Does all Hernias require Surgery?

In general, hernias that are at risk for complications, that cause pain, or that limit activity should be repaired. If they are not repaired, there is a risk that an emergency surgical procedure may be required at a later date.

 Under certain circumstances the hernia may be watched and followed closely. These situations are unique to those individuals who are at high operative risks (i.e. those with severe heart or lung disease, or bleeding problems). Of course, even in the high risk person, if the symptoms become severe or if strangulation occurs, then an operation must be performed.

Serious complications from a hernia can result from the trapping of contents in the hernia -- a process called incarceration. Trapped or incarcerated tissues may have their blood supply cut off, leading to strangulation resulting in gangrene or death of the content,usually small intestine.This warrants Emergency Surgery.                                   

There is no acceptable nonsurgical medical treatment for a hernia. The use of a truss (hernia belt) can help keep the hernia from bulging but eventually will fail. The hernia will not go away without treatment; it will only get bigger. The bigger the defect the bigger the operation required to fix it.

The team of Surgeons at Vasavi hospitals are specialists in Laparoscopic repair of hernias.Patients are admitted the same day of their surgery. Following the procedure and recovery from anesthesia, they are taken to a hospital room where they spend the night. Most patients are discharged the next day following surgery. Patients are then seen, by the surgeon, one week after discharge.