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Treating hernias

  • How to treat hernias

Hernia is a common condition that often requires surgical treatment. If left untreated, it can lead to serious complications. Here's what you need to know:

+20 2 millions Of hernia procedures worldwide per year.
1 Kathleen Lockhart et al : Mesh versus non-mesh for inguinal and femoral hernia repair, Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018

2 Kingsnorth A, LeBlanc K. Hernias: inguinal and incisional. Lancet. 2003
  • How to treat hernias

Hernia is a common condition that often requires surgical treatment. If left untreated, it can lead to serious complications. Here's what you need to know:

Hernia surgery

Hernia repair surgery can be performed either with stitches alone or with the support of a surgical mesh that reinforces the weakened abdominal wall. Although stitches alone may be appropriate in selected small hernias, studies have shown that hernias repaired without mesh are more likely to come back over time.(1) The exact benefit depends on the type and size of your hernia and on your individual risk factors.

Why is surgical repair important?

Surgical repair is essential to prevent potentially serious complications associated with hernia, such as strangulation and intestinal obstruction. By treating the hernia surgically, you reduce the risk of chronic pain and improve your long-term quality of life.

+20 2 millions Of hernia procedures worldwide per year.   1 Kathleen Lockhart et al : Mesh versus non-mesh for inguinal and femoral hernia repair, Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018

2 Kingsnorth A, LeBlanc K. Hernias: inguinal and incisional. Lancet. 2003
  • The different surgical techniques

If you’ve been diagnosed with an abdominal hernia, it’s important to understand the different treatment options available to you. Abdominal hernias can be treated in a number of ways. The goal of all techniques is the same: to close the opening in the abdominal wall and, in many cases, to reinforce it with a mesh so that the hernia is less likely to come back.

Open surgery

In open surgery, the surgeon makes an incision in the area of the hernia, allowing direct access to the affected area. This method is often used for large or complex hernias.

Laparoscopy

Laparoscopy is a less invasive approach in which small incisions are made in the abdomen. The surgeon then uses special instruments and a camera to repair the hernia. This method generally offers faster recovery and less post-operative pain than open surgery.

Robot-assisted surgery

Robot-assisted surgery uses a robotic system to help the surgeon perform the procedure with precision. This technique can offer similar benefits to laparoscopy, with greater precision and better visualization for the surgeon.

Chirurgie de la hernie

Hernia surgery

Surgical hernia repair, called herniorrhaphy, is necessary to correct the weakness in the abdominal wall. During surgery, your doctor will close the weakened area using sutures or placing a wall reinforcement implant.

Why is surgical repair important?

Surgical repair is essential to prevent potentially serious complications associated with hernia, such as strangulation and intestinal obstruction. By treating the hernia surgically, you reduce the risk of chronic pain and improve your long-term quality of life.

  • The different surgical techniques

If you've been diagnosed with an abdominal hernia, it's important to understand the different treatment options available to you. Abdominal hernias can be treated in a number of ways:

Image 1

Open surgery


In open surgery, the surgeon makes an incision in the area of the hernia, allowing direct access to the affected area. This method is often used for large or complex hernias.

Image 2

Laparoscopy


Laparoscopy is a less invasive approach in which small incisions are made in the abdomen. The surgeon then uses special instruments and a camera to repair the hernia. This method generally offers faster recovery and less post-operative pain than open surgery.

Image 3

Robot-assisted surgery


Robot-assisted surgery uses a robotic system to help the surgeon perform the procedure with precision. This technique can offer similar benefits to laparoscopy, with greater precision and better visualization for the surgeon.

  • Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, and it's important to discuss with your surgeon which options are best suited to your situation.
  • Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, and it's important to discuss with your surgeon which options are best suited to your situation.
FAQ Hernie
Will my hernia come back?

No type of hernia repair can guarantee a 0% risk of recurrence.
 However, in many situations repairs with mesh have a lower recurrence rate than repairs without mesh.

Do I really need a mesh?

  • Do I really need a mesh?

Comme expliqué précédemment, de nombreuses études ont montré que dans beaucoup de situations, les réparations avec des prothèses ont un risque plus faible de réapparition de la hernie, par rapport au réparation sans implant. Mais cela ne signifie pas que chaque hernie doit être réparée avec un implant. En termes, simple :

  • Do I really need a mesh?

You may wonder whether a mesh is really necessary in your case, especially if you have heard worrying stories in the media or on social networks. As explained before, many studies have shown that, in a lot of situations, repairs with mesh have a lower risk of the hernia coming back than repairs without mesh. But this does not mean that every hernia must be repaired with a mesh. In simple terms:
En termes, simple :

– Pour de très petites hernies et pour les patients avec des tissus solides, une réparation sans implant peut toujours être une bonne option.

– Pour les hernies plus importantes ou lorsque le tissu est déjà affaibli (par exemple après une précédente chirurgie), la réparation avec un implant est souvent le choix le plus sûr et le plus durable.

Your surgeon will look at the type, size and position of your hernia and at your personal risk factors, and then explain advantages and risks in your specific situation. If your surgeon recommends a repair with mesh, the next questions is:

  • What kind of mesh will be used?

Today, hundreds of thousands of patients worldwide receive a hernia mesh every year and recover well, often with a lower risk that the hernia will come back. The meshes used today are not the same as some of the older products you may have heard or read about. They differ in the materials they are made from and how long they are meant to stay in the body, for example:

Implants

Permanent meshes:

Souvent fabriqué en polypropylène. Ils
restent dans votre corps et apportent un
soutien durable à la paroi abdominale.

Partially resorbable meshes:

Ces implants combinent un matériau permanent avec un
matériau qui se dissout lentement dans le corps. Au fil du temps,
une grande partie de l'implant est résorbée et un maillage
permanent plus léger reste sous forme de « filet de sécurité ».
Ainsi vous avez moins de matière implantée et peu de risque que
la hernie réapparaisse.

Fully resorbable meshes:

Fabriqué à partir de divers matériaux, il
disparaît complètement en 12 à 24 mois,
ne laissant aucun maintien à long terme
ce qui peut augmenter le risque de
récidive de la hernie à long terme.

  • What kind of mesh will be used?

Today, hundreds of thousands of patients worldwide receive a hernia mesh every year and recover well, often with a lower risk that the hernia will come back. The meshes used today are not the same as some of the older products you may have heard or read about. They differ in the materials they are made from and how long they are meant to stay in the body, for example:

Permanent meshes:

Often made from polypropylene. They remain in your body and give long‑term support to the abdominal wall.

Partially resorbable meshes:

These combine a permanent material with a material that slowly dissolves in the body. Over time, a large part of the implant mass is resorbed and a lighter permanent mesh remains as a “safety net”, so you keep the protection of a permanent mesh but have less foreign material in your body in the long term.

Fully resorbable meshes:

Made from various material, they completly disappear within 12 to 24 months, leaving no long term support which may lead to hernia recurrence.

  • By adopting a healthy lifestyle, being physically active, and keeping your medical conditions under control, you maximise your chances of a good outcome after hernia surgery.
  • While the selection of the most suitable mesh is an important consideration and should be carefully discussed with your surgeon, it is essential to recognize that no surgical procedure is entirely without risk. Even when the optimal mesh is used, complications can occasionally occur as a consequence of the surgical intervention itself and may not be attributable to the mesh implantation.
  • While the selection of the most suitable mesh is an important consideration and should be carefully discussed with your surgeon, it is essential to recognize that no surgical procedure is entirely without risk. Even when the optimal mesh is used, complications can occasionally occur as a consequence of the surgical intervention itself and may not be attributable to the mesh implantation.

Prepare your surgery

  • Advice before your surgery

Surgery places considerable stress on the body, so it's essential to optimize your health and physical condition before the operation.

Stay active
Light to moderate exercise, such as walking, may be recommended to facilitate recovery. Always consult your doctor before starting any exercise program.

Stop smoking
It is strongly recommended to stop smoking before hernia surgery. Smoking can adversely affect wound healing and increase the risk of complications.

Eat well
Help prepare your immune system by eating nutrient-rich meals and avoiding overly processed foods.

  • Advice before your surgery

Surgery places considerable stress on the body, so it's essential to optimize your health and physical condition before the operation.

Stay active

Light to moderate exercise, such as walking, may be recommended to facilitate recovery. Always consult your doctor before starting any exercise program.

Stop smoking

It is strongly recommended to stop smoking before hernia surgery. Smoking can adversely affect wound healing and increase the risk of complications.

Eat well

Help prepare your immune system by eating nutrient-rich meals and avoiding overly processed foods.

 

  • By adopting a healthy lifestyle, being physically active, and keeping your medical conditions under control, you maximise your chances of a good outcome after hernia surgery.
  • By adopting a healthy lifestyle, being physically active, and keeping your medical conditions under control, you maximise your chances of a good outcome after hernia surgery.
  • By adopting a healthy lifestyle, being physically active, and keeping your medical conditions under control, you maximise your chances of a good outcome after hernia surgery.

Don't hesitate to talk to your medical team for personalised advice.

  • Questions to ask your
    surgeon
  • Questions to ask your
    surgeon

Treating a hernia is an important decision, so it's essential to know all your options before making any decisions. To make sure you have all the information you need to make an informed decision, talk to your doctor.

Here are some examples of questions to ask:

  • What technique will be used to repair the hernia?
  • How often does the surgeon perform this procedure in his or her practice?
  • What are the risks associated with this type of surgery?
  • What are the risks and side effects of general anesthesia?
  • What is the recurrence rate with the recommended procedure?
  • What medical products or devices are likely to be used in the procedure?
  • What level of pain is anticipated, and how will it be managed?
  • Will I have to stay in hospital? If so, for how long?
  • Will there be any costs associated with the surgery?
  • Approximately how long before I can resume my normal activities?
  • When, and how often, should I see a doctor for a follow-up visit?

Take the time to ask any questions that come to mind, and don't hesitate to ask for clarification if necessary. Your doctor is there to help you make informed decisions about your treatment.

Linkedin
· Cousin-surgery.com

Allée des Roses
59117 Wervicq-Sud
France
Tél. : +33 (0)3 20 14 41 20

Linkedin
· Cousin-surgery.com

Allée des Roses
59117 Wervicq-Sud
France
Tél. : +33 (0)3 20 14 41 20

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