Can I have hernia surgery if I have a cold?

Because the weather is always changing, it is easy to catch a cold. In fact, a cold will not affect hernia surgery, but if you have a cough, it is best to wait until you recover before having surgery, because there will definitely be a wound after the surgery, and coughing hard will pull the wound, which will have a certain impact on recovery and delay discharge time.

Hernia symptoms

1. If the contents of the hernia are the small intestine or colon, symptoms of intestinal obstruction such as paroxysmal abdominal distension, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and difficulty in anal defecation and flatulence may occur.

2. If the contents of the hernia are the bladder or kidneys, obvious urinary system symptoms may appear, such as frequent urination, urgency, pain, hematuria, low back pain, etc.

3. If the contents of the hernia are the fallopian tube, ovary or greater omentum, there may be non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms such as dull pain in the abdomen, dull pain in the lumbar region, loss of appetite, indigestion, and intestinal bloating. When the hernia contents are strangulated, systemic poisoning symptoms of varying degrees will appear, such as fever, increased white blood cell count, water, electrolyte and acid-base imbalance, and even shock.

Causes of Hernia

Physical factors:

Due to developmental defects of the umbilicus, the umbilical ring fails to close, or the adhesion and healing of the umbilical cord root tissue and the umbilical ring are poor after the umbilical cord falls off. When the intra-abdominal pressure increases, the omentum or intestinal tract protrudes through the weak part of the umbilicus to form an umbilical hernia.

Congenital factors:

What people usually call pediatric hernia, from a medical point of view, mainly refers to congenital indirect hernia. This is because the boy's testicles descend to the scrotum through the inguinal canal before birth, and the peritoneum moves downward to form the processus vaginalis. If the processus vaginalis has not closed after the baby is born, it will become a larger cavity. The contents of the abdominal cavity will protrude from here to the body surface, forming an indirect hernia. Because the right testicle descends slightly later than the left, the processus vaginalis closes later, so there are more right-side inguinal hernias. Of course, girls can also develop indirect hernias due to weak abdominal walls, but the incidence rate is very low.

Hernia Treatment

Western medicine treatment of hernia:

1. Non-surgical treatment:

Smaller umbilical hernias, such as those with a diameter less than 1.5 cm, can usually heal themselves within 2 years of age as the abdominal wall strengthens with development.

Given that umbilical hernias in infants rarely become incarcerated, nonsurgical treatment can be given first.

1. Tape sticking method:

Take a medical tape about 5 cm wide and 6-10 cm longer than the patient's waist circumference, cut one end about 5 cm in front into a tongue shape, and make a horizontal opening in the middle of the other end to allow the opposite side to be inserted. After insertion, gauze can be padded inside the back of the waist covered with tape. It must be appropriately tight and the hernia sac should be empty or inward-recessed. Generally, it should be replaced once every 1-2 weeks and can be used continuously for 3-6 months. An elastic band can be added to the outside to prevent the tape from slipping off. Due to the difficulty and complications of tape application, the above operations should be performed by medical staff.

2. Elastic abdominal belt method:

This method is especially suitable for newborns and infants. You can wear the elastic belly band during the day, loosen it when you sleep, and adjust the tightness frequently. This method is relatively simple to operate, and it can prevent the umbilical hernia from expanding excessively while ensuring the child's food intake and abdominal elasticity.

2. Surgical treatment:

Children over 2 years old whose umbilical hernia has not healed on its own should undergo surgical treatment.

The specific method of the operation is to make a corresponding arc-shaped incision 1 to 2 cm below the umbilical hernia, free the skin flap, and expose the anterior sheath of the rectus abdominis on both sides. The linea alba and hernia sac are incised, and the peritoneum is incised if the hernia sac is not intact. The intestine was returned, the hernia sac was removed, and the peritoneal resection edge was sutured at the hernia ring. The transverse abdominal fascia is sutured horizontally, and then the linea alba is sutured longitudinally to close the umbilical ring and repair the weak area of ​​the abdominal wall. Finally, the skin flap that retains the umbilicus is sutured in situ.

Hernia treatment in traditional Chinese medicine:

Chinese medicine treatment :

1. Appropriate amount of mother cloves.

Usage: Grind into very fine powder and bottle and seal.

Usage 1: Take appropriate amount of medicine powder to fill the navel, fix it, and change the medicine every 2 days. It usually takes 4 to 6 times to see results. While applying the medicine, it is necessary to actively eliminate the pathogenic factors that may easily cause increased abdominal pressure.

Usage 2: Take 2 portions and apply them to the soles of both feet and navel respectively, cover with cotton, fix with adhesive tape, and change the patch once every half month.

2. Cimicifuga, Astragalus, and jujube. Usage: Decoction in water.

3. Astragalus, Cimicifuga, longan meat, ginseng (Codonopsis pilosula), and roasted licorice. Usage: Decoction in water.

4. Accompanied by fennel. 2 live crucian carps. Usage: either steam or boil in water, no salt added, take once a day, for 5-6 times.

5. Lychee seeds, orange seeds, and fennel. Usage: Grind the above medicinal materials into powder together, mix with brown sugar and boiled water and take 6 grams, twice a day.