What is ventral hernia repair?
Ventral hernia repair is a procedure to repair a ventral hernia. A ventral hernia is a sac (pouch) formed from the inner lining of your belly (abdomen) that pushes through a hole in the abdominal wall. Ventral hernias often occur at the site of an old surgical cut (incision).
How successful is ventral hernia repair?
The rate of ventral incisional hernia in the long term after laparotomy has been reported to be as high as 20% to 25%. Multiple studies have suggested that laparoscopic repair of ventral hernias carries a lower recurrence rate and shorter hospital stay with quicker recovery.
Is ventral hernia repair painful?
Researchers found that though patients tend to expect to return to normal activities swiftly after laparoscopic ventral hernia repair, many of those studied were still experiencing pain and fatigue several days later.
How long does it take to recover from ventral hernia repair?
After recovery, you can usually return to work or school within 2 to 3 days. You will not be able to lift anything over 10 pounds, climb, or do strenuous activity for 4 to 6 weeks following surgical repair of a ventral hernia.
Can you repair a ventral hernia without mesh?
The answer to that question is, “Yes, almost ALL hernias can be repaired WITHOUT mesh”. In fact non mesh repair was the norm prior to the introduction and popularization of mesh in the 1960s. However, the fine art of non mesh repair has been lost to newer generations of surgeons.
Should I wear compression shorts after hernia surgery?
Male patients will be advised to wear compression shorts or tight fitting boxer briefs for a few days following the repair of their inguinal hernia to help reduce the amount of swelling after surgery. There are no special brands recommended or required, as long as they are tighter fitting.
What can you eat after ventral hernia surgery?
You can eat your normal diet. If your stomach is upset, try bland, low-fat foods like plain rice, broiled chicken, toast, and yogurt. Drink plenty of fluids (unless your doctor tells you not to). You may notice that your bowel movements are not regular right after your surgery.
Should I have my ventral hernia repair?
Ventral hernias do not go away or get better on their own and require surgery to repair. In fact, without treatment, ventral hernias can get larger and worsen with time. Untreated hernias can become difficult to repair and can lead to serious complications, such as strangulation of a portion of the intestine.
Do ventral hernias have to be repaired?
Ventral hernias cannot heal on their own. Most commonly, ventral hernias are surgically repaired in order to avoid the risk of the intestine becoming strangulated (cut off from the body’s blood supply). Strangulation is considered a medical emergency.