All surgical procedures come with a certain amount of risk. Thanks to advancements in technology and surgical procedures, these risks are at an all-time low.  But they still exist, and patients should educate themselves on the potential risks of any procedure before deciding to go under the knife. In this blog, we are going to walk through the potential complications of a hernia surgery.

Recurring Hernia

One of the biggest things that hernia patients worry about is the possibility of the hernia coming back after the repair surgery. Various factors can cause a hernia to recur after the procedure. Having a skilled and experienced surgeon will cut down on your risk of failed repair surgery. After that there are a number of lifestyle choices (like eating well and exercising regularly) that can help you avoid re-herniation. Also, following your surgeon’s advice regarding activity restrictions in the immediate post operative period is essential.

Pain

Pain is an inevitable aspect of any surgery. Hernia surgery requires the surgeon to make incisions in your body. This involves cutting through skin, muscle, and other soft tissue. After the surgical wounds are sown back up, it can take the body days, weeks, or months to fully heal itself. This post-surgical pain can be controlled with a variety of pain medications, from over-the-counter NSAIDs to long acting local anesthetics to prescription opioids.

Nerve Damage

Damage to the nerves is another potential risk of any surgical procedure. Thankfully, most hernia repair procedures are now minimally invasive. This essentially means that the surgeon is able to make a smaller incision, and interfere with less tissues and nerves during the procedure. This alone reduces the risk of nerve damage in the course of the surgery.

Infection

Every surgical procedure carries a risk of infection.  However, hernia repair has a very low (1%) risk of infection.  Most patients receive a dose of antibiotics preoperatively.  In addition, it is important to have your surgery performed in an institution with a low rate of surgical site infections such as surgery center.

Even though these risk factors exist, the benefits of a hernia repair FAR outweigh the drawbacks. If you are suffering from a hernia and require surgery, contact a general surgeon who specializes in hernia repair and has a successful track record.