Untreated Hernia Can Be Fatal: Experts

By 121 News

Chandigarh 14^th September:-  "Hernia is a preventable killer and if remains untreated, it can lead to death. Although most hernias aren't immediately life-threatening, but they may require surgery to prevent potentially dangerous complications. Ironically risk of death rate is 7-10 times higher if the hernia is operated in emergency as compared to planned hernia surgery where it is less than 0.05%."

These startling revelations were made by doctors of Max Hospital who have examined and studied many cases in their clinical history and practice, while addressing a press conference at a hotel here today.

Explaining further, Dr KS Dhillon, Director and Head, Laparoscopic and GI Surgery said  that Hernia occurs when an organ pushes through an opening in the muscle or tissue that holds it in place. (e.g. the intestines may break through a weakened area in the abdominal wall). Hernia is a gap or hole in the abdominal wall through which internal contents protrude out. It is most common in the abdomen, but can also appear in the upper thigh, groin and chest areas.

Dr KS Dhillon  explained further that what causes death in patients, is strangulation of intestine which gets trapped in the hernia. They leave their normal position & comes into  a gap or hole in the abdominal wall.  The intestine gets trapped in the hernia opening and blood supply is cut-off causing gangrene of intestine.

Stressing upon the need for early detection and treatment, Dr KS Dhillon said that untreated hernia is like a snake, it never gives any warning signs but presents suddenly with pain and vomiting. Emergency hernia surgery is 5-10 times costlier than an elective surgery due to more complication rates, ICU stay & increase in hospitalization days.

Sunit Aggarwal, General Manager–Operations Max Hospital said that the department of GI Surgery is a centre of excellence for hernia surgery and conducts regular training and observership  programs in laparoscopic hernia surgery for practicing surgeons from all over North India who are keen to master the skills of Laparoscopic Hernia surgery .