Incisional Hernia – Causes and Treatment

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INCISIONAL HERNIA Causes and Treatment

• By
• Dr. Valeria Simone MD
• (Southlake General Surgery, Texas, USA)

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Overview

• An incisional hernia is a bulge or protrusion
  that occurs at the site of previous abdominal
  surgery. The bulge consists of abdominal
  contents, including the intestine and/or omentum,
  pushing through the weakened area of the
  abdominal wall. In medical terms, incisional
  hernias are sometimes also known as ventral
  hernias.
• They are relatively common, occurring in up to
  20 of patients who have undergone abdominal
  surgery.
• Incisional hernias are discussed further down the
  page, along with their causes, symptoms, risk
  factors, and possible treatments.

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CAUSES OF INCISIONAL HERNIA
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• Surgical incisions that fail to heal properly
  might result in incisional hernias. As a result,
  your abdominal muscles may get weakened, which
  increases the risk of developing a hernia.
• Incomplete healing of the surgical incision can
  be caused by several factors, including
• conceiving a child prior to the wounds complete
  recovery
• exerting an excessive amount of pressure on the
  abdominal region
• resuming strenuous activity too soon after
  surgical recovery
• The failure of a surgical wound to heal might
  occur for seemingly no reason at all.
• If youve recently had an emergency surgery or
  one that involved a major incision, you may be at
  increased risk for developing a
  hernia. Hernia risk is increased if the surgical
  incision does not heal properly due to misaligned
  wound edges. The incisions healing potential may
  also depend on the type of stitches used to close
  it.
• Incisional hernias are also more common in people
  over the age of 60. If you are at risk for an
  incisional hernia, it is important to talk to
  your doctor about ways to prevent the condition.

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Symptoms of Incisional Hernia

• An incisional hernia occurs when abdominal
  contents protrude through a surgical incision
  that has not healed properly. Instances of
  physical exertion, such as standing up, lifting,
  or coughing, tend to highlight the condition.
  This type of hernia can be painful and may cause
  serious health complications if left untreated.
• Symptoms of an incisional hernia may include
• nausea and vomiting
• fever
• abnormally rapid heart rate
• constipation
• feces that is thin and narrow
• discomfort and pain in the midsection, especially
  at the hernia site
• pain or inflammation at the hernia site
• diarrhea
• Hernias can arise at any time, either before or
  after the normal recovery period of three to six
  months following surgery. However, the risk of
  developing a hernia during this period is the
  highest.

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A Reducible Hernia and an irreducible hernia
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• There are two main types of hernias, the
  reducible and the irreducible
• Reducible Hernia. It is a type of hernia that can
  be pushed back into the body cavity. This type of
  hernia is less serious than an incarcerated or
  strangulated hernia because the hernia can be
  easily treated. However, if a reducible hernia is
  left untreated, it can become an incarcerated
  hernia or strangulated hernia. Symptoms of a
  reducible hernia include a bulge or protrusion
  at the site of the hernia, pain, or discomfort at
  the site of the hernia, and/or difficulty moving
  or coughing.
• Irreducible hernias. It is a type of hernia that
  cannot be pushed back into the body cavity. This
  type of hernia is more serious than a reducible
  hernia because it cannot be easily treated. If an
  irreducible hernia is left untreated, it can
  become incarcerated or strangulated. Symptoms of
  an irreducible hernia include a bulge or
  protrusion at the site of the hernia, pain, or
  discomfort at the site of the hernia, and/or
  difficulty moving or coughing.
• An irreducible hernia can lead to a bowel
  obstruction, potentially resulting in a
  strangulated hernia. This requires immediate
  medical intervention.
• If the swelling turns a deep red or purple color,
  or if you are in excruciating pain, you should
  seek medical attention immediately.

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Risk factors of Incisional Hernia

• The possibility of a patient acquiring a hernia
  in the postoperative period is increased by
  several circumstances, including the following
• pre-existing diseases or illnesses, such as
  diabetes, chronic lung disease, or kidney failure
• medications, such as steroids and
  immunosuppressants
• an infection of the wound
• smoking
• obesity
• By giving yourself the necessary time to recover
  from abdominal surgery, you can lessen your
  chances of developing a hernia.
• Even without pre-existing risk factors, hernias
  can still occur, underscoring the importance of
  adhering to postoperative recovery protocols as
  prescribed by a doctor. You shouldnt engage in
  exercise or other physically demanding activities
  until your doctor gives you the all-clear, even
  if you feel well.

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Treatment of Incisional Hernia

• Hernias cant be fixed without surgery because
  they dont heal on their own. The first step in
  treating an incisional hernia is to see a doctor.
  The doctor will likely order a CT scan or other
  imaging test to confirm the diagnosis. Once the
  diagnosis is confirmed, the doctor will discuss
  treatment options with the patient. The goal of
  treatment is to close the hole in the abdominal
  wall and prevent the hernia from recurring.

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Treatment of small or reducible hernias

• It is possible that you will be able to postpone
  surgery without putting your health in jeopardy
  if you have a hernia that is either small or
  reducible. When determining whether surgery is
  necessary to treat the hernia, your healthcare
  practitioner will consider your medical history
  in addition to other relevant variables.
• If your hernia isnt making you extremely
  uncomfortable, you might be able to wait out the
  discomfort without resorting to surgery. However,
  it is worth noting that larger hernia repairs may
  be more challenging than smaller ones.
• If you choose not to have surgery, your doctor
  may recommend wearing a special belt to retain
  pressure on the hernia and keep it from
  protruding.

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Treatment of Large or irreducible hernias

• If your hernia worsens or becomes inconsolable,
  surgical intervention will be required. In most
  cases, the course of treatment that is suggested
  will be determined by the symptoms you are
  experiencing, the severity of the hernia, and the
  overall health history.

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Open Hernia repair

• In open hernia repair, an incision is made
  directly in the hernia sac. A hernia is a hole in
  the abdominal wall that can only be repaired by
  surgically repositioning the intestine and other
  affected organs back into the abdominal cavity.
• In some cases, mesh patches are used to further
  fortify the area around the hernia. Youll have a
  mesh patch sewed onto your abdominal wall around
  the hernia, and your body will gradually absorb
  it.

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Laparoscopic Hernia repair

• Instead of one huge incision, laparoscopic hernia
  repair uses a series of smaller incisions. These
  cuts let doctors insert hollow tubes, which are
  then filled with air to inflate the patients
  stomach and expose the internal organs. A surgeon
  will then use the tubes to insert surgical
  instruments, such as a mini camera, and execute
  the necessary procedures. It is possible to
  employ mesh in a laparoscopic repair.
• Lets explore more Incisional Hernia Causes
  and Treatment - Southlake General Surgery

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Make an Appointment

• For more information on Incisional Hernia
  causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, or
  consultation with Dr. Valeria Simone MD, at
  Southlake General Surgery, Texas. You can contact
  our healthcare expert today for a quick
  appointment at 1 [phone]. You can
  also make an online appointment with us.

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• Medically Reviewed By Dr. Valeria Simone MD
• Board-certified General Surgeon at Southlake
  General Surgery, Texas, USA.
• Follow us on Facebook and YouTube.
• Source Incisional Hernia Causes and Treatment
  - Southlake General Surgery
• IncisionalHernia HerniaTreatment
  SurgeryRecovery HerniaSymptoms
  MedicalAwareness SouthlakeGeneralSurgery
  DrValeriaSimoneMD health

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