Dr Harsh Shah
MS, MCh (Surgical Gastroenterology), DrNB (Surgical Gastroenterology)
Registered with Gujarat Medical Council, Reg. No. G-38738
Robotic Hernia Surgeon · Apollo Hospital, Bhat, Gandhinagar · Gota OPD, Ahmedabad
In short
Kidney failure does not rule out hernia surgery. But dialysis changes how and when a hernia is fixed. The surgeon and the kidney doctor plan it together.
There are two kinds of dialysis. In PD, fluid is put into the belly through a soft tube. In blood dialysis, a machine cleans the blood. This page covers both, and the hernia found before a new kidney.
In PD, one or two litres of fluid sit in the belly for hours at a time. This pushes on the belly wall every day. Any weak spot can give way. The navel, the groin and the tube wound are the usual places.
Do not ignore a hernia on dialysis. It can grow fast. Fluid can leak into the groin or scrotum. And dialysis gets harder.
How the dialysis type changes the hernia plan
| Situation | What changes | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Peritoneal dialysis | Smaller volumes or a short pause after surgery | Less pressure on the fresh repair |
| Peritoneal dialysis | Mesh usually kept outside the belly lining | The lining stays sealed for the fluid |
| Haemodialysis | Surgery the day after a session | Potassium, fluid and blood thinning are settled |
| Waiting for a transplant | Repair planned before the transplant | Healing is slower after transplant medicines |
| Starting dialysis soon | Hernia checked before a PD catheter goes in | Both can sometimes be done together |
On dialysis and found a hernia? Bring your latest blood reports and your dialysis schedule.
On PD, the mesh is usually placed outside the thin inner lining of the belly. The lining stays whole. So the fluid stays where it should, and PD can start again sooner.
Open, keyhole or robotic repair is chosen for each person. It depends on the type of hernia, the tube and any past operations.
A new kidney means a new wound in the lower belly. The medicines that protect it also slow healing. So it is usually safer to fix the hernia first.
If you are waiting for a kidney and have a hernia, tell your kidney team. The repair can then fit into your plan.
Warning signs after surgery
Call the clinic or your dialysis unit the same day.
The dialysis fluid sits inside the belly for hours each day. Its weight and pressure push on weak spots, so hernias at the navel and groin are common.
Usually yes. Dialysis is often paused or done with smaller volumes for a short time after surgery. Your kidney doctor and surgeon agree the plan together.
It is usually planned for the day after a dialysis session, so the blood salts and fluid are balanced and the blood thinner from dialysis has worn off.
Often yes. A transplant adds a new wound to the belly and medicines that slow healing. Repairing a hernia first is usually safer.
The risks are higher than usual, mainly from heart, blood pressure and potassium changes. Careful planning with the kidney team keeps them as low as possible.
The main page on this site is robotic hernia surgery in Ahmedabad. These cover the neighbouring questions.
Where to find us
Dr Harsh Shah, MS, MCh (Surgical Gastroenterology), DrNB (Surgical Gastroenterology)
Shah's Gastro, Cancer & Robotic Surgery Centre
Apollo Hospital, Bhat, Gandhinagar
Gota OPD, Ahmedabad
Bring your reports. Second opinions are welcome.
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