Umbilical hernia repair: Choosing a surgeon and more

A reader writes (in italics). My comments are in normal text.

 

I am writing on behalf of an otherwise healthy 30-ish-year-old relative, who was recently diagnosed with an umbilical hernia, and another “just above it”.

She was diagnosed about a month ago, and was sent to see a surgeon (not sure what kind). The surgeon suggested a repair using mesh. She’s apprehensive moving forward with surgery based upon several reasons:

She felt rushed during the consultation. She wasn’t given much information regarding the procedure, wasn’t prepared with many questions, and failed to voice her questions/concerns. She has since tried to contact the office to get some questions answered but hasn’t gotten a response.

This is not medical advice. For that, I would need to examine your sister.

It was probably a general surgeon. You have mentioned three red flags—she felt rushed, she wasn't given much information, and the office has not called her back. I would suggest you get another surgeon.

She consulted Google and has read “bad things” online. She is concerned with the probability of having to have repeat surgeries.

Recurrence may occur after any hernia operation. For a small umbilical hernia, the risk should not exceed 5%. The infection rate for umbilical hernia repair is also fairly low, but if an infection occurs, a recurrence is likely.

Can you offer real information regarding the types of procedures out there? Are there superior methods, as suggested by many of the “scholarly” looking articles, which eventually turn into advertisements? Many tout methods such as Shouldice, Bassini/McVay, Tension-Free, etc. The info I have come across is conflicting and confusing.

The information on the Internet is confusing. The methods you mentioned are eponyms for groin hernia operations. They do not pertain to umbilical hernia repairs. There are three currently accepted methods of repairing an umbilical hernia—open suture repair, open mesh repair, and laparoscopic mesh repair. The mesh repairs involve insertion of a piece of artificial material to reinforce the abdominal wall. The theory is that the patient's tissue broke down once so why rely on it to fix the hernia? Recurrence rates (at least rates that are published) tend to be significantly lower when mesh is used.

I am unaware if there is a hernia sub-specialty, but if there is, what would be the best way to find such a surgeon? If not, is there an existing database that provides information that details the number of hernia surgeries performed by a surgeon?

There are some surgeons who specialize in repairing hernias. I don't know of a database listing the number of hernia operations performed by individual surgeons, nor is there any information on individual surgeons' recurrence rates. The latter information is usually unknown even to the surgeon because patients with recurrences tend to go elsewhere for repeat surgery.

Can you list questions she should ask her surgeon that will aid her confidence in the decision-making process? Her pain symptoms started about 2 years ago, and I fear what she risks by continuing to delay.

Questions that should be asked include the following: what type of repair should I have, how many of these repairs have you done, do you know your recurrence rate, what if I need to contact you at night or on a weekend.

Because she is symptomatic, she probably should have elective surgery. Not having surgery runs the risk of incarceration, or the trapping of a piece of intestine in the hernia. If this happens, pain would be severe and the hernia would not be reducible. Emergency surgery would be required and the risk of recurrence would be higher. If the bowel's blood supply is irreversibly damaged, some of it may need to be removed. This also increases the risk of complications.

I would find another surgeon to do the operation, preferably a general surgeon with expertise in hernia repairs. If the two hernias are not close together, the laparoscopic method might be best provided she has not had extensive prior abdominal surgery.

I hope this helps.

A patient wants to know when to speak up

Matthew writes:

My only experience with the medical profession is strictly as a patient. I'm wondering what is an appropriate balance between being an educated patient (willing to ask questions, make observations, etc.) versus being one of those supposedly "self-educated" know-it-all patients that I'm sure are one of the banes of a doctor's existence.

We've all heard the stories of the patient whose doctor didn't listen to their concerns until it was too late, but on the other hand, I don't deny that my doctor knows worlds more about my body than I do, or ever will.

I want to trust my doctor, but without having to blindly accept whatever he tells me. Yet I've dealt with members of the medical community who see anything BUT blind acceptance as a personal affront.

As such, is there ever a time to research symptoms online before making an appointment? Is there ever a time to disagree with a diagnosis? Is there ever a time to request or ask about alternate treatments? And if so, how can this be done in a way that is respectful to my physician?

You ask some excellent questions.

I’m not sure I have all the answers. I hope some of my physician colleagues will comment. 

There is a fine and very fuzzy line between asking good questions and being a pain in the ass. And that line is drawn in different places by different doctors. It ranges from zero tolerance for questions (See Dr. Sung on “Monday Mornings,” who, when asked a question about a procedure he recommended, said, “Not do—dead.”) to the most open-minded, usually a primary care doc or psychiatrist. There are issues of time, urgency, the physician’s perception of the patient’s level of understanding, the complexity of the disease or operation and many more.

I had no problem with patients who researched their symptoms online. However, I would hate it when a patient brought a portfolio with 100 pages of downloaded material for me to comment on. There is a lot of garbage on the Internet.

I think you should always ask what your options are. Informed consent discussions should include the risks, benefits and alternatives for any procedure. The doctor should also tell you what the risks and benefits of the alternatives are too.

Go with your gut. If what the doctor says to do does not sound right, say you will think it over. Don’t be afraid to get a second opinion. Run away quickly from any doctor who discourages second opinions. I always encouraged second opinions for patients who were reluctant to have surgery I recommended. I felt that if I was proposing the right thing, the second opinion doctor would support me.

One of the worst things a patient can do is be too acquiescent to the physician. I used to tell patients “Don’t worry about hurting your doctor’s feelings. This is your life we are talking about. The doctor will get over it. If she doesn’t, you don’t want her as a doctor anyway.”