Incisional hernia

Incisional hernia refers to abdominal wall hernia at the site of a previous surgical incision. It is a type of ventral hernia. Midline incisional hernias are more common than other sites. It can be a definite hernia with all the hernia components of the defect, sac, and content. Or, it can be a weakness of the wall with shallow sac and occasional bulge of content.

What Is Incisional hernia?

  • Incisional hernias can develop after abdominal surgery. They happen after up to 15 to 20 percent of abdominal operations involving incisions. Certain factors may increase or decrease your risk for developing an incisional hernia.
  • The most noticeable symptom of an incisional hernia is a bulge near the incision site. It’s often most visible when you strain your muscles, such as when you stand up, lift something, or cough. Besides a visible bulge, incisional hernias might also cause:
  • nausea and vomiting
  • fever
  • burning or aching near the hernia
  • abdominal pain and discomfort, particularly around the hernia
  • faster heartbeat than usual
  • constipation
  • diarrhea
  • thin, narrow stool

While you’re most likely to develop a hernia between three and six months after your surgery, hernias can occur before or after this time frame.

Reducible vs. irreducible

Hernias are often categorized as reducible or irreducible:

  • Reducible hernias can be pushed back in. They may also shrink when you lie down.
  • Irreducible hernias happen when part of your intestine pushes into the hernia, making it hard to push the hernia back in.

Irreducible hernias can lead to bowel obstruction, which can then lead to a strangulated hernia. This requires immediate treatment.

Call your healthcare provider right away if you notice that the bulge has tuned dark red or purple or you feel severe pain.

What causes them?

Incisional hernias happen when the surgical cut in your abdominal wall doesn’t close properly after surgery. This can cause your abdominal muscles to weaken, allowing tissue and organs to form a hernia.

Several things can prevent the surgical cut from healing properly, including:

  • putting too much pressure on your abdomen
  • becoming pregnant before the cut fully heals
  • getting back into physical activities too soon after surgery

Sometimes, there’s no clear reason why a surgical cut doesn’t properly heal.

Hernias are more likely after emergency surgery or surgery that requires a large incision. If the edges of the wound aren’t properly aligned after surgery, the incision may not heal well, increasing the likelihood of a hernia. The sewing technique used to close the incision can also play a part.

 

 

Dr. Rahul Yadav is a senior surgeon from India. He has experience of 7 years in the field of medical science and advanced surgery technology. He specializes in all types of general Surgeries, Laser Surgeries, Hernia, and Laparoscopic Surgery.

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