Is Your Surgeon Recommending the One Best For You?
Once your hernia is diagnosed, the conversation turns to how is it going to be repaired. There are several methods to repair a hernia and your surgeon should be skilled in and familiar with them all.
There is no right hernia repair technique that applies across the board. The right method depends on several factors, including the type of hernia you have, your unique anatomy, and the extent of the hernia.
In general to repair an indirect inguinal hernia, the Marcy technique is a good option that gives excellent results and minimal postoperative pain.
For direct inguinal hernias, your surgeon might recommend the Bassini, the Shouldice or the Desarda techniques.
The Bassini method is a good option if your inguinal canal is weak, but not completely torn. Expect a little more tension and pain with this repair compared to other methods.
The Desarda method works well too, but you must have an external oblique aponeurosis strong enough to act as a patch to cover the inguinal floor. If it’s weak or torn, the Desarda isn’t an option. There is minimal tension on the repair with this method.
A Shouldice repair is a four-layer method of repair, thus making it one of the stronger repair techniques. If your inguinal ligament is torn, this method may not be an option for you. This method leaves little tension on the repair.
The McVay method uses your Cooper’s ligament to repair the inguinal floor instead of the inguinal ligament. This makes the McVay an alternative to the Shouldice method. Also, it’s used if you have an associated femoral hernia present. The McVay has more tension on the repair than the other techniques, so expect a longer recovery time compared to other methods to avoid disrupting the sutures.
Dr. William Brown has performed non-mesh hernia repair surgeries since 1986 for professional athletes and others across the U.S. and from 15 other countries. His experience means he understands that each patient’s situation is different so the repair technique must match. In other words, hernia repair isn’t a one-size-fits-all surgery. Sometimes to repair your hernia, your surgeon will need to combine aspects of a combination of methods. This is why your surgeon’s experience matters if you want to achieve the best results and avoid re-injuries.
To find out more about which non-mesh hernia repair method is best for your injury, contact Dr. Brown today.