Incisional Hernias

Incisional Hernias - Before Surgery

Preoperative work up helps to assess a patient's ability to withstand the stress of anesthesia.

Preoperative measures for the surgical procedure are:

► Many months before the surgery, the patient's doctor may advise for weight loss to help reduce the risks of surgery and to improve the surgical results.

► In diabetics the control of sugar is advocated.

► In smokers - cessation of smoking for over a month or more before surgery is recommended.

► If on any blood thinning tablets like aspirin - it should be stopped for 3 to 5 days before surgery. Some of the newer medications like clopidrel need to be stopped for a week before surgery.

► However do check with surgeon first before stopping any tablets.

► Close to the time of the scheduled surgery, the patient will have standard preoperative blood and urine tests, an electrocardiogram, and a chest x ray to make sure that heart and lungs and major organ systems are functioning well.

► Starting the night before surgery, patients must not eat or drink anything.

► The lower chest, abdomen, groin and genital area may be shaved and prepared for the surgery.

► The night before surgery a bath maybe advisable. While bathing thorough cleaning of the abdominal and genital area with soap and water a few times can help in lowering the bacterial count and lessen the chances of any infection from surgery.

► An enema maybe administered to the patient prior to performing the surgery. Sometimes a laxative maybe given instead of an enema to clear the bowels prior to surgery.

► Once in the hospital, a tube may be placed into a vein in the arm (intravenous line) to deliver fluid and medication during surgery.

► The patient will be given a preoperative injection of antibiotics before the procedure. A sedative may be given to relax the patient.

► On the evening before the operation a light easily digestible meal is advised.