The Management Options Of Ventral Hernias Houston Residents Need To Be Aware Of

By Michael Davis


It is estimated that at least 90,000 operations are needed every year in the United States to correct ventral hernias. The types of these defects that exist include umbilical, epigastric, incisional and inguinal hernias. All of them are located in various places on the anterior wall of the abdomen and hence their collective name. If they plan on undergoing surgical correction for ventral hernias Houston patients should know a number of things.

Any of these problems can be seen at any age as long as the predisposing factors are present. A significant proportion are present from birth and indicate the presence of a congenital defect in the area that is affected. A few of the inguinal hernias seen at this age may vanish as the child grows especially if the defect is very small. For most of the others, however, surgery is required.

Intestinal loops tend to protrude through many of these ventral defects. On most occasions, the loops can be returned into the abdominal cavity by applying gentle pressure over the swelling using a finger. At times, they become obstructed and returning them to their position becomes difficult. This is a medical emergency that requires surgery. If the surgery is delayed, the obstructed loops may lose viability and may have to be cut off.

The signs and symptoms of hernias are similar regardless of the region that is involved. Swelling is one of the most obvious symptoms. The swelling is intermittent and is most likely to increase in prominence if there is an increase in intra-abdominal pressure such as when bearing down or during a cough. Pain is often present but may not be experienced if the defect is large enough to allow free movement of the intestinal loops.

Apart from taking your medical history, the doctor will also conduct a physical examination that is aimed at evaluating the problem further. Areas of interest will include the size, the location and the reducibility of the defect among others. Some investigations may be requested for in select cases. Such will include ultrasound scans and CT scan images. If a decision to have surgery is made, some blood tests will be done as well.

The treatment chosen will depend on the findings after the history, physical examination and the imaging studies. Small defects that are not causing any discomfort may be managed conservatively through watchful waiting except in cases where the patient requests for surgery. There are two main techniques that are employed during surgery. These include the open technique and the laparoscopic technique.

The open technique involves the creation of a surgical cut (incision) near the site of the defect. The next step is to insert a mesh or to repair the weakened area using sutures so that the contents can no longer move through the defect. The laparoscopic option involves the creation of three small incisions near the defect and the insertion of instruments that are then used to place sutures or a mesh.

It is important to note that there is no drug that can seal the defect in the anterior abdominal wall. If one wants to deal with this problem then surgery is a necessity. The operation itself is usually fairly simple and free of complications except in rare circumstances. Complications that may be encountered may include excessive blood loss, injury to structures such as the balder and intestines and infections.




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