The condition:
A hernia, sometimes referred to as a rupture,
occurs when a part of an internal organ,
sometimes the bowel, pushes through a weak
point in the abdominal wall.
Inguinal hernia is the most common type of
hernia, and twenty times more common in men
than in women. It is likely that about 1 in 20 men
will develop an inguinal hernia. The inguinal
canal is in the groin. The first signs of a hernia
are pain and/or a lump.
The operation:
Laparoscopic repair
Laparoscopy or key-hole surgery is performed
under general anaesthetic. Small cuts are made
in the abdomen. Instruments are pushed into the
holes and carbon dioxide gas is blown into the
abdomen to lift the abdominal wall away from the
internal organs so that the surgeon has a good
view.
A nylon mesh is sewn and/or stapled in place
over the weak area. The instruments are
removed and the gas is allowed to escape before
stitching or stapling the cuts together.
Risks of the procedure:
There are some risks/ complications. See patient
information sheet- “Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia
Repair” for detailed information about the risks
involved.
(a) The television method may fail and the surgeon
may need to do open surgery.
(b) Damage to large blood vessels, gut or bladder
when the sharp trocar and cannula are inserted.
(c) Rarely gas, which is fed into the abdominal cavity,
can cause heart and lung complications.
(d) Trouble passing urine after the operation due to
spasm of the bladder sphincter.
(e) Swelling of the testicle and scrotum in male
patients. Also the penis may show bruising. The
testicle may stop making sperm and it may
shrink.
(f) The tube carrying sperm from the testicle to the
prostate may be injured. This results in partial
vasectomy and may reduce fertility.
(g) One of the small nerves in the groin can be cut
or caught in a stitch or scar causing long term
burning and aching in the groin.
(h) The testicle may sit a little higher in the scrotum
after surgery.
(i) The wound may become infected.
(j) Possible bleeding into the wound after the
surgery. This can cause swelling, bruising, blood
stained discharge.
(k) Adhesions (bands of scar tissue) may form and
cause bowel obstruction.
(l) The scar can thicken, turn red and may be
painful. This is permanent and can be
disfiguring.
(m) The hernia may come back. Further surgery may
be needed to repair the hernia.
(n) Hernia formation where instruments were
passed into the abdomen.
(o) Increased risk in obese patients of wound
infection, chest infection, heart and lung
complications and thrombosis.