Hernia Surgery By Laser - 5 FAQs

In the world of surgery, there is almost always more than one available technique in order to perform a given task. This is no less true in the case of hernia surgery. Having different surgical techniques available allows surgeons and patients to work together to select the optimal type of surgery to fit the patient's situation.

A hernia is simply a protrusion of certain bodily organs or tissues through weaknesses in the abdominal (or other muscle) wall. The protrusion can look from the outside like a lump in the skin. Sometimes, the protrusion will remain in place indefinitely, while in order cases it can pop in and out from view.

Once you have been diagnosed with a hernia, your doctor will probably help you to schedule hernia surgery to correct it. Among the available surgical techniques, one that you may have heard of is that of hernia surgery by laser.

If you are curious about hernia surgery by laser, here are 5 FAQs:

1. Hernia surgery by laser refers to the making of the initial incision:

When people talk about hernia surgery being performed via laser, they are referring to the creation of the initial incision that must be made so that the doctor can properly access the affected area.

2. A laser cannot directly repair the hernia itself:

However, contrary to what some people may think, a laser cannot be used during surgery to repair the hernia itself. Rather, that is accomplished with other tools. The reason for this is that a laser can only cut tissue, much like a scalpel can. Part of surgical repair for hernia involves use of a synthetic mesh to repair and strengthen the affected area.

3. Using a laser to create incisions was thought to reduce patient pain:

When the technique was first introduced, lasers were used in the case of some hernia surgery situations as a way to potentially reduce the pain of the incision (as compared to when using a scalpel and other traditional surgical tools). However, it is not clear whether there is any evidence that using a laser to make those initial incisions actually contributes toward a reduction in pain.

4. Today, laparoscopic surgery for hernia repair is common:

While laser-mediated surgery for hernia may not have gained significantly in acceptance among surgeons, laparoscopic surgery still remains quite popular. This involves the creation of a relatively small incision in the patient's skin so that a tiny camera can be used - in conjunction with other tools - to reach the affected area.

5. Recovery time with laparoscopic surgery is shorter than with traditional surgical techniques:

Laparoscopic surgery patients generally recover more quickly than do open hernia surgery patient due to the much smaller incision size required.

If you are interested in surgery by laser, ask your doctor whether such a procedure is right for you. Regardless, understand that in any case the laser is not actually used to repair the hernia itself, but rather is only used as a means of opening up the incision so that the surgeon can properly access the affected site.

Find hernia surgery recovery tips for a faster recovery at: surgerycompanion.info/hernia-surgery-recovery Hernia Surgery Recovery Tips.