Is Laparoscopic Surgery Safe For Treatment Of Hernia?

Posted on Thu, 26 Jun 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 26 Jun 2014 Answered on

Thu, 17 Jul 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I'm 67, good health, non smoking/drinking male. 6'1" -- 180 lbs. CT and physical exam confirm fat-containing umbilical hernia. Not very visible and slightly reducible at naval, otherwise asymptomatic. I have very little omentum fat according to general surgeon but he says risk of incarceration is always a concern & recommends surgery. Laparoscopic I think. I'm also diagnosed with PTSD and this is clouding my thought process. Is surgery likely a good idea? Are there many risks of repairing this hernia? And, worried about mesh, if used. Thank you so much.

Answered by Dr. Ajit Naniksingh Kukreja (17 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Not Very Risky

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for writing in

What is the size of the defect on CT ?

Reducible omentum may not cause very bad problems

On the other hand laparoscopic surgery is very safe, we perform it with just two ports

DO not worry about the mesh, a good variety of mesh are available with are easily accepted by the human body

Hope this helps
Do write back in case of concern

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D