Incisional Hernias

Incisional Hernias - Surgery

Incisional hernias need to be surgically corrected to prevent complications such as strangulation.

Incisional Hernias should be repaired surgically at a convenient time after they are discovered. Unfortunately, there is no other treatment other than surgery that has significant success.

Surgical Options are:

► Open Surgical Repair

► Laparoscopic Surgical Repair

In most cases, the open approach is the best and safest way to repair an incisional hernia. However, there are situations in which patients may benefit from the laparoscopic approach. Incisional hernias is not like inguinal hernias where advantages are present for most patients with the laparoscopic approach.

At present many surgeons do prefer to repair the hernia using the laparoscope. However this will depend on the complexity of the hernia and adhesions of the structure within the abdomen to the hernia. Occasionally the surgeon may start with the laparoscopic approach and later convert to the open method if the inside of the abdomen looks complex.

The arrival of daVanci Robotic system (Intutive systems) for laparoscopy has recently added a new dimension to the repair of incisional hernias laparoscopically and many surgeons are gaining expertise and are able to tackle the most complex cases laparoscopically.