Laparoscopic Hernia Repair

Laparoscopic Surgery involves application of special equipment, the laparoscope – which basically  a tiny camera, flashlight and few other trinkets on a rod. A small incision (5-15 mm) is made, through which laparoscope is used to observe the surgery site. Specialized tools are then used to access the site in a similar fashion, and to repair herniation with the help of surgical mesh implant.

When and why this surgery is required? 

Inguinal hernia is a protrusion of abdominal cavity organs (typically small bowel) through a rupture in abdominal wall into the groin area. Like any other hernia it is encompassed by a risk of strangulation (blockage of bloodflow to the protruded part of gut), which is severely painful and may lead to necrosis.

This is why hernia repair surgery is recommended to be performed as soon as possible after herniation discovery. If surgery takes place before strangulation happens, then it goes routinely, with normal preparation procedure and easy recovery. Otherwise, emergency surgery must be performed, which is more risky and often calls for in situ resection of protruded organs, which may lead to complications and seriously affect the patient’s quality of life.

Inguinal Hernia Repair Laparoscopy Surgery Steps

• Patient is put into medically induced sleep, laparoscopic entry sites are marked and incisions are made.
• Laparoscopic ports (to facilitate tool entry) are placed, and laparoscope is placed to observe the surgical site. After that surgical tools (laparoscopic manipulators) follow.
• Hernia elements are identified, like hernia sac and abdominal cavity, anatomical landscape is observed carefully to identify any other pathological elements.
• The protruded organ (hernia sac) is carefully relocated to its original place, and the abdominal cavity is closed and reinforced by a surgical mesh – an implant fixed to the abdomen.
• Surgery is completed by covering of the implant with abdominal tissues in order to prevent direct contact with organs, as this may lead to formation of abdominal adhesions. Tools and laparoscopic ports are removed, sutures are placed and the patient is led out of anaesthesia.