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Does a Hernia Always Require Surgery?

Jul 14, 2022
Does a Hernia Always Require Surgery
Hernias don’t repair themselves or go away on their own, but not every hernia requires surgery. If your hernia causes discomfort or pain, you probably need surgery sooner rather than later.

Hernias don’t repair themselves or go away on their own. Only surgery can repair a hernia, but that being said, not every hernia requires surgery. If you have a hernia that needs surgical repair, Laureen Forgione-Rubino, MD, develops a surgical plan that fits your needs. 

Hernias are holes in your abdominal wall that allow a piece of intestine or fat to stick out. Left untreated, most hernias tend to get bigger over time as the muscle of the belly gets weaker and allows more tissue to bulge through. Some people refer to the bulge as their “alien baby”!

When a hernia may not require surgery

Many people with small hernias can delay surgery for months or years, and some people never need surgery for their small hernias. Instead of scheduling surgery, you can watch a hernia without symptoms to ensure it isn’t getting worse. If the hernia doesn’t bother you and doesn’t get worse, you may never need surgery.

When hernias require surgery

Hernias that cause discomfort or pain probably require surgery sooner rather than later. Left untreated, hernias can lead to a rare but serious problem called strangulation. Hernia strangulation is when a piece of fatty tissue or a loop of the intestine gets trapped inside the hernia and gets cut off from its blood supply.

Dr. Forgione-Rubino examines the hernia to customize a treatment plan, choosing minimally invasive procedures whenever possible.

Types of hernia surgery

The type of hernia surgery you need depends on the type and location of your hernia. Dr. Forgione-Rubino commonly performs the following techniques:

Robotic hernia repair

Dr. Forgione-Rubino uses robot-assisted devices to repair your hernia with smaller incisions than traditional hernia repair surgeries.

Laparoscopic hernia repair

Dr. Forgione-Rubino makes a small incision next to your hernia to insert a laparoscope, a thin tube with a camera and light. The hernia is repaired using small surgical tools through the incision and by the images provided through the laparoscope.

Open hernia surgery

Open hernia surgery is the traditional method for repairing hernias and is also the most invasive. Dr. Forgione-Rubino makes an incision to repair the weakened abdominal wall.

To find out if your hernia requires surgery, call the office of Laureen Forgione-Rubino M.D. in Manchester, Connecticut, or schedule an appointment online today.