Can hernia surgery wait?

Can hernia surgery wait?

A hernia is a weakened area in the abdominal wall that allows an organ, intestine, or fatty tissue to squeeze through. A hernia may be visible as a bulge under the skin near the groin area or navel, and it's typically most visible when straining or bearing down.

Surgery is almost always necessary to repair a hernia, but do you need to have hernia surgery immediately? The answer may be no. In most cases, hernia surgery is an elective procedure.

A common problem

Hernias are extremely common, with more than 5 million people diagnosed with one every year, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Hernia surgery, also known as a herniorrhaphy, can repair a hernia, and as many as 1 million hernia repairs are performed yearly in the U.S.

There are five most common types of hernias:

• Femoral hernias, which are significantly more likely to affect women, develop deep in the upper thigh/outer groin area. If they are not repaired, femoral hernias have a higher complication risk.
  
• Hiatal hernias occur when the stomach pushes into the chest through a weak spot (the hiatus) in the diaphragm.
  
• Incisional hernias can develop at a previous abdominal surgery site when the muscle near the incision site weakens.
  
• Inguinal hernias, which occur in the inner groin area, inguinal hernias are a common reason for hernia repair surgeries in the United States, with around 800,000 procedures performed annually. Men are also up to 10 times more likely than women to have an inguinal hernia.
  
• Umbilical hernias, which most often develop in newborn babies (particularly those that are premature), occur near the belly button. When found in adults, umbilical hernias can be more challenging to treat.

Most hernias tend to grow larger over time and do not resolve independently. If a hernia is not repaired, part of the intestine could become strangulated, which means its blood supply is cut off, leading to a medical emergency.

Research suggests that men with inguinal hernias with few or no symptoms may be able to delay surgery safely, an approach called watchful waiting. If you choose this option, watch for symptoms and see your doctor regularly. About 70% of men who delay surgery will develop new or worsening symptoms and will need surgery within five years.

Opting for elective surgery

If you go to the hospital emergency room because of extreme pain and need immediate hernia repair surgery, the on-call surgeon will likely perform your surgery. If you're diagnosed with a mild hernia and your doctor advises that surgery can be scheduled later, this gives you the flexibility to consider different options. When planning elective hernia surgery, you can:

• Choose your surgeon. Reid Health's general surgery team has numerous hernia repair experts. You can choose the surgeon with whom you have the best relationship.
• Review your surgical options. Doctors can use several approaches to repair the hernia. Talking through your options with your surgeon can ensure you choose the surgery type you feel most comfortable with. You may opt for traditional open surgery; minimally invasive, laparoscopic hernia surgery made with small incisions; or even robotic hernia repair surgery. All hernia repair surgery is performed with local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia.
• Schedule the surgery when it's most convenient for you. Maybe your work is nearing a slower season, or your kids are away at summer camp, so you have more time to recover comfortably. Or perhaps you have a vacation scheduled and want to completely recover by the time you leave so you can enjoy your time off without pain. With your doctor's blessing, you can schedule surgery around these events.

Together, you and your doctor can discuss all your options.

Reid Health's general surgery team includes numerous hernia surgery experts. Request an appointment today.