Ventral Hernia Treatment

Any protrusion of the intestine or other tissue through a weakening or breach in the abdominal wall is referred to as a ventral (abdominal) hernia. 

Ventral hernia is when a hernia occurs in the anterior abdominal wall. There are various types of ventral hernias. Based on the locations they are classified as epigastric, umbilical , paraumbilical and so on and so forth. These can be classifies based on the etiology of the hernias too. Ventral hernias can happen anywhere and anytime. Patients usually complain of a bulge or pain at the hernia site. Sometimes patients can have severe symptoms with pain nausea vomiting and may need immediate attention.

The most common risk factor for hernias is obesity and prior surgery. Other risk factors that contribute are poor tissue integrity, diabetes, prior or current steroid use and smoking. It is better for most patients with incisional hernia to have CT scan of the abdomen to further evaluate the hernia. CT scans are also helpful in formulating the types of surgery for the hernia.

Ventral Hernia Classification

 It is classified into three types: 

 - Umbilical Hernia: It is a condition in which the intestine extends beyond or above the surface of the belly button (navel).

 - Epigastric Hernia: An epigastric hernia is a bulge that can cause pain in the midline between your belly button and sternum (breastbone). It is also known as a stomach hernia.

 - Incisional Hernia: An extrusion of tissue from a healed surgical scar. About 15% of abdominal hernias are caused by this type of hernia.

Ventral hernias do not heal on their own and must be repaired with surgery. Ventral hernias, if left untreated, can get bigger and worsen over time. Untreated hernias can be difficult to heal and can result in catastrophic problems, such as the strangling of a piece of the intestine.

Ventral Hernia Symptoms & Risk Factors

The main reasons associated with it are the weakness in the abdominal wall from birth or weakness caused by conditions that put a strain on the abdominal wall. Some of the major symptoms are:

 - The condition of being overweight
 - Coughing episodes that occur frequently
 - Severe nausea and vomiting
 - Fever, or rapid heart rate.
 - Constipation
 - Pregnancy
 - History of lifting or pushing heavy objects.
 - Having a bowel movement or urinating while squeezing
 - Injuries to the bowel area
 - A weakened abdominal wall due to ageing (general elasticity loss)
 - Abdominal pain, particularly around the protrusion
 - Lung diseases (abdominal strain due to breathing difficulties)

The major risk factors are obesity, constipation, abdominal surgery, long-term muscle stress over abdominal muscles, age, smoking habits, and others. It is recommended for the patient if they notice any painful or noticeable bulges in their abdomen.

Ventral Hernia Causes

The causes of a ventral hernia vary based on its location, as well as your medical history, health, and anatomy. The intestine protrudes through a weakness in your abdominal wall, which may be a normal characteristic of your body. It can also be caused by:

 - Chronic coughing, severe or chronic vomiting,
 - Diabetes or other diseases.
 - Heavy lifting
 - Injuries or obesity
 - Pregnancy
 - Prior surgery

Ventral Hernia Diagnosis

Various diagnostic techniques may be used to diagnose ventral hernias, but a health care provider will begin with a medical history and physical examination. A physical assessment of the abdomen region where a ventral hernia may have developed will also be performed. Your doctor may next request abdominal imaging tests to search for evidence of a ventral hernia. These examinations may involve;

 - Ultrasound
 - MRI
 - CT Scan

Ventral Hernia Prevention

Certain situations and actions cause a ventral hernia and avoiding those can help you prevent it. The most important aspect to prevent is wound infection in a surgical area. Some common prevention methods are mentioned below.
 - Maintaining a healthy body weight
 - Avoid heavy lifting of heavy objects or use proper techniques.
 - Increase core strength.
 - Control diabetes
 - Quit Smoking
 - Exercise to keep your body fit.

Surgery

There are two types of surgeries that is offered for patient suffering from hernia. 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 Ventral hernia repair with mesh

Open surgery involves open technique. Here an incision is made on the hernia and the hernia is reduced . The contents of the hernia is reduced and the edges of the abdominal wall are identified and are approximated over a mesh. The placement of the mesh is a choice but the standard of care is to place a mesh within the muscles or peritoneum to avoid any contact with the bowel. 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 medication that we use to help you have a 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 Ventral hernia repair with mesh

Laparoscopic surgery involves minimally invasive technique. Here we make small 5mm incisions on the side of the abdomen and small 10mm incision is also made. The abdomen is entered and the contents of the hernia is reduced and the defect is measured. Here the defect is closed in some situation while in some it is not. But the defect is overlapped with a composite mesh and fixed. 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

BEFORE SURGERY

Please refer to the instructions below in preparation for your surgery. Proper preparation is essential to obtain the best surgical experience and results. Please note that failure to follow these instructions may result in rescheduling your surgery. Our team will contact each patient directly and will be available to answer any additional questions about surgery, scheduling and instructions.

PRE-OPERATIVE TESTING

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?

Ventral hernias do not heal on their own and require surgery to be repaired. Ventral hernias can get bigger and worsen over time if they are not treated. In general, there are two specific methods surgeons use for ventral hernia repair: open surgery and laparoscopic surgery. 

To avoid any complications and get the best treatment, choose MH Surgery as our specialists are experienced and perform highly advanced surgeries. If you experience any symptoms, please consult ventral hernia surgeons or book an appointment with us.

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