FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

75% of all abdominal wall hernias are seen in the groin. As a human being particularly in man, our groin area is weak. A more inguinal hernia occurs in some connective tissue diseases, smokers. Hernia disease cannot be prevented except in incisional hernias.

However, sometimes a hernia can occur in surgical incisions for several causes.

All hernias should be repaired surgically!

If your hernia is small and doesn't complain, you don't need to have surgery right away. However, most hernias grow inevitably over time and begin to complain especially pain. Although hernia strangulation requiring urgent surgery is rare, it is best not to take this risk.

I always say like the motto 'Early hernia surgery is easy for both patient and surgeon!'

 NO! The only treatment for inguinal and abdominal wall hernias is surgery!

Hernias grow over time, causing pain. They impair the quality of life. There is a risk of strangling of organs such as intestines. Especially complicated large hernias of the abdominal wall adversely affect breathing and quality of life, patient's mobility. 

The hernia may lack self-confidence by making pain during sex. It also negatively affects the sexual partner visually.

Anyone can have a hernia. Inguinal hernias are more common in men.

Abdominal wall and groin hernias cannot be prevented. However, hernias developed in the surgical incisions can be prevented.

Hernias are responsible for 30% of inguinal pain. In the initial period, hernias; even without bulging, can manifest itself with pain. But it is also necessary to investigate the causes other than an inguinal hernia. Especially in athletes, groin pain is an important problem and its diagnosis and treatment are quite complicated.

A hernia belt does not treat your hernia. It does not prevent it from enlarging and does not prevent strangling. On the contrary, it can make the surgery difficult by disrupting the tissues.

Scientific studies show that the outcomes of surgeons whose daily surgical practice predominantly composed of hernia patients are better than other colleagues. This is notably correct in terms of recurrence and pain.

Studies have shown that prosthetic mesh quality affects success. Prosthetic meshes should be compatible with the body; they should be flexible, not felt by the patient, not painful, resistant to infection. The mesh remains in the body for lifelong after surgery. It should be durable in the long run.

A quality prosthetic mesh integrates superbly with the body and does not cause problems. But; if there is an infection, very rarely allergic, sometimes excessively contracted, migrates into the abdomen, it can damage the intestines. For this reason, the right prosthetic mesh should be chosen according to the type of hernia and the method of surgery.

There are 3 important factors to decide this: the characteristics of the patient, the type of hernia, and the surgeon's experience. In terms of the patient; laparoscopic methods should be chosen.  

General anesthesia is the most appropriate and safe method for most hernia repairs. In particular; local anesthesia can be comfortably applied in open inguinal hernia repair.

The operation time differs according to the size of the hernia, and the technique used. Open inguinal hernia surgeries take 20-25 minutes and laparoscopic repair takes 30-35 minutes. In addition, laparoscopic umbilical hernia surgeries take up to 45 minutes. For other hernias, you should talk to your doctor.

You would have little pain in the early hours after the operation. However, this symptom can be easily controlled with medicines.

Most hernia surgeries; what we call day surgery is such that you will need to stay in the hospital for 1 day. For example, we discharge the laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgeries on the same day. But; This period can be 3-4 days in large and complicated abdominal wall hernias.

The chance of infection at the incision sites after surgery is low. Fluid collection, which we call Seroma, is the most common complication. Seroma usually disappears spontaneously in 6-8 weeks. Post-operative persistent pain can rarely occur in expert hands. The most important late complication is relapsing and its rate is very low in expert hands.

After the operation, you will be discharged home by walking. We do not let our patients drive for 2 days after surgery. When you go home, you can take a shower if there is no drain tube. Generally, we close the skin cuts with absorbable sutures which is not necessary to remove them.

After your doctor's visit, you can travel by plane or car, but we don’t let you drive.

You can start;

i. swimming after 5 days, 

ii. running after 2 weeks. 

iii. doing yoga, plates and lift weights after 1 month

following your inguinal hernia surgery. 

You should wait 6 weeks for sports like football and basketball. Almost the same period is valid for umbilical hernia repairs.

No! On the contrary, it positively affects your sex life. If there is pain related to hernia, it would also be during sex and affect pleasure. The absence of a visual lump affects the person's partner in a positive way as well as providing self-confidence.

A hernia may relapse after surgical repair. None can guarantee 100% successful repair. While the world averages are around 7-13% in the groin hernias, this rate is as below as 1% in hernia experts. Relapses occur due to the structure of the patient's tissues, the type of hernia, the type of surgical repair performed, the prosthetic mesh used and finally the experience of the surgeon.

A recurrent hernia should be operated in specialist centers. These centers are more experienced than anyone.