Emergency Hernia Surgery

Who Is the Right Candidate for Emergency Hernia Surgery?

A patient’s eligibility for emergency hernia surgery primarily depends on the severity of their hernia condition. The key factors that doctors consider include:

• Symptoms: Surgery may be necessary if patients report severe pain, visible bulging of organs, and significant changes in bowel movements.
• Diagnosis Results: The results from physical examinations and imaging tests will determine whether the hernia has become incarcerated or strangulated. This would necessitate emergency surgery.
• Patient’s Overall Health: The patient’s overall health and ability to withstand surgery are also critical factors. If the patient is in overall good health, they may be a suitable candidate for emergency hernia surgery.

Emergency hernia surgery is required when a hernia becomes incarcerated or strangulated. The doctor diagnoses this condition through symptoms and tests.

What Are the Benefits of Emergency Hernia Surgery?

Emergency inguinal hernia surgery is essential to treat the severe symptoms and complications of an incarcerated or strangulated hernia. Here are its significant benefits:

• Relieves pain and discomfort: Emergency hernia surgery can provide relief from the severe pain and discomfort caused by an incarcerated or strangulated hernia.
• Reduces risk of life-threatening complications: Emergency hernia surgery is necessary to prevent serious complications. This includes bowel obstruction, tissue strangulation, and perforation, which can be life-threatening.
• Allows reduction of trapped tissue: The surgery allows the surgeon to gently push the trapped organ or tissue back into the abdominal cavity. This helps to restore normal anatomy.
• Reinforces the abdominal wall: The surgeon can repair the weakened abdominal wall using stitches or surgical mesh. This prevents the hernia from recurring.
• Improves outcomes compared to delayed treatment: Prompt emergency surgery reduces the risk of complications. This has better outcomes than delaying treatment until the hernia becomes more severe.

How to Prepare for Emergency Hernia Surgery?

Preparation for emergency hernia surgery plays a pivotal role in ensuring a successful outcome. To prepare for emergency hernia surgery, follow these steps:

• Medical Evaluation
  • Blood Work: Complete blood work to assess overall health and identify potential complications.
  • Thorough Medical Evaluation: Determine fitness for surgery and identify underlying conditions.
  • Chest X-ray and ECG: Assess heart and lung health, depending on age and medical condition.
• Dietary Restrictions
  • Fasting: Do not eat or drink anything except medications permissible with a sip of water on the morning of surgery.
  • Stop Certain Medications: Cease taking aspirin, blood thinners, anti-inflammatory medications, and vitamin E several days to a week before surgery.
• Other Preparations
  • Shower: Shower the night before or the morning of the operation to minimize infection risk.
  • Bowel Prep: Start a bowel prep the day before surgery, if necessary.

By following these pre-operative preparation steps, you can help ensure that your surgery proceeds smoothly. This also reduces the likelihood of complications and paves the way for a faster and more comfortable recovery.

What Are the Recovery Tips and Precautions to Follow after Emergency Hernia Surgery?

Recovering from emergency hernia surgery requires patience and diligence. Here are some tips for a smoother recovery:

• Rest and Recover: Rest for the first 24-48 hours, get plenty of sleep, and avoid strenuous activities.
• Wound Care: Keep the incision clean and dry, follow dressing change instructions, and avoid submerging the wound in water until healed.
• Gentle Exercise: Start with light walking to promote circulation and prevent complications. Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activities until cleared by your surgeon.
• Nutrition: Eat a healthy, high-fibre diet to support healing and prevent constipation. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids.

Potential Risks or Complications Associated with Emergency Hernia Surgery

While emergency hernia surgery is crucial and beneficial, it may carry some potential risks and complications. Let’s take a look at these:

• Recurrence: In some cases, the hernia may reappear post-surgery.
• Infection risk: The incision site may become infected, requiring further treatment.
• Bleeding or blood clots: These issues may occur as post-surgical complications.
• Organ or nerve injury: There’s a small risk of injury to nearby organs or nerves during surgery.
• Respiratory complications: Elderly patients may potentially face respiratory issues like pneumonia post-surgery.
• Cardiac complications: Elderly patients may also experience heart-related issues like ischemia or arrhythmias.
• Mortality: This risk is higher among elderly patients, and if bowel resection is required.

The urgency necessitates emergency hernia surgery despite the elevated risks compared to elective procedures. Following your surgeon’s instructions closely ensures a safer recovery and reduces potential complications.

What Is the Cost of Emergency Hernia Surgery in India?

The cost of treating a hernia through surgery can be a significant concern for many. In India, the cost of emergency hernia surgery varies widely, and it largely depends on several factors. The following aspects play a crucial role in determining the cost:

• Type of Hernia: There are multiple types of hernia, the common one being inguinal hernia. The cost varies depending on the type and complexity of the hernia.
• Surgical Approach: Generally, there are two types of surgical procedures for hernia repair i.e. open and laparoscopic. Laparoscopic surgery is generally more expensive than open surgery due to its advanced technique and faster recovery time.
• Hospital and Surgeon’s Fees: Depending on the hospital’s reputation and the surgeon’s expertise, the fees could be higher or lower.
• Use of Mesh: Surgeons could use a mesh to reinforce the abdominal wall during surgery, which could add to the total cost.

Is Emergency Hernia Surgery Covered under Insurance?

Fortunately for many patients facing hernia issues, emergency hernia surgery is frequently covered under regular health insurance in India. Coverage varies based on individual plans and can provide significant relief from the financial strain of this procedure.

Medical insurance generally offers comprehensive coverage encompassing surgical expenses, hospitalisation charges, ambulance fees, and pre- and post-operative expenses. Meanwhile, mediclaim policies may cover only hospitalisation expenses.

Please note that there may be certain limitations. For instance, insurers may require prior authorisation or have certain deductibles or co-payments. Moreover, if the hernia is considered a pre-existing condition, the policy may impose exclusions or restrictions on coverage. Therefore, patients should carefully review their insurance terms and understand the extent of coverage for their emergency hernia surgery.