What is involved in the long-term monitoring of abdominal hernias?
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What is involved in the long-term monitoring of abdominal hernias?
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@sarkarsatarupa For patients with easily reducible hernias or with hernias found upon physical examination, follow-up visits with the general surgeon should be scheduled within the 1-2 weeks following the procedure. Patients with umbilical hernias may be discharged with close follow-up care if the defect is less than 2 cm in diameter and the hernia is not incarcerated or strangulated.
Accurate postoperative instruction and easy access to care (if problems arise) are as effective as a full postoperative visit after routine inguinal hernia repairs. Patients should be educated to avoid those activities that increase intra-abdominal pressure and instructed to return if they note an irreducible hernia, increased pain, fever, or vomiting.