PHILIPPA’S TOP TIPS INCISIONAL HERNIA

What is it, what causes it, and what kind of treatment is usually of fered?

A hernia is when there is weakness in a muscle allowing part of the body or an organ to protrude through. For example a groin hernia is where a bulge of large intestine protrudes through a weakness in the muscles leading to a lump.

There are various types of hernia; in an incisional hernia the weakness in the muscle wall is due to a previous incision, the scar over the cut made during an operation.

Incisional hernias are actually quite common, occurring after every 1 in 8 of abdominal surgeries.

They can occur after any abdominal surgery, for example to remove the appendix, gallbladder, or a Caesarean. This isn’t that there has been an error with the surgery, but that sometimes the incision didn’t heal well, then becomes weak.

An incisional hernia tends to present with a swelling, lump or bulge along or below the wound from previous surgery. This can cause a dragging sensation or be uncomfortable. The swelling may become bigger when you stand, as gravity pulls the intestines down, or may get smaller when you lie down. You may be able to push the hernia in when you are standing up.

Rarely, an incisional hernia can strangulate, when the contents of the hernia (eg. intestines) gets trapped, cutting of f the blood supply, leading to pain. A strangulated hernia is an emergency, if you suddenly have severe pain please seek urgent medical advice.

An incisional hernia can be repaired by repeat surgery where usually a mesh is used to support the wound. Sadly a recurrence of incisional hernia can occur.

If you are concerned about a wound after surgery, or that you are developing an incisional hernia, see your GP.