What preparations are needed before surgery for inguinal hernia?

Generally, preoperative preparation for inguinal hernia surgery mainly includes completing physical examinations, adjusting diet and performing bowel preparation, controlling underlying diseases, maintaining skin cleanliness, and psychological adjustment and understanding of the surgery. The specific details are as follows:

1. Complete Physical Examinations: Prior to surgery, patients must undergo tests such as complete blood count, coagulation function, liver and kidney function, electrocardiogram (ECG), and chest X-ray. These assessments help doctors evaluate the patient's overall health and identify any contraindications for surgery, such as coagulation disorders or severe cardiopulmonary conditions.

2. Adjust Diet and Perform Bowel Preparation: One to two days before surgery, patients should adjust their diet to include light, easily digestible liquid or semi-liquid foods such as rice soup and porridge, minimizing residual food in the intestines. On the evening before surgery or on the morning of the procedure, patients should take laxatives or undergo enemas as directed by their doctor to clear the bowel.

3. Control Underlying Diseases: Patients with chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, or chronic bronchitis must actively manage their conditions under medical guidance prior to surgery. For example, hypertensive patients should consistently take antihypertensive medications to maintain blood pressure within a range suitable for surgery.

4. Maintain Skin Cleanliness: Patients should bathe the day before surgery, paying special attention to cleaning the skin in the surgical area to remove dirt and oils. If there is excessive hair in the surgical site, hair removal should be performed as instructed by the medical team to reduce bacterial growth and lower the risk of postoperative wound infection. Care should be taken to clean gently and avoid skin damage.

5. Psychological Adjustment and Understanding the Surgery: Patients may experience anxiety or nervousness before surgery. Communicating with the surgeon to understand the surgical procedure, duration, and postoperative recovery can help alleviate psychological stress. It is also important to ensure adequate sleep and avoid staying up late, so as to approach the surgery with optimal physical and mental condition.

Adequate preoperative preparation is crucial for the success of inguinal hernia surgery. Patients should strictly follow medical advice and actively cooperate in completing all preparatory steps, laying the foundation for a smooth surgical process and rapid postoperative recovery.