Inguinal Hernia Surgery in Uberlândia-MG

The most common symptom is a bulge or lump in the groin, which may increase when standing, coughing, or straining, and decrease or disappear at rest. Discomfort or pain in the area, a feeling of heaviness, and, in some cases, pain radiating to the scrotum may also occur. Hernias that cause persistent pain, increase in size, or do not return to the abdominal cavity when pressed deserve medical evaluation as soon as possible, since the risk of complications can increase over time.

In most cases, the diagnosis is clinical, made through the surgeon's physical examination during the consultation. Imaging exams such as ultrasound of the inguinal region or, in more specific situations, CT or MRI, may be requested when there is diagnostic doubt or for better preoperative planning. The need for additional exams varies according to each patient's clinical presentation.

The surgery usually lasts between 45 minutes and about 1 hour 30 minutes, and may take longer in bilateral cases, larger hernias, or those with more significant adhesions. It is generally performed under general anesthesia, with an individualized preoperative anesthesia evaluation. The exact time varies according to the anatomical complexity found during the procedure.

In most cases, robotic inguinal hernia surgery is performed with a short hospital stay, with discharge the same day or the following day. This time may be longer in patients with associated comorbidities, more complex hernias, or any complications, and is always determined by the care team's individual clinical assessment.

There is postoperative discomfort, controlled with analgesia prescribed according to protocol, generally more noticeable in the first few days and progressively decreasing. The robotic approach, using smaller incisions, tends to involve less pain compared to open surgery, although perception of pain varies from person to person.

In most inguinal hernia repairs in adults, the use of surgical mesh is recommended by international guidelines to reinforce the abdominal wall and reduce the risk of recurrence. Meshes currently used tend to be well tolerated, but like any implanted material, they may, in uncommon cases, be associated with local reactions, chronic discomfort, or the need for removal. The indication and type of mesh are discussed individually according to the characteristics of each hernia and patient.

For light or office-based work, return usually occurs within about 1 to 2 weeks. Jobs that require significant physical effort or heavy lifting tend to require a longer time off, often between 4 and 6 weeks, but this period may vary according to each patient's progress and should always be confirmed with the medical team.

Driving is generally allowed once the patient can perform sudden movements, such as braking abruptly, without significant pain and without using analgesics that cause drowsiness, which usually occurs in the first or second week. Light walking tends to be encouraged early on, while higher-impact exercise or weight training is usually resumed gradually starting around 4 to 6 weeks. These timeframes are general guidelines and may vary depending on healing and the medical evaluation of each case.

In the first few days, relative rest is generally recommended, avoiding heavy lifting and reducing efforts that increase abdominal pressure, such as coughing without supporting the area or straining during bowel movements. Use of a compression belt or band may be recommended in some cases as additional support during initial recovery. Mild swelling in the groin area or, in larger hernias, the scrotum may occur and tends to gradually decrease, but signs of significant redness, fever, or discharge from the incision should be reported promptly to the medical team.

Yes: although repair with mesh and robotic technique tends to reduce this risk compared to older techniques without prosthetic reinforcement, no hernia surgery completely eliminates the possibility of recurrence. Factors such as chronic cough, obesity, intense physical exertion too soon after surgery, and individual connective tissue characteristics can influence this risk. Postoperative follow-up helps identify any sign of recurrence early.

In addition to the general risks of any surgery, such as bleeding, infection, and anesthetic complications, inguinal hernia repair carries risks specific to the operated area, including injury to structures of the spermatic cord (which in rare cases may affect testicular blood supply), chronic groin pain (neuralgia), seroma or hematoma formation, and transient urinary retention. These risks are discussed individually before surgery, and their likelihood may vary according to anatomical factors, hernia size, and the patient's prior surgical history.

In many cases of bilateral inguinal hernia, the robotic technique allows both sides to be repaired in the same procedure, generally with a somewhat longer surgical time than for a unilateral repair. The decision to correct both sides in the same surgery depends on individual clinical evaluation, the patient's condition, and the extent of each hernia.