WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR HERNIA?
It depends on the type of hernia, according to Dr Lee. “The more common inguinal hernia usually requires surgery.” Doctors may not call for urgent surgery for umbilical hernia (unless the surrounding skin is thinned out or the hernia increases in size) as well as hernias without any symptoms and instead, “opt for watchful waiting”, he said.
But don’t make the call yourself by not seeing a doctor at all. “Untreated hernias can become painful and may lead to serious complications like bowel obstruction or strangulation, which are surgical emergencies,” said Dr Singaporewalla. Signs of a bowel obstruction or strangulation can include nausea and vomiting, explained Dr Lomanto.
Minimally invasive keyhole surgery is usually performed to patch you up. “The goal is to return the protruding tissue to its original position and reinforce the weakened area, often with the use of a mesh,” said Dr Singaporewalla.
Dr Lomanto said that surgery can be performed, in most cases, with day surgery or a short stay of one to two days. But for hernia patients with diabetes, obesity or heart disease, or those with large or recurrent hernias, spending a few nights at the hospital may be needed, he said.
“With the use of advanced surgical mesh in hernia surgeries today, the recurrence rate for elective surgeries can be as low as 1 per cent for inguinal hernia and 4 to 8 per cent for other abdominal hernias,” said Dr Lomanto.
