Reducing Your Risk of Hernia After Laparoscopic Surgery
Laparoscopic or minimally invasive surgery offers many benefits like smaller incisions, shorter recovery times and less pain compared to open surgery. However, laparoscopic procedures also come with a higher risk of developing a postoperative hernia.
A hernia occurs when an internal organ or tissue protrudes through a weakened spot in the surrounding muscle or connective tissue. Hernias can cause pain, digestive issues and serious complications if not treated. There are several precautions you can take to lower your risk of hernia after laparoscopic surgery.
Why Laparoscopic Surgery Increases Hernia Risk
During laparoscopic surgery, the surgeon makes a few small incisions in the abdomen to insert instruments and a camera. This approach avoids a major incision through abdominal muscles, which is needed for open surgery.
However, smaller laparoscopic incisions cut through abdominal wall layers, creating areas of potential weakness. In open surgery, the larger incision injures more nerves, which triggers robust tissue healing during recovery. The smaller laparoscopic incisions provoke less nerve damage and tissue regrowth.
Additional factors like older age, obesity, poor nutrition, diabetes, smoking and improper lifting can all impede adequate healing after laparoscopic procedures. This raises the risk of an incisional hernia if the abdomen is not given time to fully recover.
Preparing for Surgery to Lower Hernia Risk
Your actions before surgery can influence healing and hernia prevention after laparoscopy. Here are some pre-surgery tips:
Achieve a Healthy Weight
Excess weight adds pressure on abdominal tissues and impedes healing. Losing weight if obese or overweight reduces hernia risk after laparoscopy.
Improve Nutrition
Eat a balanced diet rich in protein, vitamins and minerals to give your body the resources it needs to regenerate tissue after surgery. Protein is especially important for wound healing.
Quit Smoking
Smoking restricts blood flow, resulting in poorly oxygenated tissue that cannot heal optimally. Quit smoking for at least several weeks before and after surgery.
Control Other Medical Conditions
Conditions like diabetes, autoimmune disorders and atherosclerosis inhibit normal healing. Work with your doctors to stabilize any medical issues prior to your procedure.
Medications to Avoid
Certain drugs also impact healing. Avoid NSAIDs like ibuprofen which may impede tissue regrowth. Check with your surgeon about stopping any medications that could interfere with recovery.
Optimizing Recovery After Surgery
How you take care of your body immediately after laparoscopic surgery also influences hernia prevention. Follow these tips:
Rest Appropriately
Get adequate rest to conserve energy for healing, but avoid long periods of inactivity which can weaken abdominal tissues. Light walking can encourage blood flow to the incision sites.
No Heavy Lifting
Do not lift anything over 10 pounds for at least 6-8 weeks after surgery to allow abdominal tissues to fully knit back together.
Support Incision Sites
Wear an abdominal binder or compression wrap to provide extra support to healing laparoscopic incisions when moving around or coughing.
Follow Activity Restrictions
Avoid straining activities like exercise, sex, constipation/straining during bowel movements and heavy housework during initial recovery. Ease back into normal activity gradually.
Good Nutrition
Eat a nutritious diet and stay hydrated to provide your body with the building blocks it requires for incision healing and tissue regeneration after laparoscopy.
Do Not Smoke
Refrain from smoking after surgery, as it will restrict blood flow and oxygen to your healing incision sites.
See Your Surgeon
Schedule recommended follow-up visits with your surgeon to monitor incision sites for proper healing and get advice on safely progressing your activity levels.
Warning Signs of Hernia After Laparoscopy
Watch for any of the following signs of a potential hernia following laparoscopic surgery and contact your surgeon right away if noticed:
Bulge Near Incision
A noticeable bulge around your laparoscopic incision sites may indicate an underlying hernia defect.
Pain or Discomfort
New pain, pressure, heaviness or discomfort around an abdominal incision can signify a hernia, especially if it worsens with movement or straining.
Difficulty Urinating
Trouble passing urine or an obstructed urine stream could mean a hernia is compressing other structures like the bladder.
Swollen Abdomen
Increased abdominal swelling shortly after laparoscopy may hint at fluid or tissue pushing through an incisional defect.
Feeling of Fullness
A constant sense of fullness in your abdomen following surgery could indicate a hernia.
Weakness in Abdominal Area
New feelings of weakness or instability around laparoscopy incisions warrant investigation for possible hernia formation.
When to Seek Medical Care
You should call your surgeon right away if you have any concerning symptoms or believe you feel a hernia starting to develop after laparoscopic surgery. Waiting to seek care could allow the hernia to enlarge and become more difficult to repair.
Seek prompt medical attention if a hernia causes:
- Severe or worsening pain
- Difficulty having a bowel movement or passing gas
- Nausea/vomiting
- Fever
Signs like these could mean the hernia has become trapped or strangulated, cutting off blood flow. This represents a medical emergency requiring urgent treatment.
Undergoing Hernia Repair Surgery
If you do develop a hernia after laparoscopic surgery, the only cure is surgical repair. Today, many hernia surgeries are performed laparoscopically as outpatient procedures.
The surgeon inserts a surgical mesh into the defect through small incisions to close the weak spot and provide reinforcement. This prompts new tissue to grow into the mesh for durable repair.
Recovering after hernia surgery involves activity restrictions, pain management and wound care. Your surgeon will provide detailed instructions to support optimal healing.
Preventing Hernia After Laparoscopy
While not every hernia can be avoided, following your surgeons recommendations diligently both before and after laparoscopic surgery can lower your risk. Key tips include:
- Attaining a healthy weight
- Eating a balanced, nutrient-rich diet
- Refraining from smoking
- Supporting incisions with wraps or binders
- Avoiding strain and heavy lifting during initial recovery
- Inspecting incisions routinely for signs of hernia
Tell your surgeon about any symptoms like pain or bulging near laparoscopic incisions for prompt treatment. With proper care and close monitoring, you can minimize the likelihood of developing this common postoperative complication.
FAQs
Why does laparoscopic surgery increase the risk of hernia?
Smaller laparoscopic incisions provoke less nerve damage and tissue regrowth compared to open surgery. This leaves potential weak spots in the abdomen wall muscles.
What are the signs of a hernia after laparoscopy?
Watch for symptoms like pain, swelling, feeling of fullness, bulge near incision, difficulty urinating, and weakness in the abdomen.
How can I lower my hernia risk before surgery?
Tips include losing excess weight, eating a nutrient-rich diet, quitting smoking, controlling other medical conditions, and avoiding medications that impair healing.
What should I avoid after laparoscopic surgery?
Do not lift anything heavy, have sex, strain during bowel movements, or engage in strenuous exercise during the initial recovery period.
How is a hernia repaired after laparoscopic surgery?
Most hernia repair surgeries are performed laparoscopically. The surgeon inserts a surgical mesh into the defect to reinforce the weakness.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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