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Have you noticed a bulge in your groin area that becomes more visible, especially when standing, coughing, or lifting heavy objects? It might feel harmless in the initial stage; however, it is not so. The subtle sign mostly points to a condition known as a hernia.
Many people have the notion that if a hernia is not resulting in discomfort or pain, there is no need to worry about it. They even assume that in most cases, hernias usually heal on their own without any treatment. However, this is completely a myth. It is true that some hernias close by themselves; however, most require surgical intervention.
A hernia, if kept untreated for a long time, results in complications such as strangulation and incarceration, both of which call for immediate medical attention.
In this blog, we will dive into Dr. Purnendu Bhowmik’s perspective on when hernia surgery becomes necessary, what the warning signs are, and why early diagnosis matters the most.
A hernia occurs when an internal organ or fatty tissue pushes through an opening or weak spot in the muscles that contain it. The resulting bulge becomes extremely painful, particularly when the individual coughs, bends over, or lifts a heavy object.
According to Dr. Purnendu Bhowmik, one of the best surgeons for performing hernia surgery in Kolkata, there are different types of hernias that patients are most likely to experience.
Inguinal hernia: This is the most common type, where a portion of the intestinal tissues pushes through the lower abdominal wall, especially in the inguinal wall. It is more common in men than in women and leads to a bulge in the groin or scrotum.
Femoral Hernia: It is uncommon and mostly occurs in females. This type occurs when the abdominal tissues protrude through a weak spot in the lower abdominal region, more specifically, into the femoral canal in the groin area.
Umbilical Hernia: Here, the bulge takes place in the middle of the navel. In this type of hernia, the inside of the navel sticks out. In fact, an umbilical hernia can occur anywhere from the navel to the breastbone.
Hiatal Hernia: It is a condition where a part of the stomach pushes up into the chest cavity through the opening of the diaphragm.
It is to be noted that not all hernias require surgery as the primary treatment. However, there are some signs that you must be aware of that indicate hernia surgery is not only necessary but urgent.
Make sure to recognise the signs to prevent serious complications.
A hernia in the first phase might not hurt that much. However, if the pain becomes constant, severe and starts interfering with daily activities, surgery becomes absolutely necessary.
If the hernia becomes larger over time or is visible when lying down, it usually means that the affected area is worsening. A growing hernia has an increased chance of being strangulated.
When the hernia becomes incarcerated, it becomes stuck and cannot be pushed back into the abdomen. This leads to immense pain and can even obstruct bowel movements.
If an individual experiences complications like severe pain, fever, rapid heart rate, discolouration around the affected area, nausea, vomiting or inability to pass stool, it indicates severe infection or sepsis that calls for immediate medical urgency. A delay in treatment leads to life-threatening consequences.
The decision to delay hernia surgery is influenced by a number of factors, such as the severity of the symptoms as well as the type and size of the hernia.
Immediate surgery is not always necessary for all types of hernia. However, it is important to know when it is safe to delay surgery to ease the concerns and help in making an important decision about the surgical intervention.
According to a reputed doctor like Dr. Purnendu Bhowmik, who is known to carry out hernia surgery in Kolkata, if the bulge is small, painless, and can be pushed back, it might not need to be operated on immediately. In other words, we can say that if the hernia is not interfering with the patient’s daily activities or causing any discomfort, the surgical intervention can be delayed.
Age is also a determining factor in such situations. For example, a smaller umbilical hernia in children usually resolves on its own. Nearly 90 per cent of the umbilical hernias close by themselves without the need for any surgery.
Moreover, another important factor in deciding whether to delay surgery is the patient’s overall health condition, which might increase postoperative risks of surgery and even affect the timing of the recovery period.
While certain cases of hernia permit waiting before undergoing hernia repair surgery, it is always advisable to discuss with a hernia surgeon in Kolkata about the complications and potential side effects.
Hernias that are left untreated for a long time can prove to be life-threatening and fatal. The risks are as follows:
Most patients fear undergoing a hernia repair surgery primarily due to pain and longer recovery times. What they don’t know is that surgical interventions for hernia repair have come a long way. Modern techniques are safe and effective and have a shorter healing period.
Here are the main approaches.
Open method: It is the traditional way, which involves making large incisions over the affected area. The protruding tissue is pushed back, which is then supported with a mesh.
Laparoscopic method: It involves making small incisions through which surgical instruments are inserted. It is the most preferred approach due to its non-invasive nature, less pain, and faster recovery period.
Robotic method: It is similar to that of a laparoscopic procedure. The only difference is that this technique involves robotic instruments, which are controlled by the surgeon.
To conclude, we can say that a hernia repair is urgent in such cases when the risks of complications are extremely high. If you think that you have a hernia or have been diagnosed with one but are unsure about hernia surgery, consult Dr. Purnendu Bhowmik, who can guide you on the right treatment options based on your needs.