Hernia

What is Incisional Hernia ?

• A hernia is the protrusion of a ‘viscus’ or part of a ‘viscus’ through an abnormal opening in the walls of its containing cavity.
• ‘Viscus’ is any large interior organ in any of the three great body cavities, especially those in abdomen. It is one of the most common problems that brings a patient to a Surgeon.
• There are various types of hernias divided in different categories and sub categories but one basic division is ‘Spontaneous’ and ‘Acquired’. The most commonly occurring acquired hernia is ‘Incisional Hernia’.
• Incisional Hernia is the hernia occurring through an abdominal incision

When are the chances more ?

• An Incisional Hernia usually starts as a symptomless partial disruption of the deeper layers during the immediate or early post-operative period, the event passing unnoticed if the skin wound remains intact after the skin sutures have been removed.
• Incisional hernia occurs most often in obese individuals, and a persistent post operative cough and post operative abdominal distension are its precursors.
• There is a high incidence of incisional hernia following operations for peritonitis because, as a rule, the wound becomes infected.

How does it trouble the patient ?

• A post operative hernia ,left without an abdominal binder, usually increases steadily in size and more and more of its contents can become irreducible.
• Attacks of subacute intestinal obstruction are common and strangulation is liable to occur.
• These conditions can be very disturbing and painful for the patient and even the text books of surgery say that it is difficult to offer lasting repair through surgery.