What is a ventral hernia?
A ventral (abdominal) hernia refers to any protrusion of the intestine or other tissue through a weakness or gap in the abdominal wall. Umbilical and incisional hernias are specific types of ventral hernias.
Ventral Hernia Causes
The cause of a ventral hernia can vary depending on its location, your medical history, your health, and your personal anatomy. Weakness in the abdominal wall from which the bowel protrudes may be part of the natural formation of your body. It can also be caused by:
- Chronic cough, severe or chronic vomiting
- Diabetes or other illnesses
- Weight lifting
- Injury or obesity
- Pregnancy
- Previous surgery
Ventral Hernia Diagnosis
To define a ventral hernia, a healthcare professional may use more than one diagnostic technique, but will start with a medical history and physical examination. The provider will ask and / or search for the following:
- Constipation, “narrow” or “thin” stools
- Lump or bulge in the abdomen; You may be asked to stand up and cough, which increases abdominal pressure and makes the hernia more pronounced and easier to diagnose
- Nausea, vomiting, fever, or rapid heartbeat
- Pain in the abdomen, especially around the bump
- If the protruding part of the intestine becomes stuck (trapped) within the abdominal wall, blood flow to the intestine may be interrupted. This can cause other complications such as necrosis (tissue death). If your provider suspects this is the case, additional diagnoses may include:
- Blood tests to look for infections caused by intestinal obstruction or necrosis
- Ultrasound, MRI, CT, or other imaging to check for obstruction or its true location of the bowel protrusion
Ventral Hernia Treatments
The specific treatment for a ventral hernia will be determined by your doctor based on many factors such as your general health, anatomy, extent and location of the hernia, and desired future level of physical activity. Treatment usually consists of one of two types of surgery:
Open hernia repair
In this surgical procedure, also known as hernia, the surgeon makes an incision in the abdominal area above the hernia, pushes the protruding intestines back into the abdomen and repairs the opening in the muscle wall. Sometimes, in a procedure known as hernioplasty, the weak area is repaired and reinforced with steel mesh or wire.
Laparoscopy
In this minimally invasive surgical procedure, the surgeon makes several small incisions in the lower abdomen and inserts a tube-like instrument equipped with a camera called a laparoscope into one of the incisions. Images are displayed on a large monitor that the surgeon uses to guide the operation. Using instruments placed in other incisions, the surgeon repairs the hernia with synthetic mesh and stitches or skin glue.
