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Ventral hernias do not go away on their own and may even enlarge over time. Surgery is the preferred treatment method. Laparoscopic surgery is available for some patients to treat ventral hernias.
Patients will need to undergo preoperative testing and will only be allowed clear liquids until midnight the day before surgery and then nothing except their medications with a sip of water.
A laparoscope is inserted through a trocar (a small hollow tube) to enable the surgeon to see inside the body. Other small incisions allow various instruments to be inserted as well to remove any scar tissue and insert a surgical mesh into the abdomen. The mesh, or screen, is fixed under the hernia defect to the strong tissues of the abdominal wall. It is held in place with special surgical tacks and, in many instances, sutures (www.sages.org). The sutures, which go through the entire thickness of the abdominal wall, are then placed through smaller incisions around the circumference of the mesh.
Patients usually will be required to remain in the hospital just one night. Most often, post-operative pain will subside approximately several days to several weeks.
Compared to open surgery, laparoscopic ventral hernia offers less pos-operative pain, a shortened hospital stay, faster return to a regular diet and speedier return to normal activities.
Not everyone is a candidate for laparoscopic ventral hernia surgery. Talk to your doctor to see if this is an option or make an appointment by calling toll-free 1.877.UT.CARES (1.877.882.2737). |
