Counseling -- Inguinal Hernia.
Good morning Mr. Smith I am Dr. Munagapati senior house officer in the department of Surgery. I would like to have a chat with you regarding the lump in your groin. You came here with abdominal pain and constipation and after examining you I came to the diagnosis that you are having an inguinal hernia in the right groin. (Other predisposing conditions: chronic cough, urinary obstruction, heavy lifting, ascites and previous abdominal surgery).
The hernia is a defect in the tummy wall through which the contents of the tummy will try to come out when you cough or strain at stool. If we don't treat, it grows and gets twisted thereby reducing the blood supply and causing the death of the tissue. To prevent this the hernia has to be closed surgically. Our consultant Mr. John who is very experienced in this will perform the operation. For the operation you will be put to sleep. Our anesthetist will have a word with you before the operation. It is advisable to stop smoking before the operation. You have to come to the hospital a day before the operation, so that we can prepare your gut for surgery. We may have to transfuse bloods during the operation.
The hernia will be reduced, by incising the skin above the hernia and then the contents are placed back in the abdomen. A nylon mesh is kept in place to strengthen the tummy wall and the skin is closed with sutures. The mesh remains there permanently and will not cause any problem. After the operation you will wake up in the recovery room and you will be attacched to an IV cannula and a catheter. You can go home in a day or two, depending on how you recover.
Mr. Smith as with any operation there are few complications associated with this operation. 1) Pain: it will be sore for a few days and we will give painkillers. 2) Infection may develop in the wound which can controlled with antibiotics. 3) Bleeding or haematoma. In spite of all the care we take there is a slight chance of recurrence of the hernia.
Mr. Smith you can return to work in 4 weeks and full activity in 8 weeks. A follow up will be arranged at 6 weeks.
If you have any doubts please don't hesitate to ask. Thank you.