What Are the Serious Complications From Open Inguinal Hernia Surgery?

An inguinal hernia occurs when part of the intestine or other soft tissue passes through a tear or weakened segment in the wall of the lower abdomen. Certain serious complications can result after open surgery to repair a hernia.

The Facts

• The term “open surgery” describes traditional surgical techniques that require large incisions in the skin to gain access to the body’s interior.

General Complications

• According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus website, some of the potential complications of open inguinal surgery are the same as those from in any surgery—bleeding, infection, heartbeat irregularities, adverse medication reactions and development of pneumonia or other breathing difficulties.

Specific Complications

• Specific serious risks of open inguinal surgery reported by MedlinePlus include damage to the intestine, blood vessels or bladder; return of the hernia; long-term pain at the site of the surgical scar; and damage to the testicles.

Considerations

• Most patients do well after hernia surgery and do not experience any serious complications. In some cases, short-term effects occur, including urinary difficulties, according to MedlinePlus.

Alternatives

• Inguinal hernia surgery can be done as a laparoscopy, using tiny cameras to assist the surgeon with smaller incisions that allow for relatively rapid post-surgical healing.