Originator: T Trevis/A LarkinDate: June 2012

Version: 2Date for Review: June 2015

DGOH Ref No: DGOH/PIL/00643

Discharge advice followinglaparoscopic hernia repairDay Surgery UnitPatient Information Leaflet

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Contact numbers

If you have any queries or are unsure about any of the informationprovided in this leaflet, please speak to a member ofstaff or contact us on one of one of the numbers listed below.

Russells Hall Hospital - Day Surgery UnitMonday - Friday 7:30am - 9.00pmTel: 01384 456111 extension 1886

Out of hours (Monday to Friday) and at weekends Tel: 01384456111 extension 2125 (Surgical Assessment Unit).

Ask to speak to the nurse in charge. If the nursing staff are unableto address your questions, they will suggest alternative contacts.

For non - urgent queries please leave a message on Tel: 01384456111 extension 1842 and a member of staff will get back to you.

If you have any queries or are unsure about any of the informationprovided in this leaflet, please speak to a member ofstaff or contact us on one of one of the numbers listed below.

Russells Hall Hospital - Day Surgery UnitMonday - Friday 7:30am - 9.00pmTel: 01384 456111 extension 1886

Out of hours (Monday to Friday) and at weekends Tel: 01384456111 extension 2125 (Surgical Assessment Unit).

Ask to speak to the nurse in charge. If the nursing staff are unableto address your questions, they will suggest alternative contacts.

For non - urgent queries please leave a message on Tel: 01384456111 extension 1842 and a member of staff will get back to you.

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Discharge advice laparoscopic hernia repair

About your operation

A hernia repair or a 'rupture' occurs when some of the contents ofthe abdomen usually gut or fat, bulge through a weakness in theabdomen wall. The bulge most commonly occurs in the groin butmay be around the umbilicus or between the umbilicus and thebreastbone in the midline. Weakness in the muscles in theabdominal wall may have been present since birth or due toprevious surgical intervention or trauma.

The operation to repair the hernia involves strengthening the areawhere the rupture has occurred. With non-absorbable suturing alump under your scar is, to an extent, inevitable and you need notworry about it. This can be performed under a general or localanaesthetic.

Laparoscopic surgery is not suitable for everyone, particularly if youhave had previous abdominal surgery or you are not able to have ageneral anaesthetic. The surgeon will need to assess you prior tosurgery to determine whether keyhole surgery is best for yourparticular hernia.

There is a small chance that it may not be possible to completeyour hernia repair by the 'keyhole' method. In such cases thesurgeon will have to convert to the traditional 'open' hernia repair.

Follow up

Should a follow up appointment be necessary, it will be arrangedon discharge. Please ask your admitting nurse if you require a sicknote.

Helpline numbers

If you have any queries or are unsure about any of the informationprovided in this leaflet, please speak to a member ofstaff or contact us on one of one of the numbers listed below.

Russells Hall Hospital - Day Surgery UnitMonday - Friday 7:30am - 9.00pmTel: 01384 456111 extension 1886

Out of hours (Monday to Friday) and at weekends Tel: 01384456111 extension 2125 (Surgical Assessment Unit).

Ask to speak to the nurse in charge. If the nursing staff are unableto address your questions, they will suggest alternative contacts.

For non - urgent queries please leave a message on Tel: 01384456111 extension 1842 and a member of staff will get back to you.

Pain

You may experience some degree of discomfort and sorenessfollowing your operation and should therefore take the painkillersgiven to you on discharge.

If your pain is excessive or your painkillers do not relieve the pain,please contact your G.P.

General guidelines

DrivingYou may resume driving when you are able to walk up and downstairs without any pain. However, before you drive again, put yourfoot to the pedals and simulate an emergency stop-if you can dothat without pain then you are safe to drive-usually within 7 days.

LiftingYou should avoid any strenuous lifting for 4 weeks.

Daily Activities

Individuals vary so much in their recovery and expectations that itis difficult to give firm guidelines about returning to work, you will beadvised by your consultant on the day of surgery how long youneed off work. Sport and sexual activities, you should be guided byyour own body.

As a rule of thumb - if it hurts don't do it and if it does not hurt it isok. Male patients are likely to develop swelling and bruisingusually around the penis and scrotum. The bruising appearsusually after 2 days or so as a purple/blue skin staining. Occasionally the testicle itself will swell, particularly if the herniawas large or had been present for a long time. For the next fourdays wear supportive underpants even at night.

Wound care

As your wound heals it may feel itchy, tingly, lumpy or numb andmay pull slightly around the stitches - this is normal and is part ofthe healing process. The dressing on your wound may be removed48 hours after your operation and you may shower as normal, butplease avoid perfumed products until your wound has completelyhealed.

Your stitches may be dissolvable or will need to be removed 10-14days following your surgery. You will need to make anappointment at your G.P. surgery to see the practice nurse on thedate given to you on discharge.

Please remember that everyone is individual and recoversdifferently following surgery and that it is quite normal to feel tiredand weak for several days, but if this should persist please contactyour G.P.

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