Developing a hernia can be inconvenient and painful. You may suddenly get a hernia or develop one over time.
Causes of hernias include the following:
- Heavy lifting
- Straining during bowel movements
- Coughing
- Gaining weight
- Pregnancy
If you experience discomfort or pain because of your hernia, your physician may recommend a surgical procedure. Before you undergo surgery, you should know about the different surgical methods, potential complications and possible surgery errors.
Types of hernia surgery
There are two main methods for treating a hernia. The first type of surgery is open surgery. Open surgery requires the surgeon to make a cut, push the hernia back into place, tie it off or remove it and close it with stitches. The other strategy is laparoscopic surgery, which involves the surgeon inflating your abdomen, making tiny incisions and repairing the hernia with mesh.
Hernia surgery complications
Potential complications that may develop during or after the operation include the following:
- Recurring hernias
- Nerve damage
- Infection
- Chronic pain
- Blood clots
While most hernia surgeries are safe, it is always possible for problems to arise.
Hernia surgery errors
Unfortunately, not every surgeon is trustworthy and competent. The following are possible mistakes your surgeon may make before or during the procedure:
- Failing to inform you of the risks and benefits of the operation
- Unnecessarily performing surgery
- Using the incorrect surgical technique
- Leaving a foreign object, such as a surgical tool, inside your body
- Performing surgery in the wrong part of your body
- Damaging a nerve
- Giving too much anesthesia
If your surgeon makes mistakes, you may suffer serious medical complications, emotional distress and possibly even death.
Medical malpractice lawsuits
According to an analysis on the U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institute of Health website, medical malpractice lawsuits are common when complications result from clinical negligence. The compensation of malpractice litigation can be between $19,000 to $8,000,000.
If your surgeon fails to adhere to the proper standard of care during your surgery, you may want to take legal action.
