What is Inguinal Hernia Repair ?

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Why do you need Inguinal Hernia Repair ?

Inguinal hernia repair is indicated for:

  • Inguinal hernia:
    • Indirect: Congenital, common in children (1–5% of term infants, higher in preemies); patent processus vaginalis allows protrusion.
    • Direct: Acquired, common in adults; due to weakness in abdominal wall.
    • Symptoms: Bulge in groin, pain/discomfort (esp. when lifting, coughing), or irreducible bulge (incarceration).
  • Complications:
    • Incarceration: Hernia trapped, causing pain/swelling.
    • Strangulation: Blood supply cut off (emergency, 1–3% of cases).
  • Associated conditions:
    • In children: May be linked to undescended testes or hydrocele (10–20%, as noted in hypospadias repair).
  • Timing:
    • Children: Surgery soon after diagnosis to prevent complications.
    • Adults: Elective surgery unless incarcerated/strangulated (emergency).

The procedure aims to return protruded contents to the abdomen, close the defect, and reinforce the abdominal wall, preventing recurrence and complications.

Why Do Inguinal Hernia Repair Costs Vary in Philippines?

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Inguinal Hernia Repair Procedure

  • Before Surgery Evaluation:
    • Diagnosis:
      • Physical exam: Bulge in groin, often reducible; Valsalva maneuver (coughing) confirms hernia.
      • Ultrasound (if needed): Confirms diagnosis, esp. if not palpable.
      • Blood testsBlood sugar, clotting profile (for adults or under general anesthesia).
    • Consent: Risks, including recurrence, are explained.
  • Surgical Techniques:
    • Inguinal Hernia Repair:
      • Performed under general anesthesia (children/adults) or spinal/local (adults), lasting 30–60 minutes.
      • Approach:
        • Open repair: Most common in India.
          • Incision (3–5 cm) in groin.
          • Hernia sac identified, contents reduced, sac ligated (high ligation in children).
          • Adults: Mesh (e.g., polypropylene) often placed to reinforce abdominal wall (tension-free repair, e.g., Lichtenstein technique).
        • Laparoscopic repair: Less common in children; used in adults (TAPP/TEP techniques); small incisions, camera-guided, mesh placed.
      • Closure: Skin sutured with absorbable stitches; dressing applied.
    • Intraoperative Tools:
      • Mesh (adults): Reinforces abdominal wall.
      • Fine sutures: Closes hernia sac and skin.
      • Laparoscope (if laparoscopic): Visualizes anatomy.
  • After Surgery:
    • Hospital stay: Same-day discharge (children) or 1–2 days (adults).
    • Care: Keep incision dry; avoid heavy lifting for 4–6 weeks.
    • Pain management: Mild to moderate pain for 3–5 days; managed with acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
    • Instructions: Monitor for swelling; resume normal diet.

Recovery After Inguinal Hernia Repair

  1. Hospital Stay: Same-day discharge (children) or 1–2 days (adults).
  2. Post-Surgery Care:
    • Pain/Swelling: Mild to moderate pain for 3–5 days; swelling resolves in 1–2 weeks.
    • Activity: Children: Normal play in 1–2 weeks; adults: Avoid heavy lifting for 4–6 weeks.
    • Incision: Keep dry for 5–7 days; sutures dissolve in 2–3 weeks.
    • Diet: Normal diet; avoid constipation (fiber, fluids).
    • Adults: Avoid strenuous activity (e.g., sports) for 4–6 weeks; return to work in 1–2 weeks (desk job).
  3. Follow-Up:
    • Visit at 1 week to check healing.
    • Additional visit at 1 month if needed (e.g., swelling, pain).

Most resume normal activities in 1–2 weeks (children) or 2–4 weeks (adults); full recovery takes 4–6 weeks. Success rate: 95–98% achieve hernia closure; recurrence rates are 1–3% with mesh (adults), 1–2% in children.

Risks and Complications

  • Surgical Risks:
    • Bleeding (1–3%): Hematoma in groin; may need drainage.
    • Infection (1–3%): At incision site; treated with antibiotics.
    • Anesthesia risks (<1%): Reaction to anesthesia; rare in healthy patients.
  • Post-Surgery:
    • Recurrence (1–3%): More common without mesh or in high-risk cases (e.g., obesity).
    • Chronic pain (2–5%, adults): Nerve irritation or mesh-related; managed with pain relief.
    • Testicular injury (1–2%, rare): Swelling or atrophy; more common in recurrent repairs.
    • Seroma (2–5%): Fluid collection in groin; usually resolves spontaneously.
  • Long-Term:
    • Mesh complications (1–2%, adults): Infection or rejection; may need removal.
    • Scarring (1–3%): Keloid formation; more common in prone individuals.

Report fever, severe pain, swelling, or signs of infection (e.g., redness, pus) promptly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What causes an inguinal hernia?

Children: Congenital (patent processus vaginalis); adults: Weak abdominal wall (aging, strain, lifting, obesity).

Can I avoid inguinal hernia repair?

No, surgery is recommended to prevent incarceration/strangulation; watchful waiting only for small, asymptomatic hernias in adults (with risk).

Is inguinal hernia repair painful?

Mild to moderate pain for 3–5 days, managed with medication; children recover faster.

How soon can I resume normal activities?

Children: 1–2 weeks; adults: 2–4 weeks; full recovery: 4–6 weeks; avoid heavy lifting for 4–6 weeks.

Is inguinal hernia repair covered by insurance in India?

Yes, for medical necessity; confirm with your provider; Ayushman Bharat often subsidizes.

Signs of complications?

Fever, severe pain, swelling, or signs of infection.

Will my child/adult have a normal recovery?

95–98% achieve full recovery with low recurrence; mesh in adults reduces recurrence risk.

Lifestyle changes post-surgery?

Avoid heavy lifting, prevent constipation, maintain healthy weight, and attend follow-ups.

Conclusion

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Looking for Best Hospitals for Inguinal Hernia Repair

Note: we are not promoting any hospitals

We do not promote any hospitals. All details are sourced from Google and hospital websites. Please verify independently. Start with your surgery—here’s the list of government, budget, and superspecialty hospitals accredited by the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and Joint Commission International (JCI)

  • click on your city and schedule your surgery now done in good hands.
City Minimum Price (₱) Maximum Price (₱)
Angeles City
Antipolo
Bacolod
Bacoor
Baguio
Butuan
Cagayan de Oro
Caloocan
Cebu City
Dasmariñas
Davao City
General Santos
General Trias
Iligan
Iloilo City
Las Piñas
Makati
Malolos
Manila
Muntinlupa
Parañaque
Pasay
Pasig
Puerto Princesa
Quezon City
San Fernando
San Jose del Monte
Taguig
Valenzuela
Zamboanga City

Disclaimer

This information is sourced from open platforms and is for general awareness only. Costs may vary based on individual cases. Please consult a qualified doctor for medical advice and explore options within your budget before deciding on the procedure.

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