Dear irwinito-ga;
Thank you for allowing me an opportunity to answer your interesting
question.
I suspect that the reason you are having trouble finding the
information you need, or if you have been told that arthroscopic
surgery is not used for your particular ailment, is largely due to
confusion in terminology. Arthroscopic surgery is generally reserved
for orthopedics maladies and other similarly close quarter procedures.
What you have learned or what you have been told is, in fact, correct
- this technique is “not” used for hernia operations. Laparoscopic
techniques, however, are commonly used for this procedure and, indeed,
a host of other operations involving the abdomen, where a much larger
cavity is being addressed.
An inguinal hernia can be corrected using this less invasive
laparoscopic surgery. This involves the insertion of a thin,
telescope-like instrument called a laparoscope, through a small
incision in the navel. The laparoscope is connected to a tiny video
camera that shows the affected area on a monitor in the operating
room. The abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide (a relatively
harmless gas) to expand the abdominal cavity allowing the surgeon
access the area in question. Two more small incisions are made near
the navel through which the surgeon will insert very narrow surgical
instruments. The surgeon uses these instruments to open the
peritoneum, the inner lining of the abdomen, and to expose the
weakened area. A mesh patch, similar to the one your doctor described,
is also used in this procedure to reinforce the weakened area, thus
correcting the herniated tissue. Following the procedure, the small
incisions are closed with sutures and covered with surgical tape.
Following the operation you will experience some mild pain from the
small incisions your surgeon made to perform the procedure and perhaps
some tenderness in the area of the former hernia. In about 3-5 hours
you will be released to a relative or friend (because your mind may
not yet be completely free enough of anesthesia for you to drive
yourself home safely) barring any unforeseen complications. Once you
are at home you can expect to have recovered enough within two or
three days to return to a basically normal routine. If you exercise or
play non-contact sports you can also resume these activities to some
degree but be prepared; though you may not be totally “out of action”
as you put it following this procedure as opposed to the more invasive
method, you will have to take it easy for 2-4 weeks not matter what
type of surgery is used to correct this problem. In only a few months,
the surgical incisions will be barely visible. The one in your navel
may even be virtually undetectable. The side effects are much the same
as any abdominal laparoscopic surgery. As for side effects of the
operation itself, some people complain that residual gases used to
expand the abdomen for surgery sometimes get trapped in the abdominal
cavity and they experience a bit of discomfort (described in much the
same was as the discomfort felt with pleurisy) in the chest and
shoulder areas in the hours following the procedure, but it isn’t
severe and it dissipates rather quickly thereafter.
As for an MRI, this decision is not one that I can help you with in
accordance to Google Answers policy. As you might imagine, we cannot
give medical advice, but we can report on known facts, as I have done
in the explanation above. Your comment about applying pressure to the
protrusion and the fact that it does not return when you “bear down”
has me deeply concerned however. At the risk of exceeding my authority
with regard to advice let me say this: it is not a safe practice to
try and manipulate this protrusion! I don’t mean to frighten you but
it is possible, in theory at least, to rupture this bulge by applying
pressure to it or by “bearing down” on it. It may in fact be a portion
of your bladder, or even a part of intestine, and such an injury has
the potential to cause life-threatening peritonitis. The surgical
incision to correct this condition can be massive and recovery would
be protracted to say the least. Furthermore, this “bearing down” that
you are speaking of can lead to more complications. Not only can it
case the opening to become larger it can also lead to “strangulation”.
A strangulated (or incarcerated, as it is sometimes called) hernia
occurs when the abdominal contents (intestines, bladder, or whatever
it may be that is protruding through the opening) that have ruptured
through the hernia becomes trapped and cannot be reduced back into the
abdomen on its own. The problem with isolating a portion of the
intestine outside the abdominal lining is that the blood supply to
this segment of bowel can be compromised and that portion of bowel
could die, become infected and cause you several days of
hospitalization. Usually a strangulated hernia does cause pain but not
every instance. If it ever does bulge out and does not return on its
own or you unusually marked pain in that area that you have not
experienced before, you should probably contact your doctor. In the
meantime I would discontinue this practice and try not to do any
strenuous activity that might place additional strain on this area.
Ok, enough with the horror stories. Let’s get back to the less
invasive option. Patients often opt for this procedure because of the
obvious benefits. You will have three tiny scars instead of one large
abdominal scar, it requires a shorter hospital stay (you may leave the
same day or the day after surgery), there is reduced postoperative
pain, a shorter recovery time (days instead of weeks) and of course a
quicker return to daily activities, including work. Even more
impressive is that many hospitals report a less than 1% recurrence
rate using this technique. You can follow the search strategy that I
have defines for you and find much more information on this subject
and other issues that I have discussed.
I once shared your concern as my wife an I were faced with this same
decision some years ago when she had gall bladder surgery. We chose
laparoscopic surgery and I am happy to say that we were quite pleased
with the results. She did complain some about the residual gas pain
following the procedure but once her body absorbed what little gas
that was left behind the sensation went away entirely.
I hope you find that that my research exceeds your expectations. If
you have any questions about my research please post a clarification
request prior to rating the answer. Otherwise, I welcome your rating
and your final comments and I look forward to working with you again
in the near future.
Best regards;
Tutuzdad-ga
INFORMATION SOURCES
“LAPAROSCOPIC INGUINAL HERNIA REPAIR”
http://www.lapsurgery.com/hernia.htm
“Minimally Invasive Surgery Center”
http://www.clevelandclinic.org/misc/surgical/general/hernia.htm
“Hernia Information Home Page”
http://www.hernia.org/
“Male Health: Exercise”
http://www.malehealth.co.uk/keyinfo/strangulated_hernia.htm
“What is an Inguinal Hernia?”
http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/1800/1809.asp?index=8099
“Hernia Terms & Vocabulary”
http://hernia.tripod.com/vocab.html
“Inguinal Hernia”
http://hernia.tripod.com/inguinal.html
“Hernia Surgery: A New Look...A Speedier Recovery”
http://www.winthrop.org/newsroom/publications/vol10_no1_2000/corner3.cfm
SEARCH STRATEGY
SEARCH ENGINE USED:
Google ://www.google.com
SEARCH TERMS USED:
Laparoscopic surgery
Arthroscopic surgery
Hernia
Hernia surgery techniques
Men’s health hernia
Less invasive hernia
Treatment of hernia
Indirect inguinal hernia
Surgery inguinal hernia
Laparoscopic surgery inguinal hernia |
