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The hernia occurs due to the push-through of an internal part of the body through a weakness in the muscles or tissue wall.
In almost every case, hernia surgery is the only way to repair this condition. Different types of hernia surgery are available, depending on the type of hernia and its severity. Below, we have discussed the mesh hernia repair and reconstructive surgery options in detail. This post will discuss both options individually.
Firstly, we must understand what exactly causes hernias in order to understand how the mesh works and why is it needed.
The organs in the body are held in place by muscular walls. In cases of extreme physical activity or pregnancy, a weakening area in the muscle wall can allow an organ or intestine to push through, resulting in a bulge in the body, which is referred to as a hernia.
A hernia repair surgery involves pushing the protruding organ or intestine back into place, followed by stitching the muscle wall defect. There is a high recurrence rate for hernias, so surgeons often use surgical mesh during hernia repair in order to reduce recurrence. The conventional method of treating hernias involves sewing the pieces of torn tissue back together. However, hernia recurrence is less likely to occur after mesh-based surgeries, according to some studies.
However, there are other factors that can affect the outcome, such as the mesh type and the patient's medical condition. For instance, the use of certain types of mesh has been recalled because of higher failure rates, which have resulted in serious complications and the necessity for more surgery.
Here are some of the common surgical mesh types that are typically used in hernia repair surgery:
It is generally acceptable to use mesh as a standard of care in most cases. Mesh, however, can cause complications.
To strengthen the repair, your body incorporates mesh, but the mesh is not native to your body. It can become contaminated and infected if it does, it will need to be immediately removed to prevent further damage to the body.
It is also possible for patients who have had abdominal mesh placed to develop scar tissue or adhesions that may predispose them to bowel obstruction in the future. FDA analysis found that the following are the most commonly reported adverse events for hernia surgery, regardless of mesh use:
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is best to immediately contact your doctor.
During abdominal wall reconstruction surgery, the abdominal wall is reinforced, and weakened or damaged muscles are strengthened and repaired to restore their normal function.
This surgery is recommended for patients with an advanced hernia requiring immediate attention. This typically happens when the hernia has returned. Attempts to repair hernias repeatedly can cause the surrounding tissue to become weak or stretched, requiring augmentation or replacement.
Your doctor is likely to use mesh in this type of surgery as well.
Complications associated with abdominal wall reconstruction are the same as those associated with other major abdominal surgeries.
During this surgery, the skin and soft tissue are often dissected and undermined, which can lead to wound complications. There are many types of surgical site infections, from simple ones to deep space infections or necrosis of the skin, subcutaneous tissue, or flaps.
The surgery also uses mesh for abdominal wall reconstruction, so mesh infections are a dreaded complication. These infections, however, can usually be minimized with good preoperative preparation, surgical technique, and antibiotics used postoperatively.
Once the surgery, regardless of the type, has been successfully performed, it is important to take care of the surgical site. Take the medicines that your doctor has assigned you, and avoid engaging and intense physical activities.
Prior to getting back to your normal physical routine, you should consult your doctor.
