An incisional hernia occurs when weakness in the muscle of the abdomen, caused by prior abdominal surgery, allows the tissues, muscles, and/or parts of the internal organs to protrude through the weakened abdominal wall. At Far North Surgery, Dr. Madhu Prasad – a general surgeon in Anchorage, AK and his team are highly trained and qualified to handle complex incisional hernia surgeries with successful outcomes.
Causes of Incisional Hernia
The most common causes of an incisional hernia are:
- Complications from a past abdominal surgery
- Infection
- Poor wound care
- Improper surgical methods or stitching
- A history of multiple abdominal surgeries
- Overexertion
- Excessive pressure from coughing, sneezing, or straining
- Heavy lifting or poor lifting techniques
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
Also Read: When Do You Need Hiatal Surgery?
Symptoms and Signs of Incisional Hernia
The following are the most common signs and symptoms of an incisional hernia:
- Abdominal Pain
- Swelling
- Bulging near the surgical incision
- Visible protrusion of tissue, organ, and/or muscle through the surgical scar
- Infection
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Bowel obstruction
When Do You Need Incisional Hernia Surgery?
If an incisional hernia is small and not causing any problems or complications, you don’t require incisional surgery. However, it often enlarges over time and may cause a part of the intestine to get trapped. In that case, your surgeon may recommend incisional surgery.
How Is Incisional Hernia Surgery Performed?
Incisional hernia surgery can be performed in the following two ways:
- Open Incisional Hernia Repair – This surgical procedure involves making a large incision over the affected area, moving the hernia contents back into the abdomen, and closing the gap from the outside using a synthetic mesh that reinforces the weakened muscle wall.
- Laparoscopic Incisional Hernia Repair – During this surgical procedure, several small incisions are made in the abdomen through which a laparoscope with a tiny camera is inserted inside the abdomen. The camera shows the image of your abdomen on the monitor and allows your surgeon to carefully repair the hernia.
Why Choose Us for Incisional Hernia Surgery? At Far North Surgery, we use the latest equipment and techniques to diagnose and repair incisional hernias. Our team is specialized in treating incisional hernias and is committed to providing relief to our patients with better outcomes and shorter recovery time.
Call us to get the best treatment option for incisional hernias, or answers to any questions you may have.You can also fill out our 1-minute contact form here.