Hernias > Should they be operated on?

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"do hernias always need to be operated on?"

You may suspect or know that you have a hernia and have visited a general practitioner, who has confirmed this diagnosis and possibly recommended surgery. Surgery is not always required, but the vast majority of hernias do eventually end up being operated upon. A case can be made for not operating on a particular type of hernia or delaying the surgery. However, over all prompt surgery means that the hernia is operated on at its easiest stage to fix and before possible complications have developed.

These days surgery is usually safe and recovery excellent. However, as with any surgery the patient must take into account possible risks and the results of surgery.

Where a hernia - for example a small direct inguinal hernia is not causing any pain or discomfort and has only been present for a short time or even longer patients may decide to wait. After hernia surgery even if there are no complications pain can be persistent and it has been shown that a very low percentage of patients do experience continuing pain after the operation. One must also take into account whether the pre-operative symptoms of pain will be rectified by the surgery. There are many other social factors to be taken into account. For example pre-employment checks are often carried out these days and if a hernia is present the firm will refuse employment untill the hernia has been repaired.

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Hernia Information - Inguinal Hernias, Hiatus Hernias & Umbilical Hernias