Incisional hernia

An  incisional hernia occurs over the scar of a previous operation, which may have been performed months or even years before. The reasons for developing an incisional hernia are:

• Postoperative infection after the initial procedure
• Extended incision or multiple incisions
• Poor healing or bad surgical technique in suturing, during the initial procedure
• Clinically severe obesity
• Diabetes
• Immunosuppression / systemic use of corticosteroids
• Excessive coughing

Incisional hernia presents as a “bulb” underneath the skin, at the spot of the previous incision. If the hernia cannot be reduced or if it is painful and the patient presents nausea, vomiting and fever, strangulation of the hernia may arise, and immediate surgical repair is needed to avoid bowel necrosis.

In elective cases, the laparoscopic approach is the optimal method of treatment in hernias smaller than 15 cm in diameter.