When a portion of the stomach protrudes through a hole in the diaphragm, the condition is referred to as a hiatal hernia. Hiatal hernia surgery in Reading PA is often required to repair the condition. The surgery is often performed by laparoscopic procedures. These procedures are less invasive than traditional surgery and it carries fewer risks of a complication. This hiatal hernia surgery repairs the hole found in the diaphragm and returns the stomach to its customary position. Even with laparoscopic surgery the recovery period can easily be six weeks, longer if normal open surgical methods were employed.
During the procedure the patient is subjected to general anesthetic meaning the patient is completely sedated. Laparoscopic surgery is the preferred method and by far the most common method as it takes less time for the patient to recover and return to a normal life. There are cases where open surgery must be used, if the herniated area is too large or if the condition of the patient is such that open surgery is best. Open hiatal hernia surgery in Pennsylvania requires a substantial opening and does take longer to recover from but at times it cannot be avoided.
Laparoscopic hernia surgery requires that several tiny incisions be made in the patient’s abdominal region. The various incisions are used for the insertion of a camera and the instruments that are used in the performance of the procedure. The surgeon does not have to make a large incision; he can repair the damaged diaphragm and manipulate the stomach through the small incisions. Once the procedure is concluded, the surgeon closes the incisions with sutures or in many cases, glue. After a day or two of observation in the hospital the patient is free to go home should there be no evidence of bleeding or other complication.
Like any surgery, recovery takes time; in this case the recovery period is about six weeks with the first week being the most difficult. For this period the doctor will have prescribed pain killers and movement must be restricted in complete compliance with the directions given by the surgical team. The diet must be watched carefully during recovery, avoid all gassy foods and fried foods. If defecation is difficult, stool softeners can be taken. Hernia surgery is one of the procedures undertaken by surgeons in Reading, PA. Minimally invasive surgery is performed by the surgeons, resulting in less pain and a shorter recovery period,
