.
Indications for surgery
Peritoneal protrusion is treated with various surgical methods. Which one will be used is determined after diagnosis. Indications for laparoscopy of inguinal hernia in men and women are almost the same:
- The main type of labor activity of the patient is associated with intense physical activity.
- Persons regularly involved in sports and participating in competitions.
- Overweight people.
- The need for a short rehabilitation period with the possibility of a speedy return to work.
- The presence of postoperative sutures is unacceptable due to aesthetic requirements for work (patient actor, model) or personal desire.
- Treatment of a hernia in a child.
- The size of the protrusion of the abdominal wall should not exceed 20 cm.
Laparoscopy is prescribed after the patient undergoes all diagnostic measures. The patient should not have an allergic reaction to chemicals related operations. This method cannot be applied if a person has diseases that are contraindications to endovideosurgical correction.
When is the application of the method undesirable?
Laparoscopic surgery to remove an inguinal hernia has a list of health conditions in which the use of this method is unacceptable. Contraindications are common:
- inflammatory and infectious processes;
- intolerance to anesthetics;
- disruption of the hemostatic system;
- pregnancy (all trimesters);
- arterial hypertension;
- peritonitis;
- impaired renal and hepatic function.
There are also local contraindications for laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery.
- Phlegmonous inflammation.
- Infringement of a ventral hernia.
- Bowel obstruction.
- Scars from previous operations.
Also, this method is not suitable for people with cardiovascular pathologies and respiratory system disorders. Diagnosis can reveal a patient’s disease, laparoscopy in which, according to the doctor, is a risk.
Advantages of the method
Laparoscopy, although minimally invasive, but still a surgical method of treatment. The procedure, like any other, has positive and negative sides. Before making a final decision, the patient must consider not only the advantages, but also the disadvantages of the method.
Advantages are:
- minor injuries;
- a short period of stay in the hospital (no more than 7 days);
- short rehabilitation period;
- lack of scars and large scars;
- high accuracy of the procedure;
- the patient quickly begins to eat on their own;
Laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery reduces the likelihood of a return of the disease to 2%. Due to all the advantages mentioned, among all surgical methods, this procedure is preferred. The only exceptions are the presence of contraindications or the patient's refusal to perform hernia laparoscopy.
disadvantages
From the point of view of the effectiveness of treatment, the procedure has indisputable advantages. But, according to surgeons, the mechanism for performing laparoscopy is much more complicated, compared to the classical ones - open:
- Distorted, distinctive perception of distance.
- Inside the operated area, only a tool operated by a surgeon outside works. The inability to perform manipulations directly with your hands provokes the occurrence of injuries.
- Laparoscopy requires special skills and dexterity, which are difficult and long to learn.
How to prepare for surgery
As you know, any operation is not only surgical manipulations, preparation for it plays a very important role:
- 2 weeks before laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery in men and women, the collection of all tests begins.
- The doctor prescribes a course of medicines that thin the blood. The patient must fully comply with the schedule of admission, any changes must first be discussed with a specialist.
- For several days they reduce the amount of food consumed, take sorbents and laxatives.
- The patient takes a shower using antibacterial agents and treats the navel area well with a cotton swab.
- A few hours before the operation, the use of food and liquid is excluded.
- Before the procedure, make a cleansing enema.
How is laparoscopic surgery
Laparoscopic hernioplasty is performed under endotracheal endotracheal general anesthesia.
The skin of the abdomen is treated with antiseptic agents and three incisions are made. They are performed with a tube called a trocar. The largest is produced vertically 2 cm below the navel. Through it, the abdominal cavity is filled with carbon dioxide. A laparoscope equipped with a halogen lamp and a tiny camera is introduced into the same hole. Visually determine the nature of tissue damage that provoked a hernia and the presence of pathologies of the abdominal viscera.
Through the remaining incisions, trocars are introduced. To introduce hernia removal tools through them. In one, a clip is passed, which will press the mesh implant to the hernia gate. In the second trocar, a device is launched to fix the mesh to the muscles of the peritoneum using titanium clips.
The protruded peritoneum is adjusted, and the lumen is closed with a mesh (its size is individual for each). The tool with which surgical procedures were performed is removed, the holes are sutured. The duration of the operation does not exceed 2 hours.
Rehabilitation period
In the first 24 hours after surgery, the patient is under the close supervision of doctors. It is recommended to stay in the hospital for 6-7 days, but usually the hospitalization period is not more than three days. The rehabilitation period, as a rule, does not last long, but requires compliance with certain recommendations.
The patient should monitor the cleanliness of dressings and traces of punctures. If pus or blood appears, consult a doctor immediately. Scheduled visits should not be missed.
You must follow a diet. With a laparoscopic inguinal hernia operation, alcohol, carbonated drinks, products that strengthen the stool and provoke gas formation must be excluded.
It will be necessary to refuse sports activities for half a year. It will be neatly necessary to relate to any physical activity and weight lifting (maximum 6 kg). But therapeutic exercises will speed up the recovery process.
Complications
Laparoscopic hernioplasty almost completely eliminates the risk of postoperative complications. Negative consequences may be associated with a violation of the mechanism of the procedure or with non-compliance with recommendations during the recovery period. Possible:
- Bleeding.
- Inflammatory processes in the area of sutures with a purulent substrate. This is due to non-compliance with sterility during and after surgery.
- After laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery, the scrotal edema may be due to damage to the spermatic cord.
- Intestinal damage with a trocar.
- Hypothermia can occur due to the use of cold dry gases during the operation.
Immediately after a person moves away from anesthesia, numbness and pain can occur. If during the day the discomfort is not like, you need to tell the doctor about it.
Relapse prevention
To avoid repeated laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery, preventive measures must be taken after the intervention. They will help not only prevent the appearance and development of abnormal protrusion of the peritoneum, but also improve health:
- Active moderately lifestyle.
- Enrichment of the diet with steamed fruits and vegetables, high fiber foods.
- When loading the abdominal muscles, wear a special bandage.
- Avoid obesity.
- It is highly advisable for women to wear a bandage during pregnancy.
- Men in order to avoid relapse should monitor the health of the genitourinary system.
Procedure cost
Endovascular surgical correction is a common and effective way to treat abdominal diseases. It is successfully used even by children. But the price of a laparoscopic inguinal hernia operation is rather high. It depends on the experience and skill of the surgeon, on the equipment of the instruments, the quality of the materials used, the reputation of the medical institution. For this procedure, you will have to pay at least 55 thousand rubles.
The cost is also affected by the neglect and complexity of the pathology. During the preparatory measures, additional tests or diagnostics may be required. Medications used for general anesthesia are also included.
Judging by the reviews, laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery is at least not a cheap but very effective treatment. People who were treated with this method, not only forgot about the pathology, but also returned to a full active lifestyle.