Treatment of Ventral Hernia & its Complications, Risk Factors

Without the proper supply of the blood the protruded tissues or even parts of the organs there is a danger of tissue/ organ part death so timely treatment for ventral hernia is crucial. In this section of the article you will read about the treatment for ventral hernia, surgery/repair complications and risk factors for ventral hernia.

The basic treatment for ventral hernia begins with diagnosing the medical condition under which the patient is. That can be done only with regular medical check-ups. Your doctor should know in and out of your medical history also including risks of ventral hernia.

Diagnosing the medical condition is beneficial as the ventral hernia treatment can be started when the condition is not risky. The only way to cure ventral hernia is surgery, and that can be done only when the hernia has increased in size or has started to discomfort the person. During the procedure, the projecting tissue or organ is pushed back into the stomach cavity. The discomfort portion of the peritoneum that projects is removed; and the peritoneal is given a closure. The abdominal wall which was opened will be closed and mesh will be set to reduce the risk of it occurring again.

• Ventral hernia reduction: In some cases the doctor is able to push back hernia into your stomach cavity without performing surgery. This process is known as reducing your ventral hernia.
• Laparoscopic surgery for ventral hernia: In the method of laparoscopic surgery for ventral hernia instead of making an incision into your stomach, the surgeons will insert, usually three or four, small keyholes (trocars) into your belly and then with a video camera and long instruments they will repair the hernia from inside the stomach.
• Open surgery for ventral hernia is the most common method from old times till now. The surgeon will make a cut above the hernia in your belly which will be followed by repairing the hernia from outside-in. The final step is to close the incision with sutures or skin glue after the operation.

Ventral hernia surgery is safe in general and is quite common among medical health problems. All the surgeries simple or complex are performed with the risks that should be discussed before with your doctor. These surgery risks depend on various factors like being overweight or previous surgery complications. Diabetic patients or cardiac patients have to be really careful with the ventral hernia surgery. Allergy problems are also to be discussed with your physician to know if you are fine with the anesthesia or any other thing used in your body. These are some common problems but ventral hernia has some of its own factors which are to be taken care of.

It is not compulsory that the ventral hernia which is repaired once will not come back as a problem. Also a new hernia could be formed in your abdomen. These can depend on the patient’s body on how it takes the ventral hernia surgery. Also one should discuss with their physician about the chances of recurrence. These could also mean that you require a second operation for the hernia to be fixed again.

Second operation for ventral hernia can also be needed if the fluid and blood gets accumulated when large meshes are reinforced.

Ventral hernia repair may also bring post-surgery pain or discomfort. The doctors can prescribe suitable pain killers depending on the patient’s body. Also the level of pain is dependent on the patient and the type of ventral hernia surgery done.

There can be a lot of nerves which can be touched, ignited or damaged during the ventral hernia surgery. Your surgeon has to be really careful and try avoiding anything except the ventral hernia while performing the operation. Due to everybody’s uniqueness the nerves are not in the same places due to which the ventral hernia surgery becomes risky. The nerves may get entrapped in any mesh during the operation and if this happens the meshes are to be removed immediately.

Mesh can also shrink in some of the cases. This generally happens when the natural scarring that occurs in the mesh becomes incontrollable and causes a contraction. This can be painful and uncomfortable. Before deciding about the mesh placement the risks should be discussed with the surgeon to avoid the complication.

It is always better to know about the complications that may happen during the surgery. Knowing helps us to tackle the problem in a better way. Everything should be previously discussed with the physician.

Losing excess fat from your body may help you prevent ventral hernia if your weight is not balanced. Get a diet chart for yourself from a nutritionist. Straining while coughing or passing a stool may create clots. There are chances of getting another ventral hernia if you do not prevent it. Some of the preventions for ventral hernia are:

• Lifting heavy objects should be done only when your doctor permits you to do that.
• There are support belts available for you to prevent loosening the abdomen muscles.
• Exercises should be a part of your regular routine. Walking and swimming are two good ways which can help your muscles strengthen.
• Ask your doctor when it is fine to get back to the daily work/activities.

• Patient is vomiting.
• The patient is constipated for many days or a week.
• The patient is unable to pee or peeing very little.
• Subsequent to the ventral hernia surgery, the patient is having the problems of pus, bleeding or swelling in the surgery area.
• The patient has queries or worries about their condition.

• The patient has a high fever.
• The patients’ abdomen has become very hard.
• The patient has severe pain which does not go even after taking the prescribed pills.
• The patient is constantly bleeding from the surgical area.
• The patient is having heavy problem in breathing.

1. Recurrence of Ventral Hernia Following Surgery or Repair

   Surgeons try their best to cure ventral hernia. But sometimes ventral hernia reoccurs due to unexplained or explained reasons. The recurrence percentage ranges from 10 to 50 percent. If a previous operation has caused ventral hernia it certainly means that the tissue in patient’s body is weak. This results in breakdown of repairs done. In recent times ventral hernia has been cured by reinforcing the stomach walls with artificial objects called mesh such as polypropylene. Factors that can bring back ventral hernia include obesity, smoking, infection from previous wound, or surgical error.

2. Risk Factor or Complications of Infection Following Surgery or Repair of Ventral Hernia

   Infection is a surgery or repair complication in ventral hernia. There are higher chances of catching infections while operating or through previously operated area. If an infection occurs it is more likely that ventral hernia will take its place again. In this case the mesh should be immediately removed because of its chances of getting even more infectious. Without removing the mesh it is very difficult to resolve the infection.

3. Chances of Bowel Injury Folowing a Surgery or Repair for Ventral Hernia

   There are chances that there will be bowel injury as a complication of ventral hernia because of the strain given to the intestines. This could cause an abscess or a wound infection.

4. Complications of Bowel Obstruction Following a Surgery or Repair of Ventral Hernia

   Bowel obstruction is a surgery or repair complication in ventral hernia. Adhesions will form if the stomach cavity is entered from any surgery. There are more chances of a second opening for ventral hernia repair so adhesions will form. Due to that a kink or twist in the bowel will be experienced which will result to bowel obstruction.

There are numerous factors that can increase the risk of developing ventral hernia. One may have one or more of these factors at the same time which may not lead to ventral hernia. Some of those factors are:

• Abdominal surgeries, chronic cough, family history of hernias are the major risk factors for ventral hernia.
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Overexertion
• Enlargement of the prostate or other conditions that can lead to straining to urinate.
• Lifting or pushing heavy objects
• Chronic constipation
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Pregnancy is also a factor of risk for ventral hernia.

Trying to prevent your body from having a ventral hernia can be done by following few basic measures which include:

• Avoiding overexertion can reduce the risk of ventral hernia.
• Completely avoiding lifting or pushing heavy objects will help in reducing the risk for ventral hernia.
• Eating a healthy diet.
• Quitting smoking.
• Avoiding straining to urinate.
• Maintaining a healthy weight.
• Following recovery instructions and physical restrictions after surgery will help in reducing the risk of ventral hernia.
• Managing constipation and avoiding straining to have a bowel movement.

Also Read:

• Ventral Hernia: Causes, Symptoms, Signs, Complications, Diagnosis
• Home Remedies for Ventral Hernia & its Recovery Period, Diet and Prevention