Treatment for Hernia

Quick repair of hernias is advisable so that complications associated with hernias that remain untreated can be avoided. Organ failures and dysfunctions are avoidable complications. Simple hernias can be repaired by pushing back the damaged tissue and then restoring whatever weakness has occurred in the muscle (herniorrhaphy). Complications can be corrected by resecting again if necessary.

Modern techniques reinforce the muscle using synthetic materials so that the weak tissues are not over-stretched. A prosthesis made of mesh is placed above the defect (known as anterior repair) or below the defect (known as posterior repair). The recovery is faster and the rate of recurrence is lower in this method compared to some of the older techniques. But infections are more common when meshes are used. One reason for this was identified as diabetes.

Laparoscopic surgery is minimally invasive requiring incisions just enough to let a camera and other surgical instruments to pass through. A week or two of rest is enough to completely heal the wounds involved.