Ventral Hernia

A hernia arises when a spot in the muscles of the abdominal wall allows a segment of the intestine or abdominal tissue to protrude .

A ventral hernia is identified as a hernia that arises anywhere throughout the vertical centre of the abdominal wall. It can be categorised into:

1.  Umbilical hernia: Arises in the navel area
2.  Epigastric hernia: It can appear underneath the breastbone and the navel. This sort of hernia can affect either men or women.
3.  Incisional hernia: It arises in a previously operated area even after months or years of having abdominal surgery.

The causes for ventral hernia might vary on the basis of its site, your medical background, and your health. However, certain individuals born with a birth defect in which their abdominal wall is extremely thin are at higher risk of developing a ventral hernia. 

Some factors that might lead to the development of ventral hernia are:

1. Prior abdominal surgery
2. Family history of hernia
3.  Chronic coughing, severe or chronic vomiting
4. Diabetes
5. Heavy lifting
6.  Injury to the bowel area
7. Obesity
8. Pregnancy
9. Prostatism- enlargement of the prostate gland
10. Lung diseases

Various signs indicate a ventral hernia. Although it might take a while to arise. A few commonly observed signs are:

1.  Little uneasiness in your abdominal area
2. Abdominal pain
3. Visible bulging of skin or tissues in your abdominal area
4.  Nausea
5.  Vomiting
6. Pain while standing or sitting too long

Your medical history and other health parameters will be reviewed by your physician. The doctor will find indications for the disease by conducting abdominal tests like:

1. Physical examination: It aids in finding any noticeable bulge.
2. Ultrasound, CT scan, MRI scan: These imaging tests aid in identifying blockage as well as the exact location of the disease.
3.  Blood tests: To check any infection led by intestinal blockage or necrosis.

Treatment 

1. You need to get your hernia treated as early as possible as untreated hernia leads to severe complications and might get difficult to cure in later stages. For curing ventral hernia permanently, the only option for treatment is surgery.
2.  Your doctor will advise you a procedure based upon:
3. Your age
4.  Size of hernia
5. Your present medical condition
6. Your medical history
7.  Presence of infection
8.  Size and contour of the abdominal wall
9. The following are the methods of surgery:
10. Mesh placement surgery: 
11. To hold the tissue in place, the surgeon pulls it firmly into alignment and further sews in a mesh that acts as a supporting patch.
12.  It is a safe, reliable procedure.
13.  It reduces the risk of recurrence

Laparoscopic:

1.  In this procedure, the surgeon utilises a camera inserted via multiple tiny openings to fix the hernia.
2. Since the size of the cut is small, there are fewer chances of infection.
3.  It is generally an outpatient procedure, i.e., you might get discharged the same day. 

Open surgery:

1.  In this, the surgeon creates an incision next to your hernia, then pulls the tissues firmly into alignment and sews the wound up.
2.  You might feel pain after the procedure
3.  You might not get discharged on the same day.

Robotic hernia repair:

1.  The procedure is similar to laparoscopic; the only difference is in this procedure, the surgeon operates and handles the instruments via console. 
2.  It is used for small hernia and weaker areas.
3.  It can reconstruct the abdominal wall.

How to prepare for Consultation

1. Before going to the doctor, you must pen down a few aspects you should talk about:
2.  Ask your doctor about any changes in your diet and lifestyle.
3.  Ask your doctor about the recovery period.
4. Ask your doctor about any possible side effects.
5.  Ask your doctor about the severity of the disease.
6.  Ask your doctor about the risks and complications of the disease.
7.  Discuss the procedure that is best for you.
8. Discuss your medical history in detail.
9. Your doctor might ask you about your family history with a hernia.
10. Your doctor might ask you to get any of the diagnostic tests for identification.

The surgery often restores the tone and shape of the abdominal wall by repairing the hole and bringing the muscles back to their normal position.

Risk if not treated in time

1. Hernia cannot be healed permanently on its own, and in case your hernia got away by itself, it may reoccur again. Moreover, an untreated hernia can worsen with time; as the size of the hernia increases, the risks and complications associated with the disease increase. 
2. Incarceration: Your intestine remains stuck in a weak abdominal wall and is unable to be pulled back into your abdominal cavity. This could clog your intestine or stop off all its blood circulation.
3. Strangulation: Once the intestine gets clogged and the intestine begins to decay. In such cases, immediate surgery is essential.
4. Bowel obstruction
5. Necrosis
6. Nerve damage
7. Shock