What Are Incisional Hernias?

A hernia is an umbrella term that comprises of any protrusion of an organ through a weak spot in the tissue or muscle intended to keep it in its place. This malfunction creates a noticeable bulge in the affected area. Hernias may occur in an individual's belly button, upper thigh, or groin. The tissue or muscle that surrounds an organ to hold it in place is called fascia. When tissue protrudes from any site of a surgical scar in the healing process, it is called an incisional hernia. Incisional hernias are considered a ventral hernia since they most commonly occur in the front of an individual's abdomen following a surgical procedure. Individuals who undergo surgery are most at risk of developing an incisional hernia between three and six months post procedure, while the incision and surrounding tissues are healing. Incisional hernias do not heal on their own and require medical treatment.

Symptoms Of Incisional Hernias

There are a few specific symptoms of incisional hernias that occur in affected individuals. At first, an incisional hernia may start off looking like a small bulge near a healed incision from a recent surgical procedure. The protrusion from the surgical site may include a sensation of aching or burning and may be reddish in color. An incisional hernia is known to produce pain when the affected individual is moving cumbersome or heavy objects, and when they are straining muscles in the affected region. An incisional hernia may cause scar tissue to obstruct a patient's intestines, resulting in constipation. Scar tissue can also result in an infection due to an incisional hernia, which can cause the patient to experience nausea and vomiting. An affected individual who has developed an infection because of this type of hernia may also have a fever and elevated heart rate. An individual who has an incisional hernia may also experience thin, narrow stool or diarrhea as a manifestation of their condition.

Read about the causes of incisional hernias next.