Open Incisional Hernia Repair Versus Laparoscopic (Keyhole) Repair

[Bbbananas]

An experiences anyone?

After having major abdominal surgery just less than 2 years ago, I am thinking of opting for the open procedure - a longer op, more invasive, more painful and longer recovery time - but less risk of bowel damage/ perforation. Albeit a minimal risk, but I imagine i may have internal scar tissue which could pose a problem to the keyhole surgery, and may have to be converted to an open one anyway.

Any thoughts? I have 3 weeks to make my decision and weigh up the pros and cons of each.

[Sqad]

Just a minute:

What did the ultrasound show on the "?incisional hernia?"

Was a biopsy taken

What is being planned?

[Bbbananas]

The uss wasn't too clear, something to do with the "footprint of the uss probe". But I saw the surgeon yesterday who said without any doubt it is an incisional hernia and I am listed for a mesh repair. He left the decision as to open or laparoscopîc up to me.

[Sqad]

OK salla..

We are not dealing with anything too complicated here, just a straight forward repair procedure.There have been many studies comparing keyhole repair to open surgery and the results are mixed.

Keyhole:

Quicker recovery time.
Lesser incidence of infection.
Failure, much the same between the two.

So providing your surgeon is adept at MIS (Minimal invasive surgery, keyhole surgery) then i would certainly go for:

Keyhole procedure.

Off to my Club now.

[Bbbananas]

When you return - what about the possibility of scar tissue from my TAH BSO hindering a keyhole success and a subsequent conversion to open?

Thanks x

[237SJ]

They have instruments that can burn away scar tissue when you have laparoscopic surgery. My cousin had this when she lived in the US (for scar tissue around the fallopian tubes) and for some reason (probably to do with litigation) they gave her a video of the op which we watched on her TV.

[RATTER15]

I was booked in for keyhole surgery for my hernia repair a few years back, When I woke up I was rather surprised at the size of their key!!! I had a scar about 6 inches long.

I was out of hospital the same day but late at night and feeling like I should have stayed in. I was in pain for about 2 weeks and I was off work for about 4 weeks.

[Sqad]

I'm in the cafe now and as it is you, will reply before I get home...;-)

Scar tissue will be the problem whichever route is taken and as RATTER has indicated and indeed if, as happened to RATTER, the keyhole route will have to be abandoned and the wound re-opened.

No big deal for the surgeon.

As long as you are confident, that your surgeon is totally competent with MIS, then, as I have said before, that is the route that I would take.

[Bbbananas]

He trained at Trinity College and Addenbrookesin Cambridge. 20 years' experience as a gastroenterologist and instrumental in introducing keyhole surgery for hernias at his Peterborough Hospital.

Chinese in origin - obviously I won't hold that against him; it's not as though he's Japanese... (That was a joke before anyone swoops in...)

So I suppose i am as safe in his hands as anyone. He did mention a minimal risk of bowel perforation with keyhole, but that it is rare.

Thanks guys for your input.

[Sqad]

\\\\Chinese in origin \\\\
Ah!...I remember him, he worked in a "takeaway" in New England Peterborough.

Just a joke........;-)

[Bbbananas]

Wong Chong with the long tongue...??

Now, there's a True Legend. :-)

[Sqad]

LOL......no it was called the Wan King..........no need for a "long tongue"...........or perhaps there was ;-)

[Bbbananas]

Lol x