Hernia Repair at Advanced Surgical Associates

Certain patients will benefit from an open procedure, especially if there are multiple hernias that are not easily reachable with traditional laparoscopic devices. Other reasons for choosing an open procedure include severe obesity, dense scar issue in the area of the procedure and a propensity for excessive bleeding. In some cases, open surgery also reduces the possibility of the recurrence of the hernia. Patients with recurrent hernias may benefit from an open procedure. Those who react poorly to general anesthesia may also opt for an open hernia repair that usually only requires local anesthetic.

On the other hand, open surgery requires a longer recovery time and patients will be less comfortable during recovery than those who have undergone minimally invasive surgery. There is a greater chance of certain complications such as chronic pain with an open hernia repair.  There are rare occasions when a minimally invasive hernia surgery will have to be converted to an open surgery during the course of the procedure for patient safety or the effectiveness of the procedure. 

As minimally invasive techniques and devices are enhanced, an ever-greater proportion of hernia surgeries are being performed laparoscopically. During the procedure, two tiny incisions are made in the area of the hernia and a larger incision is made within the umbilicus. A surgical mesh is placed over the hernia and affixed to the abdominal wall.

Minimally invasive surgery has many benefits in the form of less pain and blood loss as well as a shorter hospital stays after surgery. However, minimally invasive surgery may not be appropriate for all hernia patients, especially those suffering from multiple hernias that cannot be reached with laparoscopic tools, obese patients or those with significant scarring from previous procedures in the area. Recurrent hernias are also typically treated using the open procedure. You may also be interested in when minimally invasive hernia surgery is not appropriate.

There’s been a great deal of debate over whether surgical mesh should be used to repair a hernia. However, mesh remains the gold standard for hernia repair because it creates a stronger, longer-lasting solution that is less likely to allow for hernia recurrence when compared to a traditional tension or suture repair.

The debate around mesh centers on a biocompatibility of the mesh itself. Most meshes are synthetic while some are sourced from animal tissue. Whether the body has a greater tendency to reject this mesh, is up for debate.

Secondly, the way the mesh is adhered to the abdomen – by using staples or tacks – can cause irritation to surrounding nerves. Whether the risk is diminished by using surgical glue remains unanswered. However, complication rates for minimally invasive hernia repair has steadily decreased over the past couple decades.

Hernias are a progressive condition meaning that they will not improve or disappear on their own. Hernias can progress slowly or quickly; however they will not improve without surgical intervention. Surgeons at Advanced Surgical Associates are experts in the field of both minimally invasive and open surgery for hernias.

The answer to this question, however, varies based on a patient’s particular condition. Older patients with larger, asymptomatic hernias that are less likely to strangulate are often not considered good candidates for hernia surgery. They should still see a qualified specialist to determine if this is the case, but often they are able to watch and wait. In these cases, a hernia repair becomes more of a lifestyle issue, rather than a necessity.

For younger patients who are in generally good health and for those that have relatively smaller hernias, a hernia repair is almost always indicated. This is because younger patients with smaller hernias are a greater risk for strangulation. Further, as the hernia progresses, it will become more complex to repair and create a greater potential for complications. Most younger patients with a hernia we’ll eventually have it repaired, even if today it is small or asymptomatic.