Ventral Hernia Repair
The Condition
A ventral hernia is a bulge through an opening in the muscles on the abdomen. If the hernia reduces in size when a person is lying flat or in response to manual pressure, it is reducible. If it cannot
be reduced, it is irreducible or incarcerated, and a portion of the intestine may be bulging through the hernia sac. A hernia is strangulated if the intestine is trapped in the hernia pouch and the blood supply to the intestine is decreased. This is a surgical emergency.
A primary abdominal hernia occurs spontaneously at an area of natural weakness of the abdominal muscle.
An incisional hernia bulges through a past incision site. This issue can be the result of scar tissue or weak muscles around the site.
An epigastric hernia bulges midline above the umbilicus.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of a hernia are:
- Visible bulge in the abdominal wall, especially with coughing or straining
- Hernia site pain or pressure
Sharp abdominal pain and vomiting may mean that the intestine has slipped through the hernia sac and is strangulated. This is a surgical emergency and immediate treatment is needed.
Surgical Treatment
The type of operation depends on the hernia size, location, and if it is a repeat hernia. Your health, age, anesthesia risk, and the surgeon’s expertise are also important. An operation is the only treatment for a hernia repair.
Open Hernia Repair
The surgeon makes an incision near the hernia site. The bulging tissue is gently pushed back into the abdomen. Sutures, mesh, or a tissue flap is used to close the muscle. With complex or large hernias, small drains may be placed going from inside to the outside of the abdomen. The site is closed using sutures, staples, or surgical glue.
Open Mesh Repair
The hernia sac is removed. Mesh is placed over the hernia site. The mesh is attached using sutures sewn into the stronger tissue surrounding the hernia site. Mesh is often used for large hernia repairs and may reduce the risk that the hernia will come back. The site is closed using sutures, staples, or surgical glue.
Laparoscopic Hernia Repair
The surgeon will make several small punctures or incisions in the abdomen. Ports or trocars (hollow tubes) are inserted into the openings. Surgical tools are placed into the ports. The abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide gas to make it easier for the surgeon to see the hernia. Mesh is sutured, stapled, or clipped to the muscle around the hernia site. The hernia site can also be sewn directly together.
What You Can Expect
Home Medication
Bring a list of all of the medications, vitamins, and any over-the-counter medicines that you are taking. Your medications may have to be adjusted before your operation. Some medications can affect your recovery and response to anesthesia. Most often you will take your morning medication with a sip of water.
Anesthesia
Let your anesthesia provider know if you have allergies, neurologic disease (epilepsy, stroke), heart disease, stomach problems, lung disease (asthma, emphysema), endocrine disease (diabetes, thyroid conditions), or loose teeth; use alcohol or drugs; take any herbs or vitamins; or if you have a history of nausea and vomiting with anesthesia.
If you smoke, you should let your surgical team know, and you should plan to quit. Quitting before your surgery can decrease your rate of respiratory and wound complications and increase your chances of staying smoke-free for life.
The Day of Your Operation
- You should not eat or drink for at least 6 hours before the operation.
- You should bathe or shower and clean your abdomen with a mild antibacterial soap.
- You should brush your teeth and rinse your mouth with mouthwash.
- Do not shave the surgical site; the surgical team will clip the hair near the incision site.
- Let the surgical team know if you are not feeling well or if there have been any changes in your health since last seeing your surgeon.
What to Bring
- Insurance card and identification
- List of medicines
- Loose-fitting, comfortable clothes
- Slip-on shoes that don’t require that you bend over
After Your Operation
Preventing Pneumonia and Blood Clots
Movement and deep breathing after your operation can help prevent postoperative complications such as blood clots, fluid in your lungs, and pneumonia. Every hour, take 5 to 10 deep breaths and hold each breath for 3 to 5 seconds.
When you have an operation, you are at risk of getting blood clots because of not moving during anesthesia. The longer and more complicated your surgery, the greater the risk. This risk is decreased by getting up and walking 5 to 6 times per day, wearing special support stockings or compression boots on your legs, and for high-risk patients, taking a medication that thins your blood
Your Recovery and Discharge
Thinking Clearly
If general anesthesia is given or if you need to take narcotics for pain, it may cause you to feel different for 2 or 3 days, have difficulty with memory, or feel more fatigued. You should not drive, drink alcohol, or make any big decisions for at least 2 days.
Nutrition
- When you wake up from the anesthesia, you will be able to drink small amounts of liquid. If you do not feel sick, you can begin eating regular foods.
- Continue to drink about 8 to 10 glasses of water each day.
- Eat a high-fiber diet so you don’t strain while having a bowel movement.
Activity
- Slowly increase your activity. Be sure to get up and walk every hour or so to prevent blood clot formation.
- You may go home the same day for a simple repair. If you have other health conditions or complications such as nausea, vomiting, bleeding, or infection after surgery, you may stay longer.
- Do not lift items heavier than 10 pounds or participate in strenuous activity for at least 6 weeks.
Work
- After recovery, you can usually return to work within 2 to 3 days.
- You will not be able to lift anything over 10 pounds, climb, or do strenuous activity for 4 to 6 weeks following surgical repair of a ventral hernia.
- Lifting limitation may last for 6 months for complex or recurrent repairs
Wound Care
- Always wash your hands before and after touching near your incision site.
- Do not soak in a bathtub until your stitches, Steri-Strips, or staples are removed.
You may take a shower after the second postoperative day unless you are told not to. - Follow your surgeon’s instructions on when to change your bandages.
- A small amount of drainage from the incision is normal. If the dressing is soaked with blood, call your surgeon.
- If you have Steri-Strips in place, they will fall off in 7 to 10 days.
- If you have a glue-like covering over the incision, let the glue to flake off on its own.
- Avoid wearing tight or rough clothing. It may rub your incisions and make it harder for them to heal.
- Protect the new skin, especially from the sun. The sun can burn and cause darker scarring.
- Your scar will heal in about 4 to 6 weeks and will become softer and continue to fade over the next year.
Pain
The amount of pain is different for each person. The new medicine you will need after your operation is for pain control, and your doctor will advise how much you should take. You can use throat lozenges if you have sore throat pain from the tube placed in your throat during your anesthesia.
Bowel Movements
Avoid straining with bowel movements by increasing the fiber in your diet with high- fiber foods or over-the-counter medicines. Be sure you are drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water each day.
When to Contact Your Surgeon
Contact your surgeon if you have:
- Pain that will not go away
- Pain that gets worse
- A fever of more than 101°F (38.3°C)
- Repeated vomiting
- Swelling, redness, bleeding, or foul- smelling drainage from your wound site
- Strong or continuous abdominal pain or swelling of your abdomen
- No bowel movement by 3 days after the operation
*We provide procedure education for prospective patients and those who educate them. It is not intended to take the place of a discussion with a qualified surgeon who is familiar with your situation. The American College of Surgeons (ACS) makes every effort to provide information that is accurate and timely, but makes no guarantee in this regard.