Our Summary

The researchers carried out a study on women aged 18-50 who had undergone hernia repair surgery, or herniorrhaphy, between June 2000 and December 2014 in the USA. Their goal was to estimate how many of these women needed a second herniorrhaphy and to identify any risk factors for this. They found that 13% of the 123,674 women they studied needed a second herniorrhaphy within 10 years of the first one.

Risk factors for needing a second herniorrhaphy included: getting older, having other health conditions, having given birth, smoking, being obese, and having had the surgery as an inpatient.

Also, they found that women who had a cesarean delivery before umbilical hernia surgery were 61% more likely to need a second surgery. If they had a vaginal or a cesarean delivery after umbilical hernia surgery, they were about 2.5-3 times more likely to need a second surgery.

Similarly, women who had either a vaginal or a cesarean delivery after incisional/ventral hernia surgery, or a vaginal delivery after inguinal/femoral hernia surgery, were also more likely to need a second herniorrhaphy.

In summary, for women of childbearing age, risk factors for needing a second hernia repair surgery include having given birth (especially by cesarean), getting older, having other health conditions, smoking, and obesity. The risk is higher if the childbirth occurs after the initial hernia repair compared to before it.

FAQs

  1. What percentage of women in the study needed a second herniorrhaphy within 10 years of the first one?
  2. What are the risk factors for needing a second hernia repair surgery?
  3. How does childbirth affect the likelihood of needing a second hernia repair surgery?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about hernia repair is to maintain a healthy weight, quit smoking, and discuss any plans for future pregnancies with their healthcare provider. These factors can help reduce the risk of needing a second hernia repair surgery. Additionally, following post-operative care instructions, avoiding heavy lifting, and being mindful of any signs of recurrent hernia can also help prevent the need for additional surgeries.

Suitable For

It is important to note that these findings are specific to women in the study population and may not necessarily apply to all patients recommended for hernia repair. Typically, patients who are recommended hernia repair are those who are experiencing symptoms such as pain, discomfort, or a visible bulge at the site of the hernia. Additionally, patients with hernias that are causing complications such as bowel obstruction or strangulation may also be recommended for surgery. Ultimately, the decision to undergo hernia repair surgery is made on a case-by-case basis by healthcare providers based on the individual patient’s medical history, symptoms, and overall health.

Timeline

Before hernia repair:

  1. Patient may experience symptoms such as pain, discomfort, or a visible bulge in the affected area.
  2. Patient may undergo diagnostic tests such as physical examination, ultrasound, or MRI to confirm the presence of a hernia.
  3. Patient may receive recommendations from their healthcare provider for hernia repair surgery.

After hernia repair:

  1. Patient undergoes hernia repair surgery, which may be performed laparoscopically or through an open surgical procedure.
  2. Patient may experience some pain, swelling, or discomfort in the surgical area after the procedure.
  3. Patient is advised to follow post-operative instructions such as avoiding heavy lifting, taking prescribed medications, and attending follow-up appointments.
  4. Patient may gradually resume normal activities and experience relief from hernia symptoms.
  5. In some cases, patient may require a second hernia repair surgery due to factors such as age, other health conditions, childbirth, smoking, or obesity.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about hernia repair include:

  1. What type of hernia do I have and what are my treatment options?
  2. How experienced are you in performing hernia repair surgeries?
  3. What are the potential risks and complications associated with hernia repair surgery?
  4. What is the success rate of hernia repair surgery for my specific type of hernia?
  5. How long is the recovery time after hernia repair surgery?
  6. Will I need to make any lifestyle changes after hernia repair surgery to prevent the hernia from recurring?
  7. Are there any specific risk factors for needing a second hernia repair surgery that I should be aware of?
  8. If I plan to have children in the future, how might that affect the likelihood of needing a second hernia repair surgery?
  9. Are there any steps I can take to reduce my risk of needing a second hernia repair surgery?
  10. How often should I follow up with you after hernia repair surgery to monitor my recovery and the risk of recurrence?

Reference

Authors: Louie M, Strassle PD, Moulder JK, Overby W. Journal: Hernia. 2020 Jun;24(3):577-585. doi: 10.1007/s10029-019-02077-6. Epub 2019 Nov 26. PMID: 31773551