Open Herniorrhaphy

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• A herniorrhaphy (her-nee-or-uh-fee) is surgery to fix a hernia (her-nee-uh). An open hernia repair means that an incision (cut) is made over the hernia. Through this incision, your caregiver sews the muscle and tissue wall to make it stronger.
  
  
• A hernia is a weakness in the abdominal wall through which inner tissue pushes through. It may pouch out and look like a balloon under your skin. Many people refer to a hernia as a "rupture." You may have an inguinal (in-gwih-null) hernia which is in the area where your upper leg and lower abdomen (belly) meet. A man may feel a lump in his scrotum if he has an inguinal hernia. An umbilical (um-bill-ih-kull) hernia is in your belly button. Or, you may have an incisional hernia in a scar from an earlier surgery.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

There are always risks with surgery. You may bleed more than usual or get an infection (in-fek-shun). You could have trouble breathing or get blood clots. Caregivers will watch you closely for early signs of these problems. Call your caregiver if you are worried or have questions about your medicine or care.

GETTING READY:

• The Week Before Surgery:
  
  
  • Ask your caregiver if you need to stop taking aspirin or any other blood thinning medicines before your procedure.
    
    
  • Ask your caregiver before taking any over-the-counter medicine, such as laxatives.
    
    
  • You may need blood tests before your procedure. Talk to your caregiver about these or other tests you may need. Write down the date, time and location for each test.
    
    
  • If caregivers think you may need a blood transfusion during surgery, you may be able to donate your own blood before surgery. This is called autologous (ah-tall-uh-gus) blood donation. This must be done no later than 3 days before surgery. Or, you may also ask a family member or friend with the same blood type to donate their blood. This is called directed blood donation. Talk to your caregiver for more information on autologous or directed blood donations.
    
    
  • Your caregiver may want you to empty and clean out your bowel before surgery. Doing this will help to keep your bowel from getting infected after surgery. Your caregiver may ask you to do one or more of the following things:
    
    
    • Eat high fiber foods for 1 to 2 days before surgery. Good examples of high fiber foods are fruits, vegetables, cereal, and bread. Also, drink 6 to 8 glasses (soda-pop can size) of water daily.
      
      
    • Drink a special liquid called a cathartic (kuh-thar-tik) the day before surgery. This will give you diarrhea but cleans out your bowel quickly.
    
    
  • Take antibiotic (an-ti-bi-ah-tik) medicine before surgery if given to you by your caregiver.
  
  
• The Night Before Surgery:
  
  
  • You may be given a pill to take to help you sleep.
    
    
  • Ask caregivers about directions for eating and drinking.
  
  
• The Day of Surgery:
  
  
  • Write down the correct date, time, and location of your surgery.
    
    
  • Wear loose, comfortable clothing to the hospital.
    
    
  • Ask your caregiver before taking any medicine on the day of surgery. These medicines include insulin, diabetic pills, high blood pressure pills, or heart pills. Bring a list of your medicines or the pill bottles with you to the hospital.
    
    
  • Do not wear contact lenses the day of surgery. You may wear your glasses.
    
    
  • If you are staying in the hospital after surgery, bring your personal belongings with you. These include your bathrobe, toothbrush, denture cup (if needed), hairbrush, and slippers. Do not wear jewelry or bring money or important personal papers to the hospital.
    
    
  • An anesthesiologist (an-iss-thee-z-all-o-jist) may talk to you before your surgery. This is the caregiver who gives you medicine before and during surgery so that you do not feel or remember the surgery.
    
    
  • Informed Consent:
    
    
    • You have the right to understand your health problem. In words you can understand, you should be told what tests, treatments, or procedures may be done to treat your problem. Your doctor should also tell you about the risks and benefits of each treatment.
      
      
    • You may be asked to sign a consent form. If you are unable to give your consent, someone who has permission can sign this form for you. A consent form is a legal piece of paper that gives your doctor permission to do certain tests, treatments, or procedures. This form should tell you exactly what will be done to you. Your doctor should tell you what the risks and benefits of each treatment are before you sign the form. Before giving your consent, make sure all your questions have been answered so that you understand what may happen.

TREATMENT:

• What Will Happen:
  
  
  • You will be asked to change into a hospital gown. You may be given medicine in your IV to help you relax or make you drowsy. You will be taken on a cart to the operating room and then moved from the cart to a special bed. You may get medicine called local and/or regional anesthesia (an-iss-thee-zuh) that will numb your abdominal wall. Or, you may get general anesthesia to keep you completely asleep. You and your caregiver will decide which type is best for you.
    
    
  • Caregivers will clean your abdomen with soap and water. This soap may make your skin yellow, but it will be cleaned off later. Sheets will be put over you to keep the surgery area clean. After your hernia is repaired, the incision will be closed with thread or staples. Adhesive strips may be put over your incision.
  
  
• After Surgery: You are taken to a room where you can rest until you either wake up or feeling returns to the numbed area. You will then be allowed to go home. Or, if you are staying in the hospital you will be taken back to your room. Do not get out of bed until your caregiver says it is OK. A bandage is used to cover your stitches or staples. This bandage keeps the area clean and dry to prevent infection. A caregiver may remove the dressing soon after surgery to check the incision.
  
  
• Waiting Room: This is a room where your family can wait until you are ready for visitors after surgery. Your doctor or nurse can then find them to let them know how the surgery went. If your family leaves the hospital, ask them to leave a phone number where they can be reached. When it is time for you to go home after surgery, someone will need to drive you home. Do not drive home alone. An adult should stay with you for at least 24 hours after surgery.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have questions or concerns about your surgery.
  
  
• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• The problems for which you are having surgery get worse.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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