Inguinal hernia can be repaired either by the traditional “open” approach (which is associated with more pain and an average recovery time of as long as 6 weeks) or by using a small telescope known as a laparoscope (with less pain and much smaller scars).
Laparoscopic hernia repair is a surgical intervention to repair a weakness in the abdominal wall (muscle) by using a thin, lighted telescope and a mesh to patch the defect. This ensures less discomfort post-surgery, minimal scarring, as well as a faster return to the patient’s regular activity.
This decision is usually made by a surgeon by performing a thorough examination. The laparoscopic procedure may not be suitable for patients who have previously undergone abdominal surgery, prostate surgery, or have certain underlying medical conditions.
It is at the surgeon discretion or judgement to convert the laparoscopic surgery to an open procedure.
Factors that may increase the possibility to convert to open method are:
The main potential complications after the operation are:
Senior Consultant Surgeon
MBBS (Singapore), FRCS (Edinburgh), MMed (Surgery), MSc (Bioinformatics),
FAMS (General Surgery)
With 20 years of surgical experience, Dr Lee is trained and skilled in using minimally invasive techniques for liver, pancreas, gallbladder and hernia procedures.
His busy practice aside, Dr Lee is actively involved in postgraduate teaching and workshops for junior surgeons, and is still actively involved in academic research at the National University of Singapore.
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