Postoperative hernia

Postoperative hernia (ventral, cicatricial hernia) is one of the complications of surgical interventions on the organs of the abdominal cavity and outside the peritoneal space. It is a tumor-like protrusion in the postoperative scar area. Appears hernia protrusion due to the fact that the muscles of the abdominal wall are separated so that segments of the abdominal or intestinal organs begin to protrude through a weak place in the abdominal cavity.

Causes of postoperative hernia development

The appearance of postoperative hernia can be affected by:

• emergency operations, in which there is no adequate preoperative preparation of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract;
• defects in operating equipment;
• prolonged tamponade or drainage of the abdominal cavity;
• violation of the patient's postoperative regime (increased physical activity, refusal to wear a bandage, non-compliance with the recommended diet, etc.);
• obesity;
• the development of pneumonia or bronchitis after surgery;
• systemic diseases, accompanied by a change in the structure of connective tissue, etc.

Most often, postoperative abdominal hernias are formed after surgery in occasion of:

• appendicitis ;
• intestinal obstruction;
• perforated gastric ulcer;
• umbilical hernia;
• ovarian cysts;
• uterine myomas, etc.

Symptoms of a postoperative hernia

Symptoms and main signs of a postoperative hernia of the abdominal cavity:

• appearance of protrusion along the line of the postoperative scar;
• soreness and an increase in protrusion during straining, abrupt movements, lifting of weights;
• constant cramping pain in the area of ​​the hernia (in the late stages);
• bloating of the intestine;
• constipation ;
• nausea;
• dysuric phenomena;
• irritation and inflammatory changes in the skin in the area of ​​hernial protrusion.

Classify postoperative hernia:

1. By localization:

• medial (middle, upper median, lower median);
• lateral (lower lateral, upper lateral).

• small (up to 4 cm);
• average (5 - 15 cm);
• large (15 - 25 cm);
• Extensive (26 - 35 cm);
• giant (more than 40 cm).

• multiple;
• single.

• single chamber;
• multi-chamber.

• primary;
• recurrent.

Treatment of postoperative hernia by traditional methods

Treatment of postoperative hernia without surgery (conservative methods) is allowed only in case of significant contraindications to surgical intervention. Non-surgical therapy includes the following:

• appointment of a supporting belt - bandage;
• adherence to a special diet;
• exclusion of physical activity;
• prevention of constipation.

The only radical method for getting rid of the ventral hernia is surgery - hernioplasty. The technique of surgical intervention is selected depending on the location and size of the hernial protrusion, the presence of adhesive processes between the abdominal organs and the hernial sac. In the postoperative period, the patient is required to strictly follow the recommendations for:

• diet;
• wearing a bandage;
• physical activity;
• normalizing weight;
• regular emptying of the intestine.

Treatment of postoperative hernia folk remedies

Treatment of a hernia with a compress of the nettle:

1. Grind the leaves of the young nettle in a blender.
2. Put the gruel on a cabbage leaf.
3. The resulting compress should be applied to the hernial protrusion and hold for at least 3 hours, wrapped in a handkerchief.

Treatment of pain syndrome:

1. A tablespoon of herb grass should be placed in a thermos bottle.
2. Pour a glass of boiling water.
3. Insist for 2 hours, drain.
4. Drink all the infusion for four meals half an hour before meals.