In our previous post, we discussed how millions of Americans develop a serious medical condition known as a hernia every year. To recap, the condition — characterized by a prominent and painful bulge in the abdomen — is caused by the deterioration of the muscle in the abdominal wall, which creates a space through which tissue or even an organ can protrude.

We also discussed how thanks to things like misdiagnoses, denial and even pure stubbornness, many people do not undergo one of the three surgical options available to help correct the condition, such as traditional open surgery, laparoscopic surgery and robotic surgery.

While these three surgical options are all viable ways of treating a hernia, it’s important to understand traditional open surgery is being utilized less and less in this area given the time, cost and, of course, risks to the patient.

Furthermore, while robotic surgery is indeed becoming more popular in this area, it’s important to understand the number of hospitals with this type of advanced equipment is relatively small and the robotic surgical techniques used in conjunction with treating a hernia are still being refined.

What this means, of course, is the surgical option of choice among many physicians for the treatment of a hernia is laparoscopic surgery, which involves making a series of tiny incisions through which the necessary telescopic camera and surgical tools are guided. From there, the surgeon views the area which is to be operated on via an OR monitor and manipulates the surgical tools accordingly.

While laparoscopic surgery has certain advantages — less time under anesthesia, less bodily trauma, faster recovery times — hernia sufferers must know it’s not without risks, including:

• Anesthesia errors
• Surgical errors (the perforation of a vital organ, operating at the wrong site, etc.)
• Postoperative errors (medication mistakes, infections, etc.)

None of this is certainly meant to dissuade or even cause any unnecessary fear. Rather, it’s simply meant to drive home the importance of asking questions before undergoing the procedure and taking other precautionary measures.

It’s also meant to drive home the importance of speaking with an experienced legal professional in the event anything goes wrong.

At Richards & Richards LLP, we have extensive experience handling these complex cases, and understand what it takes to prepare and develop a compelling case. To learn more about how we can help if you’ve been victimized by a laparoscopic surgery error undertaken to correct a hernia — or any other medical condition — please visit our website.