Complex Hernia Treatment

Complex hernia is when there is a loss of abdominal wall domain. These hernias are very complex in nature and unfortunately patients would have suffered because of the hernias. These usually are hernias that happen after prior failed hernia repairs or after major damage control laparotomies where the abdomen was left open for medical reasons. There may be additional complications like fistulas and stomas that may be associated with these types of hernias. Repair of these types of hernia require complex care and evaluation and treatment. It is better to seek expert consultations when dealing with these types of hernias.

Complex Hernia 

A hernia occurs when an internal organ grows or protrudes through a weak spot in your muscles or tissues. When many surgical attempts to seal the hole in the abdominal wall fail, then it becomes a  complex hernia. It is not any type of hernia, but patients who didn’t seek treatment for years may have caused this. 

A hernia is a rather common disorder that can distress people of all ages, including children, the elderly, men, and women. Around 5% of the population has faced a hernia once in their lifetime. There is a 25% greater probability of hernia in males compared to women. 

In addition, when hernia surgery fails and the patient develops a recurrent hernia, the probability of a successful operation decreases with each subsequent surgery. This can also result in a complex hernia. The majority of hernias develop between the chest and the hips in the abdominal cavity. 

Complex Hernia Causes 

There are many reasons for its cause. As we mentioned above, not getting timely treatment and multiple failures of surgeries are the root causes of complex hernia. Here are some of the reasons for causes:

• Aging

• Anaemia (low density of healthy red blood cells)

• Cancer

• Chronic diarrhea or constipation

• Heavy lifting

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

• Hereditary

• Excessive abdominal pressure after surgery

• Multiple hernia surgeries

• Overweight/obesity

• Poor hernia repair

• Wound infection

• Smoking

• Thinning or weakening of the previous surgical area

Complex Hernia Risk Factor

There are similar risk factors just like other types of hernias, besides that multiple surgeries over the abdomen can be the biggest risk factors for a complex hernia. The other factors which can increase the risks are:

• Being overweight or obese

• Lifting heavy objects or straining while moving

• Excessive fluid in the abdominal cavity

• For women, frequent pregnancies 

• Not taking treatment for long-term hernia

• Smoking and alcohol consumption.

• Poor diet or eating habits

All of these can be potential risk factors for it. It is better to avoid persistent coughing, sneezing, and all those activities that may directly or indirectly weaken your abdominal walls. Prevention and timely treatment for any symptoms which can cause this is the ultimate way to help yourself from a complex hernia. 

Complex Hernia Diagnosis

The diagnosis consists of physical examination and, in severe cases, or to get a broader idea of the complexity of the hernia, doctors may prescribe CT scans and MRI imaging.

Surgery

There are two types of surgeries that are offered to patients as incisional hernia treatment. Open hernia repair with mesh and the other most common type of surgery is Laparoscopic hernia repair with mesh. Broadly these surgeries based on the technique can be classified as OPEN SURGERY and MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY.

OPEN SURGERY- Open Complex Abdominal Wall Hernia Repair With Mesh

Open surgery involves open technique. Here an incision is made on the hernia and the hernia is reduced . The defect size is measured . The tension of the closure is evaluated. The avoid tension on the repair various complex abdominal wall release techniques are used  for eg. Anterior or posterior or TAR technique can be used. The contents of the hernia is reduced and the edges of the abdominal wall are identified and are approximated over a mesh after the release. The mesh is placed peritoneal and within the release based on the technique. The surrounding structures are evaluated and the incision is closed.

Open surgery is usually more painful than the minimally invasive surgeries. But there are various medications that we use to help you have better pain control.

For this surgery you may need a complete blood count (CBC), chemistry profile, PT, PTT. Depending on your medical history, we may require additional testing: chest X-Ray, EKG, medical clearance from your primary care physician, cardiac clearance from your cardiologist, additional blood work and finally Anesthesiology clearance.

We recommend that you have your blood work done before having the surgery performed. If this is not possible, please notify the surgical scheduling team at 8884200030.

MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY- Laparoscopic Complex Abdominal Wall Hernia Repair With Mesh

Laparoscopic surgery involves minimally invasive technique. Here we make small 5 mm incisions on the sides of the abdomen and small 10 mm incisions are also made. The abdomen is entered and the contents of the hernia is reduced . Anterior or posterior or TAR technique can be used. The contents of the hernia is reduced and the edges of the abdominal wall are identified and are approximated over a mesh after the release. The mesh is placed peritoneal and within the release based on the technique. and the defect is closed. The surrounding structures are evaluated and the incision is closed.

Laparoscopic surgeries are usually less painful than the open surgeries. We still give you pain medications and nerve blocks so that you feel comfortable and are able to walk about six hours after the surgery.

For this surgery you may need a complete blood count (CBC), chemistry profile, PT, PTT. Depending on your medical history, your physician may require additional testing: chest X-Ray, EKG, medical clearance from your primary care physician, cardiac clearance from your cardiologist, additional blood work and finally Anesthesiology clearance.

We recommend that you have your blood work done before having the surgery performed. If this is not possible, please notify the surgical scheduling team at 8884200030.

Patient education

You may need a complete blood count (CBC), chemistry profile, PT, PTT. Depending on your medical history, your physician may require additional testing: chest X-Ray, EKG, medical clearance from your primary care physician, cardiac clearance from your cardiologist, blood work and anesthesiology clearance.
We recommend that you have your blood work done at the hospital where you are having the surgery performed.

Please download instructions below if you need any further instructions, please notify the surgical scheduling team at 8884200030

why us?

The complex hernia is treated by our hernia specialist in Bangalore at MH Surgery Clinic. Our experienced hernia doctors perform the best surgery possible, catering to all the risk factors with our advanced techniques. In the case of complex abdominal wall hernia repair, the surgeon reconstructs and repositions the abdominal walls. Please do contact us if you face any symptoms. Book your appointment with the best hospital for hernia surgery for any medical consultation.

Our minimally invasive Surgeons are well known internationally in their field. They are experts in the diagnosis and management of various conditions, and innovation of minimally invasive surgery techniques. Our team provides a personalized approach for each patient, offering advanced surgical solutions. Our surgeons educate physicians on innovative techniques through national,international presentations and web-based seminars.