Virginia-area Minimal Invasive Surgery specialist, Dr. Giath Alshkaki, highlights the success of laparoscopy in repairing hernias.

Alexandria, VA – Infinity Surgical Associates, located in Alexandria, VA, specializes in minimally invasive, laparoscopic hernia surgery. With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Giath Alshkaki and performing hernia repair for the full range of hernias including umbilical hernias, inguinal hernias, hiatal hernias, incisional hernias and complex ventral hernias.

 “A hernia occurs when, for a variety of reasons, there is a weakening of the abdominal wall,” explains Dr. Alshkaki. “The weakened area allows a portion of the intestines or stomach to push or bulge through creating a hernia.” Straining, physical exertion, obesity, pregnancy, prior surgery and injury are all potential triggers for a hernia, which can occur in both men and women and must be surgically repaired. “A hernia really must be treated,” Dr. Alshkaki stresses, “there’s no reason for a person to endure the pain and discomfort of a hernia. They will not heal themselves and left untreated can cause complications.”

Surgical treatment options for hernias include traditional, open surgery or laparoscopic surgery. At Infinity Surgical Associates, Dr. Alshkaki routinely performs laparoscopic surgical repair of hernias. “While the post-surgical results of laparoscopic hernia surgery are comparable to those of traditional surgery, there are some distinct advantages,” Dr. Alshkaki says.

Drastic Reduction in Risk of Infection
“Approximately two to six percent of patients undergoing traditional hernia surgery will experience some type of surgery-related infection. With laparoscopic surgery, the rate of infection is very rare,” Dr. Alshkaki explains. The surgical correction is nearly identical in each procedure concept wise, but the minimally invasive nature of laparoscopy requires only a few small incisions no cutting of small nerves which accompanies larger incisions for the conventional procedure.

Biologic Mesh Patch
Dr. Alshkaki and his team use a biologic mesh patch to repair the hernia. Created and sterilized from collagen fibers from the tissue of a cadaver or animal, this unique patch is more successfully accepted by the body. With nylon or polypropylene and other synthetic mesh patches there is a greater risk of infection and rejection. “Studies show that in years following the surgery, a biopsy of the biologic patch is undetectable as anything other than human tissue,” says Dr. Alshkaki. Further, the chance that the hernia will return after patching technique with mesh is low.

Expedited Patient Recovery
Performed as outpatient surgery, laparoscopic hernia repair allows the patient to return home the same day as the procedure. After a normal rest and recovery period, patients are able to return to work and regular activities much faster than with open surgery.

Though the Coast of laparoscopic surgery is greater, Dr. Alshkaki believes the benefits are significant enough to justify it. “Coast will improve over time,” he adds, “but the most important thing for a patient is to choose the procedure and the surgeon that’s right for them.”

Dr. Giath Alshkaki, founder of Infinity Surgical Associates, is also Medical Director of The Center for Infinity Colorectal Health in the greater Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. area and leader of the GI lab at Inova Alexandria Hospital. To learn more about Infinity Surgical Associates and their full range of surgical procedures, including abdominal surgery, gallbladder surgery, advanced breast surgery and bariatric surgery, visit www.infinitysurgery.com.