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A ventral hernia occurs when abdominal tissues protrude through a weak 'hole' in the abdominal wall muscle. Hernias can occur anywhere on the abdominal wall, and the risk factors include obesity, injuries, previous hernia, abdominal surgeries, pregnancy or lifting heavy objects. It can be treated with ventral hernia treatment in Bangalore such as open, laparoscopic and robotic hernia repair.
How are ventral hernias caused?
The occurrence of ventral hernias can depend on a number of factors such as medical history, location and personal anatomy. The hernia often occurs at a weak spot on the abdominal wall through which the intestines start to protrude. When the weak section of the abdominal wall is stressed by factors that build up internal pressure, it could open and let the intestines protrude out under the skin. The risk of developing ventral hernia includes,
Being overweight
Intense coughing episodes
Severe vomiting
Pregnancy
Occupations involving heavy pushing or lifting
Lung disease that strains the abdominal wall
Injuries that weaken the abdominal wall
Symptoms
Many people during the early stages don't often feel the symptoms. However, here are some common signs,
Visible bulge under the skin in the abdomen that is tender to touch
Bulge may flatten when lying down
Pain in the region when exerting effort, standing for long periods of time or during bowel movement
Severe pain in the abdomen caused by the intestine trapped in the muscle (medical emergency)
Surgical repair of ventral hernia
Ventral hernias can only be fixed through a surgical procedure as they cannot heal by themselves. The goal of the surgery is to repair the defect in the abdominal wall and restore the muscle definition by bringing it back to position. Surgeries can be performed in 3 different ways,
Open hernia repair: An open surgery where a long incision is made in the abdomen to reach the herniated tissue and push it back into place. Typically a mesh is placed to stop a reoccurrence.
Laparoscopic hernia repair: In this procedure, several small incisions are made around the region of the hernia to gain access to the abdominal cavity and abdominal wall muscles. The hernia is closed, and a mesh might be inserted to strengthen the region.
Robotic hernia repair: A robotic hernia repair is similar to the laparoscopic procedure, but it is performed by a robot controlled by the surgeon in another room.
Long term outlook
Surgical interventions for hernias often have positive results. You will be able to get up and move around after the surgery, and your doctor will tell you how much activity the repair can tolerate. In the long run, you can perform exercises to strengthen the abdominal muscles under the supervision of a specialist and avoid factors that trigger a hernia again. Consult with the doctors at Manipal Hospitals now.
