Laparoscopic Hernia Surgery in Kolkata: Here is what you need to know:

What is Hernia?

A hernia is a gap in the abdominal wall that develops from a weakness in the muscle layer. This weakness allows abdominal fatty tissues or sometimes the intestines to protrude into the opening. If not treated, hernias can cause serious complications like intestinal obstruction and/or loss of blood supply to the herniated organ leading to gangrene and sepsis.

What are the types of Hernia?

Following are the types of abdominal wall hernias. All these hernias can be repaired through laparoscopy method.

• Ventral hernia (eg. Umbilical hernia, Epigastric Hernia, Spigelian hernia & Incisional hernia)
• Groin hernia (eg. inguinal hernia, femoral hernia & obturator hernia)

Types of Hernia Surgery

Now-a-days hernias are treated mostly by laparoscopic method, although the surgeon may perform open (conventional) hernia repair depending upon the medical condition of the patient. Different types of surgeries performed for hernia repair are

• IPOM
• IPOM plus
• TAPP
• TEP
• eTEP-RS
• eTEP-TAR
• SCOLA
• Component separation (Anterior/ Posterior)
• Open / conventional mesh hernia repair

What is Laparoscopic Hernia Surgery?

Laparoscopic hernia surgery in Kolkata uses a laparoscope (a thin telescope-like instrument), that is inserted through a small incision at the umbilicus (belly button). The laparoscope is connected to a tiny video camera, smaller than a dime, that projects an “inside view” of your body in the LCD screens in the operating room. Another two small incisions are used to introduce long and slender surgical instruments to dissect the hernial sac and close the hernial defect and to place the Mesh.

During the whole procedure abdomen is kept inflated with a harmless gas (carbon dioxide). This gas creates space to allow the surgeon to view and work from inside of your abdomen. The peritoneum (the inner layer of the abdomen) is cut to expose the weakness in the abdominal wall. Mesh is placed on the inside to cover the defects in the abdominal wall and to strengthen the tissue. This intraperitoneal on lay mesh is fixed with either sutures or tack or both.

After the procedure is completed, the small abdominal incisions are closed with a stitch or two or with surgical tape. Within a few months, the incisions will be barely visible.

What are the risks of laparoscopic hernia surgery ?

Like any surgery, laparoscopic hernia surgery has some risks, but these are rare:

• Bleeding and hematoma,
• Seroma formation,
• Complications of anesthesia,
• Port site infection.
• Peritonitis (inflammation and infection in the abdomen).

What is the recovery time after Laparoscopic Hernia Surgery ?

After an uncomplicated Laparoscopic Hernia Surgery, patient can go home the same day or within 24hrs of operation. In complicated or difficult cases it may take 2 to 3days hospital stay.

What should be the care at home after Laparoscopic Hernia Surgery?

After laparoscopic hernia surgery these are the things to be followed…

• Avoid lifting heavy weight, avoid seating in floor.
• To drink plenty of water and liquids.
• Eat foods high in fiber to help bowel movements.
• Keep the wound dry and clean.
• Slowly increase your activity.

When can one go back to normal activities after Laparoscopic Hernia Surgery in Kolkata?

Without complications, one should be able to walk and eat normally in one to two days after Laparoscopic Hernia Surgery. One usually can return to work and other daily activities in about a week, as long as they don’t involve lifting weight and seating in a floor. You may need a week or two before you are physically or sexually active.