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S U P P L E M E N T T O O U T P AT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | M O N T H 2 0 1 4
T
he medical literature contains a wealth of research on the path-
ways of pain, particularly visceral pain, but it's clear even without a
clinical study that every surgery hurts, and hernia repairs are no
exception. Here are 4 tips for managing post-op hernia pain.
1. Set expectations
Whether the hernia is inguinal or the more complex ventral, there is always
pain: from the underlying condition as well as from the surgical remedy, which
by necessity causes trauma to the tissue. Most patients suffer a certain degree
of post-op discomfort — swelling, bruising and muscle aches are common — in
H E R N I A R E P A I R
Managing Post-Op
Hernia Pain
David Bernard | Senior Associate Editor
Better mesh placement
and preventative pain
control contribute to
faster discharges and
happier patients.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN
FRESH MESH Almost all hernias are
best repaired with surgical mesh.
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EXP-AP-0039-201302
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