Diagnosis

To be able to diagnose “pain after umbilical hernia surgery” or “postoperative wound pain”, it is necessary to exclude possible other causes of pain:

If an inpatient stay is necessary after the procedure, this is ensured by a regular check of the wound.
During an outpatient surgery, where the patient is allowed to go home afterwards, it is advisable to consider the differences between normal postoperative pain and pathological conditions, as described above. If the pain is mild to moderate and lasts only a few days, the course of the pain is absolutely normal.

Associated symptoms

In addition to the pressing and pulling pain that typically occurs at the suture, the pain may also radiate to the groin or upper abdomen. In addition to pain, postoperative loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, confusion and fatigue can also occur. This occurs mainly when the operation is performed under general anesthesia and should not last longer than one day.

Also due to the general anesthesia, hoarseness and coughing may occur after the operation. The reason for this is the use of a breathing tube during the operation. If a net is inserted to additionally stabilize the hernia site, a foreign body sensation in the abdomen may occur afterwards. This usually improves in the course of the operation, but can also occur permanently.Other accompanying symptoms are haematomas, swelling, discharge of wound secretion from the suture area, redness, small amounts of pus around individual sutures and a feeling of tension around the surgical site.

Treatment/Therapy

Postoperative pain typically occurs as soon as the pain medication of the anesthesia wears off. They increase within a few hours and reach a maximum, which slowly subsides after about a day. If the pain becomes very severe, it is possible to relieve it with so-called NSARs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).

These are either prescribed automatically on discharge or on request by the treating physician. Cutting and suturing during an operation causes local inflammation and irritation of smaller nerves. NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, inhibit inflammation-related pain, making them ideal for relieving wound pain.

Other possible drugs are metamizole and paracetamol. In addition to drug therapy, the most important treatment for postoperative wound pain is, however, physical rest. Only after about six weeks is lifting heavy loads or a sporting activity recommended again. Adequate protection can significantly reduce the duration and intensity of pain.