Hernias can develop for some of the most mundane reasons, as we’ve helped fix hernias that have been brought upon by such innocent actions as a sneeze or a bowel movement. Because hernias are a pretty common problem as we get older and structure walls weaken, medical researchers have been perfecting new ways to surgically fix the problem. Below, we’re going to give a quick rundown of how hernia surgery used to be performed, and why it’s much safer today.
Your Father’s Hernia Surgery
Up until the mid 1990’s, the vast majority of hernia surgeries were performed using what’s known as the open technique. During an open surgical operation, the surgeon would make an incision above the hernia that was between three and six inches in length. The incision would be large enough for the surgeon to be able to view the hernia, and the surgeon would pull healthy tissue around the hernia and sew them in place using sutures. The sutures would eventually dissolve, but not until healing had taken place and the muscle wall had been re-strengthened to prevent another hernia.
This method was seen as the standard technique for fixing a hernia, but it wasn’t perfect. The incision site was large, which meant the patient had to deal with a decent amount of pain, and recovery usually took 4-6 weeks. Tension repair also left the patient susceptible to hernia recurrence.
Today’s Hernia Surgery Repair
So while the open technique was considered the standard, that doesn’t mean it was a perfect solution. Today, we usually use a minimally invasive, non-tension repair technique.
We’ll start with the minimally invasive aspect. During today’s standard hernia repair, the surgeon begins by making a couple small incisions above the hernia site, with most incisions being an inch or less in size. Through these incisions, surgical tools and a tiny camera are inserted. This camera relays a live feed to a large monitor in the operating room, so your surgeon can view the surgical site without needing to fully open up the cavity. This does lead to a couple more incisions that will need to recover, but because they are smaller, they are less likely to scar compared to the large incision used in the open technique. Not only that, but the minimally invasive option leads to a reduced likelihood of complications, a quicker recovery time for the patient, and less overall pain.
Instead of pulling the tissue around the hernia and using a tension technique, surgeons today usually use a non-tension or mesh technique. The surgical mesh is made of flexible material that remains in the abdomen and helps foster healthy tissue growth, which helps repair the hernia site. There are a number of different types of mesh available, so surgeons can find the exact right type for your operation, and it also has a lower recurrence rate than the old tension technique.
For more information about how hernia surgery is performed today, or to talk to a hernia surgeon about fixing your hernia, reach out to Dr. Koeplin’s office today.
Wrongful Death and Dependency Benefits in Minnesota
Fatal workplace accidents are an unfortunate reality. Nobody expects to suffer a fatal injury on the job, but there is some solace in knowing that Minnesota provides benefits to spouses and family member in the event of a workplace death. Below, we take a closer look at the types of dependency benefits Minnesota offers in the wake of a fatal work accident.
