Incisional hernia repair and how to recognise the symptoms

An incisional hernia occurs in the scar following a previous operation.

Incisional hernia occur for a number of reasons: The wound may have become infected after surgery, the stitches may have failed, or the repair may have gradually weakened over time.

Incisional hernias often become quite large and uncomfortable. Because of their site and position (often in midline) they are almost always repaired under general anaesthetic.

The repair can be by a keyhole laparoscopic operation or by an open mesh repair. It will depend upon the position, size and reducibility (how easily it goes back in) as to which operation is possible.

Excellent results are possible, even in very large and difficult hernias. This kind of hernia will almost always need a General Anaesthetic and a specialist surgeon with expertise in this area.

All patients with this problem are handed to my colleague Mr Giles Bond-Smith.

Mr Giles Bond-Smith

Giles is a Consultant General and Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeon at the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. He has a specialist interest in complex abdominal wall reconstruction and incisional hernia repair, performing both open and laparoscopic procedures. He works closely with Mr Greg Sadler in managing advanced and recurrent hernia cases.