If you’ve been diagnosed with a hernia, you’re probably wondering about your treatment options. Hernias don’t heal on their own, and they can only be repaired with surgery — but the good news is that you could be a good candidate for laparoscopic hernia repair.
Laparoscopic hernia repair is a minimally invasive technique that offers major benefits over traditional open surgery. Balaguru Sambandam, MD, FACS, and our team at North Tarrant Health Providers specialize in hernia repair, and we can help you find out if your hernia can be repaired laparoscopically. Here’s what you need to know.
Traditional open surgery requires large incisions, so your surgeon can see what they’re doing inside your body. But unlike open surgery, laparoscopic hernia repair involves several small incisions that are less than one centimeter in length.
Dr. Sanbandam inserts a thin tube with a camera and light at the end, and he uses the laparoscope to visualize the surgery site on a high-definition screen. He also inserts specialized surgical instruments through these small incisions to perform your hernia repair.
The laparoscopic hernia repair process generally follows these steps:
Before surgery, you’ll undergo a thorough evaluation where we take your medical history and conduct a physical exam. You may also need imaging tests, like an ultrasound or CT scan, to determine your hernia’s size and location. After this evaluation, we’ll tell you if laparoscopic hernia repair is a good option for you.
While laparoscopic hernia repair is suitable for most people, it may not be the best option for everyone. Factors like the size and type of hernia, previous abdominal surgeries, and overall health can influence our recommendation. If you’re not a good candidate for laparoscopy, we discuss alternatives and help you find the most appropriate treatment.
We perform hernia repair under general anesthesia, meaning you’ll be asleep and won’t feel any pain during the surgery. On the day of your surgery, we administer anesthesia and make sure you’re asleep before proceeding.
Next, Dr. Sambandam makes a few small incisions in your abdominal area. The exact number and location of the incisions depend on the type of hernia you have and its location.
Dr. Sambandam inserts a laparoscope through one of the incisions. The camera on the laparoscope sends real-time images to a monitor, so he can see inside your abdomen and visualize your hernia in its entirety.
He uses surgical instruments inserted through the other incisions to perform the repair. The exact procedure he follows depends on your situation. For example, to repair an inguinal hernia, he pushes the protruding tissue back into place and reinforces your abdominal wall with a synthetic mesh to strengthen the weakened area and help prevent hernia recurrence.
Once your hernia is repaired, Dr. Sambandam removes the instruments and laparoscope. He closes the incisions with sutures, staples, or surgical glue. The entire procedure typically takes one to two hours, depending on the complexity of your hernia.
Laparoscopic hernia repair is safe, effective, and minimally invasive — and it’s a good option for most patients. Book an evaluation with our experienced surgical team to find out if your hernia can be repaired laparoscopically. Call our Fort Worth, Texas, office at 817-904-4165 today, or request an appointment online at your convenience.
