Procedure Description

Your surgeon can only tell you if a laparoscopic ventral hernia repair is correct for you after a thorough evaluation. Some patients may not be candidates for the treatment if they have had extensive prior abdominal surgery, have hernias in unique or difficult-to-reach sites, or have underlying medical issues. Make sure to discuss with your doctor about your situation.[5]

The following steps are involved in a laparoscopic umbilical hernia repair:

1. During this surgical procedure, the surgeon will make several small incisions (cuts) in your belly.
2. Hollow tubes (ports or trocars) will be inserted into the incisions.
3. A laparoscope (a thin tube with a tiny video camera connected to it) will then be inserted via one of the ports by the surgeon.
4. To make room for the surgery, your abdomen will be inflated with carbon dioxide.
5. Sutures (surgical stitches) or staples will be used to attach the mesh to the muscle that surrounds the hernia.
6. The incisions will be closed using surgical clips, sutures, or an adhesive.[6]

What to Ask and Tell Your Doctor?

Ask your doctor the following questions before your surgery:

1. Can my condition be managed without surgery?
2. What is the best treatment option for my situation?
3. What is the procedure for hernia repair?
4. What is the total number of incisions?
5. What is the expected length of my stay in the hospital?
6. How long does it take to recover?
7. Tell your doctor about the following:
8. Your symptoms
9. The severity of pain (if any)
10. Anything that worsens or relieves your symptoms

What to Expect Before Surgery?

You can expect the following:

1. Medications
2. Any vitamins or medications that you or your child are currently taking should be disclosed to your doctor.
3. Adults should avoid using aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers for at least a week before surgery to reduce the risk of bleeding.
4. Because of the risk of bleeding, you will need to temporarily stop taking blood-thinning medications.[6,7]
5. Smoking
6. If you smoke, you should notify your surgeon and make plans to stop. Quitting smoking prior to surgery can help you avoid respiratory and wound issues.[6]
7. Hospital stay
8. You will be required to stay overnight if you are undergoing surgery for a large or incarcerated hernia.[6]
9. Complications (for example, difficulty in passing urine, extreme nausea and vomiting) can extend your stay.[6]

What to Expect During Surgery?

You can expect the following:

1. You will be positioned in a supine position (laying on your back with your face looking upwards) with your hands tucked at your sides.[8]
2. Iodine, alcohol, or chlorhexidine based solutions are used to clean the surgical site before starting the procedure.[9]
3. Once the chosen solution has dried, the surgeon will cover the surgical field with either iodine-impregnated sticky drapes (sterile surgical cloths) or incise drapes.[9]

What to Expect After Surgery?

1. Recover process/expectation after hospital discharge:
2. Diet and lifestyle
3. Children can start their regular diet as soon as they are ready.
4. Adults should drink approximately eight to 10 glasses of water every day and consume a high-fibre diet to avoid straining during bowel movements.
5. Activities 
6. For a brief period of time, general anaesthesia impairs your coordination and reasoning. Adults should refrain from consuming alcoholic beverages, using machinery, or signing legal papers for at least 48 hours following the surgery.
7. Parents should keep an eye on their children to ensure they don't do anything that could harm the operation site. Bike riding, wrestling, jungle gyms, and organized sports should be avoided.
8. Gradually raise your activity level. To avoid the formation of blood clots, get up and move every hour or so.
9. For at least four to six weeks, refrain from lifting anything more than 4.5kgs or engaging in intense activity.
10. The healing process can be aided with light exercise such as walking.
11. Work or school
12. It's ideal to take your child out of school for about a week after the anaesthesia and surgery to allow them to heal.
13. Adults can go back to work within a week or two after surgery. However, if your job requires manual labour, you may need more time off.
14. Wound care
15. Hands should always be washed before and after touching the incision site or any area near it.
16. Unless otherwise instructed, you can shower after the second day of your surgery. However, wait until your surgical stitches, staples, or Steri-strips are removed before soaking yourself in the bathtub.
17. Parents should give a sponge bath to their child rather than a tub bath for the first few days after surgery.
18. Avoid wearing clothes that are very tight or too harsh. It may rub against your incisions, making them more difficult to heal.
19. Protect your fresh skin from the sun in particular. The sun can cause the skin to burn and scars to darken.

First Follow-up Appointment

Two to three weeks following the surgery, you get yourself examined to assess the incision site. Unless particular concerns are detected at the first follow-up appointment, there is no need to return to the office.