Laparoscopic Hernia Repair
A hernia occurs when part of the intestine protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. While a hernia isn’t necessarily dangerous, it can be very painful. Rarely, a hernia can cause a serious complication called strangulation, wherein tissue gets trapped inside the hernia and gets cut off from its blood supply. While surgery may not be necessary if you are not bothered by it, surgery is the only way to repair a hernia.
If you are experiencing severe discomfort, or your hernia has become larger, your doctor may recommend surgery to repair the hernia. Dignity Health Sacramento laparoscopic specialists offer patients the option of minimally invasive laparoscopic hernia repair.
Inguinal vs. Ventral Hernia
The most common places for a hernia to occur are in the groin (inguinal) and at the site of a previous surgery (incisional or ventral).
- Inguinal hernias: The most frequent type of hernia, and usually occurs more in men than in women. A bulge appears in the lower abdomen, just above the crease of the leg.
- Ventral hernia: A bulge in any area of the abdominal wall, often forming at a site of past surgical incisions.
How Does Laparoscopic Hernia Repair Differ from Traditional Surgery?
In conventional open surgery, a large incision is made so the surgeon can repair the hernia.
In contrast, Dignity Health surgeons perform minimally invasive laparoscopic hernia repair with only a few small incisions:
- The incisions are made in the abdomen, above the belly button.
- Through one incision, the surgeon passes a tube and harmless carbon dioxide gas inflates the abdominal cavity for better visualization.
- The surgeon inserts a small camera (laparoscope) through another incision, and the inside of the abdominal cavity can be seen on a large monitor in the operating room.
- The peritoneum (the inner lining of your abdomen) is cut to expose the weakness in the abdominal wall.
- The surgeon will use a mesh patch to cover the weak spot in the abdominal wall, and staples or stitches will close the abdominal incisions.
Laparoscopic hernia repair is performed while you are under general anesthesia and may be performed as an outpatient procedure.
Why Choose Dignity Health for Minimally Invasive Surgery?
Dignity Health’s board-certified surgeons in Sacramento have undergone extensive fellowship training in advanced laparoscopic techniques, including robotic surgery. This combination of skill and technology offers patients of all ages a host of potential benefits, including:
- Less chance of recurrent hernia
- Ability to repair bilateral hernias in just one surgery
- Shorter hospital stay
- Faster recovery
- Less blood loss, pain and scarring
- Less risk of infection and post-operative complications