Does every hernia need surgery?
A hernia does not heal by itself, but not every hernia needs surgery at once. What decides it?
“You have a hernia and you need an operation” is something many people hear. Sometimes that is right, and sometimes it can wait. The difference comes down to a few questions.
Will a hernia heal?
A hernia in an adult does not close by itself. A truss and exercise do not treat it either, and surgery is the only way to repair it. But that does not mean surgery at once.
What decides it?
- Symptoms: a hernia that hurts or limits daily life is usually offered repair.
- Type of hernia: a femoral hernia traps more often and is usually repaired sooner. A small groin hernia without symptoms in a man can be watched.
- General health: heart and lung disease, older age and medicines change the risk of surgery.
- Work and life: someone with heavy work may decide sooner.
What does watching it mean?
It means the doctor has examined the hernia and you have agreed together not to operate for now. That is different from forgetting about it. You need to know the signs of a trapped hernia and come back if it becomes more painful or larger. Many people who watch a hernia do reach surgery with time.
A warning
A hard, painful bulge that will not go back, especially with nausea or vomiting, may be a trapped hernia and is urgent. Go to the emergency department.
A second opinion
If you are unsure, asking another doctor is a sensible thing to do. Take your earlier reports and results with you.