Large or complex abdominal wall defects are a particularly challenging surgical problem. Abdominal wall reconstruction surgery is an advanced surgical procedure that strengthens a weakened or damaged abdominal muscle and restores the normal function of the abdominal wall. It is a procedure recommended for patients with advanced hernias and requires specialized surgical expertise.

Hernias are bulges in the belly where intestines and abdominal fat come out under the skin through a defect or hole or weak spot in the abdomen. The defect may be in a scar from a previous operation or a naturally present gap in the abdomen. Hence, the common sites for hernias are the groin, navel, abdomen, or a previous operation site. A hernia is becoming a very prevalent disease these days and people are availing hernia surgery to address them effectively.

Patients who have complex hernias, the return of previously repaired hernias, or patients who have suffered trauma to the abdomen. Many patients have large hernias that result in deformity of the abdomen.

A complex hernia often occurs at the site of an earlier hernia repair and the hernia has returned. With repeated attempts at the repair of hernias, the surrounding tissue can become weak or stretched and it may need to be augmented or replaced. Large hernias of the abdominal wall can result in deformity of the abdominal wall requiring a complex hernia repair. The presence of a fistula makes the repair even more complicated.

Inguinal hernia:

An inguinal hernia occurs when a small portion of the bowel bulges out through the inguinal canal into the groin. It mostly occurs in men.

Causes:

Some inguinal hernias have no proven cause. Others might occur due to:

• Increased pressure within the abdomen.
• A weak spot in the abdominal wall from before.
• Strain during bowel movements or urination.
• Strenuous activity.
• Chronic coughing or sneezing.

Symptoms:

Several symptoms will let you know that you have an inguinal hernia:

• A bulge may appear on either side or both sides of your pubic bone.
• An aching or burning sensation in the area of the bulge.
• Pain or discomfort in your groin which you will mostly feel when bending over, coughing, or lifting.
• A dragging and heavy sensation in your groin.
• Weakness or pressure in your groin.

Femoral hernia:

It mostly occurs in women. A femoral hernia occurs when a portion of tissue pushes through the wall of the femoral canal.

Causes:

• Childbirth.
• Chronic constipation.
• Heavy lifting.
• Being overweight.
• Difficulty in urination due to an enlarged prostate.
• Pregnancy.
• Chronic coughing.

Symptoms:

• Severe stomach pain.
• Sudden groin pain.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.

Umbilical hernia:

Most common in infants, an Umbilical hernia occurs when part of the intestine sticks out through the opening in the abdominal muscles through which the umbilical cord passed before a child is born.

Causes:

• Obesity.
• Multiple pregnancies.
• Fluid in the abdominal cavity.
• Previous abdominal surgery.
• Long-term dialysis treatment to treat kidney failure.

Symptoms:

• For babies: The bulge may be visible only when they cry, cough, or strain.
• For adults: It may cause abdominal discomfort.

Incisional hernia:

It develops after abdominal surgery at the same place where the incision has been done.

Causes:

• Putting too much pressure on your abdomen.
• Becoming pregnant before the cut fully heals.
• Doing physical activities too soon after surgery.
• For some reason, when a surgical cut doesn’t properly heal.

Symptoms:

• Nausea and vomiting.
• Fever.
• Burning or aching near the hernia.
• Abdominal pain and discomfort, particularly around the hernia.
• Faster heartbeat than usual.
• Constipation.
• Diarrhea.
• Thin, narrow stool.

Hiatal hernia:

When the upper part of your stomach bulges through the large muscle separating your abdomen and chest it is known as a hiatal hernia.

Causes:

• Age-related changes in your diaphragm.
• Injury to the area after certain types of surgery.
• Being born with an unusually large hiatus.
• Continuous and intense pressure on the surrounding muscles.

Symptoms:

• Heartburn.
• Regurgitation means it brings back swallowed food or liquids into the mouth.
• Backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus is also known as acid reflux.
• Difficulty swallowing.
• Chest or abdominal pain.
• Shortness of breath.
• Vomiting of blood or passing of black stools indicating gastrointestinal bleeding.

In recent years, laparoscopic hrnia suregery has replaced traditional surgery in the treatment of hernias even in Bangalore. The very concerns of the patients such as scars, wound infection, pain, and failure, seen more commonly in traditional hernia surgery are minimized by this procedure. Since laparoscopic hernia surgery in Bangalore is done by making small incisions in the abdomen instead of making one large incision, it makes the procedure less painful, scarless, and bloodless. It also allows the patient to go back home in a few days and resume normal activities.

This is unprecedented in conventional surgery where the patients in Bangalore are hospitalized for several days with a restriction of normal activities for a longer period. Sufficient to say that there is no single procedure that would work in all cases. There are open and laparoscopic procedures that are mostly done which generally have the aim of closing the defect without tension and then reinforcing it with an appropriate mesh.

Dr. Bhushan Chittawadgi is a consultant and an Advanced Laparoscopic, Gastro, and GI Cancer Surgeon practicing at Hosmat Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka. He has more than 18 years of experience in the field of Laparoscopic GI & HPB Surgery making him one of the best laparoscopic surgeons in Bengaluru, Karnataka. He is specialized in Laparoscopic hernia surgery, Gall bladder stone, Obesity, liver and pancreas diseases, GI surgery, Piles, and Breast & Thyroid diseases.

If you are looking for the best laparoscopic hernia surgeon call us at +91 89407 70990 or book an online appointment here.