Incisional hernia repair (laparoscopic)

Besides a visible bulge, incisional hernias might also cause fever, vomiting or other symptoms, in which case you may need incisional hernia repair surgery.

part of the female body with a pronounced umbilical hernia

Any operation on your abdomen needs a cut that is closed with stitches.

Sometimes your wound does not heal properly, and a weakness happens in the muscle layer.

This results in the contents of your abdomen, along with the inner layer, pushing through your abdominal muscles.

This produces a lump under your skin called a hernia.

The operation is performed under a general anaesthetic. The operation usually takes 1 to 2 hours.

Your surgeon will make a small cut on or near your umbilicus (belly button) so they can insert an instrument in your abdominal cavity to inflate it with gas (carbon dioxide).

They will make several small cuts on your abdomen, so they can insert tubes (ports) into your abdomen.

Your surgeon will insert surgical instruments through the ports along with a telescope, so they can see inside your abdomen and perform the operation.

Your surgeon will free up the structures from your abdomen that are stuck in the hernia, and insert a synthetic mesh to cover the weak spot.

You should no longer have the hernia.

Surgery should prevent serious complications and allow you to return to normal activities.

Are there any alternatives to laparoscopic incisional hernia surgery?

You can sometimes control the hernia with supportive clothing or simply leave it alone.

It will not get better without surgery.

Like all surgical procedures, there are some complications that can be serious and can even cause death.

Please bear in mind the general and specific complications regarding this type of operation.

General complications of any operation

Pain
Bleeding
Unsightly scarring of your skin
Infection of the surgical site (wound)
Blood clot in your leg
Blood clot in your lung

Specific complications of this operation (keyhole surgery complications)

Damage to structures such as your bowel, bladder or blood vessels
Developing a hernia
Injury to your bowel
Surgical emphysema

Hernia repair complications

Developing a collection of blood (haematoma) or fluid (seroma) under your wound
Difficulty passing urine
Injury to structures that come from your abdomen and are within the hernia

You should be able to go home after 1 to 2 days.

Increasing how much you walk around over the first few days. You may need to take painkillers to help you.

Your doctor will tell you when you can return to work.

Do not lift anything heavy for at least 6 weeks.

With regular exercise, you should help you to return to normal activities as soon as possible. Before you start exercising, ask the healthcare team or your GP for advice.

Most people make a full recovery and can return to normal activities. However, the hernia can come back.

An incisional hernia is a weakness in your abdominal wall, which happens when previous wounds do not heal properly.

If left untreated, an incisional hernia can cause serious complications.

Book your appointment online, or find out more calling us on 0808 101 0337.

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