Hernia Surgery with pacemaker

Hi there!

by Lavender - 2024-11-07 20:12:53

I haven't had a hernia. However there are lots of discussions on this site from folks who had both a pacemaker and a hernia! Go to the top right menu. On the left it will drop down choices. Go to the magnifying glass on the bottom of the choices. Type in hernia. You will see that you're not alone in needing this repair while having a pacemaker. It's definitely doable! They probably will have a pacemaker rep on hand. Surgeons  are used to handling patients with pacemakers and will have a protocol in place. 

I can understand your concern given your complications that led to the pacemaker. Hopefully with this repair, you will not need any further surgery for a long time and can enjoy life!

Thanks

by PSUCW2024 - 2024-11-07 23:01:45

Appreciate your help Lavender on this I am still a new be in the site. 
Thanks 

Hernia surgery with a pacemaker

by Gemita - 2024-11-08 03:51:48

CW as with all surgeries, those of us with heart rhythm irregularities may be more prone to worsening symptoms during any trauma/surgical procedure.  I believe you have already discovered this after your previous hernia and valve replacement procedures when I believe Atrial Fibrillation was triggered?  Now that you need another inguinal hernia repair and the fact that you have a pacemaker, requires extra care to be taken to ensure that both you and your pacemaker will not be harmed.  I am sure you have spoken to your cardiac team about this and what extra steps can be taken to help prevent any potential worsening symptoms?  You may for instance need extra medication to help control Atrial Fibrillation during your hernia procedure?

Another concern and one which your medical teams will be well aware of, is that surgery with a pacemaker will require that certain safety precautions be met to keep both you and your pacemaker safe.  Your pacemaker team may ideally need to be present for the duration of the surgery, to place your pacemaker in a safe mode before the procedure, to monitor your pacemaker during the procedure and then to restore normal settings and to monitor you for a period after the procedure to ensure your device continues to work appropriately.  Your teams will know what to do, but as patients, we need to be reassured that any electrical interference, for example from electrocautery which is a frequently used tool today in surgical procedures to help reduce bleeding, will not adversely affect you or your pacemaker?  To this end, it will be so important to find out which tools will be used during the hernia procedure and what extra measures might need to be put in place to protect you?  

I hope you have a successful procedure and that you will stay safe

Thanks Gemita

by PSUCW2024 - 2024-11-10 21:17:53

Appreciate your comments they are helpful. I have an appt with my EP on Tuesday and will see what he feels is h best needed. They said I am low risk for the procedure so not sure what that means but want to be sure if am safe during and after the surgery and the pacemaker can be stopped and started as you note. 
Great supporting comments as always. 
CW