The inguinal hernia is the most common form of hernia. It occurs due to some weakness or tear in the muscles of the abdominal wall, through which a part of intra-abdominal tissue such as fat and part of the intestine protrudes into the groin. Although hernias are not life-threatening, in the majority of cases their surgical repair is considered imperative to avoid complications that may endanger the patient’s life, such as ischemia. For the repair of the condition, the laparoscopic technique is widely preferred, as the benefits of laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery outweigh.
Why does an inguinal hernia develop?
An inguinal hernia occurs due to wear and tear of the muscles that hold the intra-abdominal organs in place due to strain or advanced age. There are several reasons why an inguinal hernia develops, including muscle weakness due to aging, chronic cough and chronic constipation, heavy lifting, heavy manual labor, and pregnancy. A family history of developing an inguinal hernia may also be a factor in the development of the condition. Any form of hernia can worsen over time if left untreated.
How is inguinal hernia laparoscopy surgery performed?
The laparoscopic method is a minimally invasive surgical technique that offers significant advantages over traditional open surgery. Inguinal hernia laparoscopic surgery is performed under general anesthesia after the surgeon makes tiny incisions. The procedure is performed using a small instrument called a laparoscope. This instrument contains a camera and a light source so that the surgeon can see inside the abdomen without having to make large incisions. The surgeon performs the entire procedure observing his manipulations through the camera. The laparoscope, which is connected to the video camera, gives the surgeon a magnified, more accurate view of the patient’s abdominal area. The image of the inside of the abdomen is transferred to a high-definition screen. Then, special surgical tools are used which are inserted through the remaining small incisions.
What are the benefits of laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery?
The benefits of laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery are significant for the patient, as this particular technique is painless and requires smaller incisions. This significantly speeds up the recovery time and the patient can return to their daily work just a few days after the operation, while significantly reducing the patient’s hospitalization. Also, there are less chances of the condition recurring. In open surgery, the hospital stay as well as the recovery period is prolonged.
Unlike the large incision required in open surgery to repair an inguinal hernia, the laparoscopic method requires three tiny incisions through which the laparoscope is inserted to repair the muscle tear in the abdominal wall, resulting in minimal post-operative pain and bleeding and a excellent aesthetic result. At the same time, the exposure of the internal organs to external pollutants is reduced, therefore the risk of post-operative infections is minimized, while the possibility of repairing multiple hernias with a single operation is provided. Consequently, the benefits of inguinal hernia laparoscopic surgery make it the preferred treatment option for the condition, and the General Surgeons in Athens practice it widely.
