Hernia Repair Postoperative Complications
Any surgical procedure carries the risk for complications. Only a small percentage of patients who undergo hernia repair surgery have postoperative complications, which include:
- Black and blue scrotum and shrunken testicles in men following an inguinal hernia repair
- Inability to urinate
- Recurrence of the hernia
- Respiratory problems, usually resulting from general anesthesia
The surgeon should be notified immediately if the patient cannot urinate after several hours; experiences severe pain that is unrelieved by medication and/or comfort measures; develops a fever of 101°F or higher; or has bleeding, discharge, or severe swelling at the incision site.