Hernias are swellings or bulges on the skin usually due to the pressure of underlying structures being pushed through an area of weakness in the abdominal muscles. Ventral hernias are those that are located in the anterior abdominal wall. They include incisional, epigastric, umbilical and inguinal hernias. If they have been diagnosed with ventral hernias Houston residents need to know a number of things even as they consider undergoing treatment.
The onset of these defects can be at any time. A significant number are seen at birth due to a congenital anatomical defect. Those that fall in this category are usually corrected during childhood. Some tend to resolve without treatment as the child continues to grow. Some follow conditions that weaken the abdominal muscles such as pregnancy and surgeries. Increase physical activity such as heavy lifting aggravates the problem.
Most, if not all ventral hernias, provide a route for intestines to protrude from their natural position. This poses a great danger due to the likelihood of the intestinal loops to be trapped into the hernia sac. This may lead to intestinal obstruction that requires surgery to be corrected. In some cases where the obstruction is severe, blood supply to the intestinal loops may be cut off causing them to lose viability.
The most obvious sign of these defects is a visible swelling in an area of the abdominal wall. This swelling is most prominent when there is an increase in abdominal pressure such as when one bears down or coughs. Pain is also a possible symptom but is not always present especially if there is a large defect. Other symptoms may include vomiting (when intestinal obstruction sets in) and constipation.
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.
There are a number of approaches to treatment that exist. Watchful waiting is adopted for patients who have small, reducible hernias that have no associated symptoms and have a low risk of becoming obstructed. Surgery may be carried out, however, if the patient requests. Two main types of surgery exist: the open technique and the laparoscopic technique. Each is associated with various advantages and disadvantages.
The open technique is where a surgical incision is made near the hernia pouch to gain access to the defect. Once it is opened, a mesh is fitted near the defect to block the defect. An alternative is to close the defect using permanent sutures. In the laparoscopic technique, an instrument known as a laparoscope is inserted into the abdominal cavity using three ports. The defect is accessed from the inside and repaired through suturing or meshing.
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.
The onset of these defects can be at any time. A significant number are seen at birth due to a congenital anatomical defect. Those that fall in this category are usually corrected during childhood. Some tend to resolve without treatment as the child continues to grow. Some follow conditions that weaken the abdominal muscles such as pregnancy and surgeries. Increase physical activity such as heavy lifting aggravates the problem.
Most, if not all ventral hernias, provide a route for intestines to protrude from their natural position. This poses a great danger due to the likelihood of the intestinal loops to be trapped into the hernia sac. This may lead to intestinal obstruction that requires surgery to be corrected. In some cases where the obstruction is severe, blood supply to the intestinal loops may be cut off causing them to lose viability.
The most obvious sign of these defects is a visible swelling in an area of the abdominal wall. This swelling is most prominent when there is an increase in abdominal pressure such as when one bears down or coughs. Pain is also a possible symptom but is not always present especially if there is a large defect. Other symptoms may include vomiting (when intestinal obstruction sets in) and constipation.
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.
There are a number of approaches to treatment that exist. Watchful waiting is adopted for patients who have small, reducible hernias that have no associated symptoms and have a low risk of becoming obstructed. Surgery may be carried out, however, if the patient requests. Two main types of surgery exist: the open technique and the laparoscopic technique. Each is associated with various advantages and disadvantages.
The open technique is where a surgical incision is made near the hernia pouch to gain access to the defect. Once it is opened, a mesh is fitted near the defect to block the defect. An alternative is to close the defect using permanent sutures. In the laparoscopic technique, an instrument known as a laparoscope is inserted into the abdominal cavity using three ports. The defect is accessed from the inside and repaired through suturing or meshing.
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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