“Do all hernias require surgery?”
I went to the doctor with pain in my groin and abdomen and he says that I have a very small hernia. He said I should have surgery. Do all hernias require surgery?
4 Answers
Your hernia has a high risk of incarcerating or strangulating bowel, so Surgery electively is best.
Yes. All hernias need surgery to be repaired. In most cases the surgery is not an emergency, and you can schedule it when you have time.
The sooner the repair, the better, as the potential for incarceration and strangulation increases daily.
In general it is safe to wait on hernia repairs as long as you are not having symptoms.
Studies have been performed regarding the course with small hernias. In one group, the patients had surgery immediately. In the other group, the patients waited two years. The chance of a complication was the same in both groups (very low). In the group who waited, the majority of those patients developed symptoms over the two years and went on to have their hernias repaired.
Symptoms related to a hernia include the presence of a bulge, pain, discomfort, constipation, and nausea. If this symptoms develop and persist, it is probably time to get your hernia fixed.
Studies have been performed regarding the course with small hernias. In one group, the patients had surgery immediately. In the other group, the patients waited two years. The chance of a complication was the same in both groups (very low). In the group who waited, the majority of those patients developed symptoms over the two years and went on to have their hernias repaired.
Symptoms related to a hernia include the presence of a bulge, pain, discomfort, constipation, and nausea. If this symptoms develop and persist, it is probably time to get your hernia fixed.
