After hernia surgery hernia recurrence rates vary a lot and many studies suggest that 90 – 99% success rates are common. When compared to non-mesh repairs, in many cases mesh repairs offer a smaller chance of hernia recurrence rate. Unfortunately, some hernia repairs may lead to a very high incidence of chronic pain, which can range from 5-15%.
The main objective is to find a surgeon who has performed a lot of hernia surgery. Typically, an experienced surgeon will have better results with or without the use of mesh. There is no “one size fits all” approach to hernia surgery” and it all depends on the surgeon who decides what approach fits for an individual.
So lets us understand two important factors as what is Recurrent Hernia and what are the risk factors for developing a recurrent hernia after a primary repair.
One of the important risks associated with hernia repair surgery is that the hernia can return. A recurrent hernia is a process where a hernia repair fails and the hernia reappears.
Symptoms of Recurrent Hernia
A recurrent hernia – It is recognized as a bulge, sometimes painful, that appears at or near the site of the original hernia. Severe health complications occur if the hernia progresses and the intestines protrude into the hernia, such as:
- Infection
- Constipation
- Nausea/vomiting
- Loss of blood supply to the intestines
Causes: Recurrent Hernia
There is a variety of reason for a hernia to reappear, some of which may not always be clear. The following factors can place patients at an increased risk of a recurrent hernia:
- Infection of a wound from initial hernia surgery
- Being too active too soon after surgery
- Chronic use of steroids
- Chronic acute cough
- Smoking
- Obesity
The risk factors:
The risk factors for developing a recurrent hernia after a primary repair include
Surgeon factors:
- Less number of surgeries or not an experienced hernia surgeon
- Surgical inexperience of the initial surgeon
- Open hernia surgery under local anaesthesia
- Insufficient surgical technique of the surgeon including:
- lack of mesh overlap
- improper mesh choice
- lack of proper mesh fixation
Patient factors:
- Presence of a sliding hernia
- Collagen disorders
- Obesity
- Chronic steroid use
- Activity too early after surgery
- Smoking, COPD, chronic cough
- No mesh is used for initial repair
- Initial mesh not fixed to the muscle strong enough
It is very important to understand that the presentation of hernia at the time of surgery is also a risk factor for recurrence. Like Large hernias, emergency hernia surgery etc have increased risk of recurrence then normal ones.
Non-surgical Treatments for Recurrent Hernia
Surgical intervention is very necessary in order to repair a recurrent hernia.
Surgical Treatment for Recurrent Hernia and Post-Treatment
Recurrent hernias can be one of the most challenging types of hernia to repair.
Laparoscopic recurrent hernia repair:
Usually, Individuals with a recurrent hernia are good candidates for laparoscopic repair because the muscles of the abdomen are weak and laparoscopic surgical techniques are useful to maintain the integrity of the muscles more so than an open hernia repair procedure. Also, scar tissue from previous surgery can be avoided when using laparoscopic equipment.
Open recurrent hernia repair:
Open repair may be necessary if the recurrent hernia is complex in order to properly restore the functionality of the abdominal wall. Open hernia repair allows surgeons to carefully move abdominal tissues to their original position and place mesh on both sides of the weakened muscle in order to provide additional reinforcement.
Conclusion:
There are certain factors responsible for recurrent hernia, but the latest technology and experience of your Surgeon reduces the risk of recurrent hernia after a primary repair include.
