What is Incisional hernia?
Incisional hernia repair is a surgical procedure performed to correct an Incisional hernia. An Incisional hernia, also called a ventral hernia, is a bulge or protrusion that occurs near or directly along a prior abdominal surgical incision. The surgical repair procedure is also known as Incisional or ventral herniorrhaphy. Incisional hernia repair is performed to correct a weakened area that has developed in the scarred muscle tissue around a prior abdominal surgical incision, occurring as a result of tension (pulling in opposite directions) created when the incision was closed with sutures, or by any other condition that increases abdominal pressure or interferes with proper healing.
Procedure of Incisional hernia Surgery:
In both open and laparoscopic procedures, the patient lies on the operating table, either flat on the back or on the side, depending on the location of the hernia. General anesthesia is usually given, though some patients may have local or regional anesthesia, depending on the location of the hernia and complexity of the repair. A catheter may be inserted into the bladder to remove urine and decompress the bladder. If the hernia is near the stomach, a gastric (nose or mouth to stomach) tube may be inserted to decompress the stomach.
In an open procedure, an incision is made just large enough to remove fat and scar tissue from the abdominal wall near the hernia. The outside edges of the weakened hernia area are defined and excess tissue removed from within the area. Mesh is then applied so that it overlaps the weakened area by several inches (centimeters) in all directions. Non-absorbable sutures (the kind that must be removed by the doctor) are placed into the full thickness of the abdominal wall. The sutures are tied down and knotted.
In the less-invasive laparoscopic procedure, two or three small incisions will be made to access the hernia site—the laparoscope is inserted in one incision and surgical instruments in the others to remove tissue and place the mesh in the same fashion as in an open procedure. Significantly less abdominal wall tissue is removed in laparoscopic repair. The surgeon views the entire procedure on a video monitor to guide the placement and suturing of mesh.
Aftercare of Incisional Hernia Surgery:
Immediately after surgery, the patient will be observed in a recovery area for several hours, for monitoring of body temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and heart function, as well as observation of the surgical wound for undue bleeding or swelling. Patients will usually be discharged on the day of the surgery; only more complex hernias such as those with incarcerated or strangulated intestines will require overnight hospitalization. Some patients may have prolonged suture-site pain, which may be treated with pain medication or anti-inflammatory drugs. Antibiotics may be prescribed to help prevent postoperative infection.
Once the patient is home, the hernia repair site must be kept clean, and any sign of swelling or redness reported to the surgeon. Patients should also report a fever or any abdominal pain. Outer sutures may have to be removed by the surgeon in a follow-up visit about a week after surgery. Activities may be limited to non-strenuous movement for up to two weeks, depending on the type of surgery performed. To allow proper healing of muscle tissue, hernia repair patients should avoid heavy lifting for at least six to eight weeks after surgery, or longer as advised.
Successful repair can be expected in the majority of cases. Recurrence rates range from 25-50% following an initial primary repair. The risk of recurrence increases dramatically in patients who have had previous failed repairs, in patients with very large hernias, obese patients, and in cases where one or more margins of the hernia defect is bone or cartilage. The use of a mesh support during open surgical repair has been shown to decrease recurrence rates to 5-35%. The early experience with laparoscopic repairs employing mesh has been favorable with recurrence rates as low as 1-10%. However, it must be emphasized that these studies reflect very short term (less than 3 years) follow-up periods. Furthermore, there is not yet any strong evidence based literature that directly compares laparoscopic to open approaches for this problem.
After surgery, patients are instructed to limit activity for varying lengths of time, according to surgeon preference. Limitations on lifting and straining are generally recommended for several weeks after surgery. Limitations on activity after the laparoscopic approach are generally of shorter duration than following traditional open repairs.
Why go to India for Incisional Hernia Surgery?
Over the years, India has become a global center of excellence in Hernia surgery including the Incisional Hernia surgery. India has achieved global recognition as a pioneer in innovative Incisional Hernia surgery techniques to help patients who are often termed inoperable. These innovations have saved hundreds of lives across the globe. Besides the Best Hernia Surgery Hospitals available in India what attracts thousands of patients is the wide variety of tourist options available that they can visit during their recuperation from the surgery.
India has a rich and unique cultural heritage, and has actively preserved its established traditions throughout history. The Taj Mahal in Agra is India’s most popular tourist destination. You can visit all these places and just pay a quarter of the amount of what you would pay for the getting the surgery in USA.
To know more about Hospitals in India and the Incisional Hernia Surgery packages available in Hospitals,
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