How are incisional hernias treated?
After abdominal surgery, an incisional hernia can form near or a surgical scar. Although it doesn’t usually cause any serious problems, it can be unpleasant. The treatment options for incisional hernias are open surgery or minimally invasive surgery. Minimally invasive surgery is also called “keyhole surgery,” or “laparoscopic” surgery if it is performed on the abdomen.
Incisional hernias may occur months or years after an abdominal operation. You can usually only see a small lump or swelling near the site of the scar at first. The lump appears when you cough or strain, and then goes away again. Over time, though, it might get bigger and start hurting.
Most incisional hernias don’t cause any serious problems. In rare cases, parts of the bowel might get trapped in the opening of the abdominal wall, blocking the passage of stool (obstruction) or cutting off the blood supply (strangulation). Large incisional hernias can also make it difficult for you to breathe or move normally.