An incisional hernia occurs in the area of a former surgery site. The incision from a past surgery can leave the muscles of the abdominal wall in a weakened condition. This weakening of the abdominal wall may cause a small opening to form through which the lining of the abdominal cavity can poke through. This can also lead to organs being able to push through the abdominal wall, depending on the level of severity in your particular case of incisional hernia.
People who are obese or pregnant are more likely to suffer from incisional hernias. A higher number of past abdominal surgeries increase the chances of developing an incisional hernia. The incision site is weakest while healing after hernia surgery, which increases the chances of developing a hernia. Instances of increased pressure on the abdominal area, such as weight gain, pregnancy, or heavy lifting, can all contribute to causing an incisional hernia. Incisional hernias may occur at different times, usually three to six months following surgery, but can also develop immediately or over the course of months or even years.
Incisional hernias are “reducible,” meaning they alternately appear and disappear from visibility while protruding underneath the skin. While pain may occur, the protrusion is usually tender when touched.
One option for repairing a hernia is open surgery, but this is not considered the best method of repair. Open surgery involves creating a larger incision at the previous surgery site, which may irritate the area and cause further complications. Open surgery to fix incisional hernia may also require additional surgeries to reach success. A better option for fixing an incisional hernia is laparoscopic surgery, which involves two small incisions made at the abdominal area. A camera is inserted into the first incision and the surgical instruments are inserted into the second incision, which are used to repair the hernia. The hernia is moved back into its proper place and a hernia mesh is used to keep it secure. For a smaller hernia, several sutures are used to stitch the hernia back into place. For larger hernias, a synthetic mesh is installed to restore the hernia and keep it secure. Both the sutures and mesh are permanent.
It is very important after the surgery to follow the advice of your hernia specialist and avoid any extraneous activity. You have to be very careful to not strain your abdominal area or engage in any heavy lifting, as the surgery site will be very sensitive following the hernia repair procedure. There are great hernia specialists in Los Angeles to help you before, during, and after the procedure of your incisional hernia repair. If you have or are experiencing such complications from a prior surgery and believe you may have a hernia, do not hesitate to schedule an appointment for a hernia repair surgery.