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DAY-CASE SURGERY: PATIENT INFORMATION SHEET

HERNIA

A hernia is a bulge in the abdominal wali due to a weakness in the muscle wali. At your operation. the weakness will be identitied and repaired. using either stitches or a nylon mesh. This procedurę is often carried out as a day case. but even when you go home there will still be discomfort in your groin for 5-7 days. You may go back to normal activities as soon as you feel able. and this will usually depend on pain.

Wound/stitches/dressings

The skin will have been closed with either a long continuous stitch visibłe only at either end of the wound. or with separate individual or dissolvable stitches. We will let you know if and when they are to be removed. The wound may bleed a little; if it does, press firmly over the wound for 5 minutes. If the wound becomes hot. red. swollen or painful. go to your GP or Accident and Emergency.

Pain

We will give you a supply of pain killers. Take these regularly for the first 24-48 hours. then after that as necessary. Do not wait until you have pain.

Working/driving/exercise

You should plan to take the first 2 weeks after surgery relatively quietly. The amount of exercise is limited by discomfort but. once this has settled. normal activities including lifting can be resumed. You should not drive until you are able to do an emergency stop comfortably-practise this before driving!

Bathing/showering

Avoid bathing/showering for a couple of days. Your dressing may come off the first time you have a bath. This is all right and it does not need to be replaced.

Follow-up

A follow-up appointment will not normally be madę to see the surgeon again but one can be arranged via your GP or the day surgery unit. There is a smali incidence of recurrent hernias, i.e. a hernia reappearing over the following years. This only occurs in approximately 2-5% of cases; if it does happen. you should contact your GP. There is a smali chance of a degree of numbness below the wound. This should not cause undue concem and usually settles in time.

© Elsevier. Garden et al: Principles and Practice of Surgery 5e - www.studentconsult.com