For decades, open hernia surgery was the standard—a surgeon created an incision, fixed the hernia manually, and patients experienced longer recovery, more pain, and visible scarring. Yes, it worked, but frequently it also involved pain and downtime that patients simply had to put up with as part of the protocol.
Then there was a game changer, laparoscopic hernia surgery, a less invasive procedure that made its appearance. With small incisions, a camera, and specialized tools, they now repair hernias with much less trauma to the body. This advanced approach not only allows faster recovery but also minimizes pain, risk of infection, and scarring.
But with both procedures being performed so frequently today, the real question is whether or not laparoscopic hernia surgery is better than open surgery. To figure that out, we need to take a closer look at the pros and cons of each.
Laparoscopic hernia surgery is a new way to repair hernias instead of through a large incision, through small incisions using a special camera and a light source. In this operation, a surgeon uses a small camera (laparoscope) and special tools to make repairs from inside your abdomen through a small incision. On the screen, the camera presents sharp images that are viewed and enables the surgeon to work with great precision.
Open hernia surgery is the traditional way to repair a hernia using just one, larger cut near the hernia. The bulging tissue is pushed back inside, and the weak muscle wall is stitched or reinforced with a surgical mesh. It’s an old, established, and tested practice that has safely and effectively been done for decades.
| Features | Laparoscopic hernia surgery | Open hernia surgery | ||
| Types | It is minimally invasive surgery, which involves small cuts. | It is traditional surgery that has been used for many years and requires larger cuts. | ||
| Size of incision | It is a very small cut on the abdomen | The cut is very large, which can be about 6-8 cm. | ||
| Scarring | The scar is minimally visible. | The scar is more visible abs compared to laparoscopic surgery, which can be easily. | ||
| Pain | After this surgery, pain can be less and less tissue damage. | Pain can be more, and also tissue handling. | ||
| Recovery time | It gives faster recovery, which can occur in a few days or weeks. | It has a slower recovery, which can be more than 1-2 weeks or more. | ||
| Hospital stays | It can be for the same day or 1 night | It can require 1 or 2 days or can be more, depending on the case | ||
| Infection risk | Lower chance of infection | It can be slightly higher because of a larger wound | ||
| Anesthesia | Can be done under general anesthesia | It can be done under local or general anesthesia. | ||
| Cost | Usually higher because it requires special equipment. | More affordable and can be valuable easily. | ||
| Suited for | Bilateral hernias, recurrent hernias, and patients wanting fast recovery with less scarring. | Large, complex hernias or emergency cases where quick access is needed. | ||
| Overall comfort |
|
Effective but may involve more post-operative care and discomfort.
|
If this is the question running through your mind, then you are at the right place. The best surgery for a hernia is dependent on many factors, like the complexity of the case, overall health, the patient’s age, etc. Both surgeries are effective in their places, but both have their pros and cons.
In today’s world of work, if we go for any treatment, we want quick recovery, cosmetic benefits, reduced pain, no hospital stays, and long-lasting results. This is what laparoscopic hernia surgery gives you. But before going to any result, first consult with a leading surgeon like Dr. Kapileshwer Vijay, who provides hernia surgery in Jaipur with both treatments, but he has a specialization in providing laparoscopic surgery, which requires special equipment and specialized training.
