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Hernia a significant drain on health care resources
Hernia is a common problem and surgery is the only cure with several
surgical options available to patients. Hernia surgery can also be
a day-care procedure under local anaesthesia, allowing an early return
to normal activity.
This was stated by Dr Hasnain Zafar, Consultant General Surgeon and
Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery at Aga Khan University
Hospital (AKUH), Karachi, while giving a presentation on 'Diagnosis
and Treatment of Hernia'. Dr Zafar was speaking at 'Signs, Symptoms
and Care', a monthly public health awareness programme recently organised
by AKUH at its Clifton Medical Services centre in Karachi.
Hernia affects individuals in all age groups and represents a significant
drain on health care resources. If left untreated, it can result in
very serious complications. "Modern hernia surgery involves the use
of non-absorbable suture material, prosthetic mesh and, in certain
cases, laparoscopic techniques," explained Dr Zafar. These procedures,
he continued, are carried out using a variety of anaesthetic techniques
such as local, spinal/epidural and general anaesthesia. "With the
availability of these options, it is possible to offer surgery to
every patient, young and aged, in good health or otherwise."
Hernia also causes large numbers of gainfully employed and responsible
members of society to take time off from work, said Dr Zafar, resulting
in loss of productivity and earnings. "Prevention is better than cure
is a common idiom and is particularly relevant to hernia as the condition
can recur after repair. All patients need to know how to help themselves,
especially after surgery, as some hernia-related problems such as
obesity, constipation and cough are avoidable," elaborated Dr Zafar.
"These resultant conditions can be controlled and patients should
not avoid surgery for fear of them," he concluded.
As part of its outreach programme and societal commitment of creating
awareness of early diagnosis and timely treatment, AKUH has organised
over 160 'Signs, Symptoms and Care' programmes in Karachi, Hyderabad
and the UAE.
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