Repairing incisional hernia simple

Dear Dr. Gott: About 31/2 years ago, I had a fall. A couple of ribs were fractured, and one ruptured my spleen. This resulted in surgery with an incision from my belly button to my breastbone.

All was fine until 10 to 12 months later, when a bulge appeared on the right side of my abdomen.

The surgeon said I had an incisional hernia. I had never heard of this in my 68 years, as I could count on one hand the number times I had been in a doctor’s office. I was told I could have another surgery, which would open the entire area again, or wait until any vital-functions problems surfaced. I elected to wait. Now the bulge continues to get larger.

Please give me your thoughts and opinions on solutions to my problem.

Dear Reader: An incisional hernia is a weakness of the tissues that were sewn together at the time of surgery. This allows the weakened portion to stretch and bulge from normal pressure within the abdomen or in other locations.

Inasmuch as your hernia is growing larger, I advise you to have it repaired now rather than wait until the hernia is huge.

In my experience, hernia surgery is simple and safe. The weak tissues are sewn together and strengthened by a firm mesh resembling a window screen.

Incisional hernias do not, by themselves, lead to ill health and are a relatively common complication of surgical procedures, especially those involving the abdominal wall. But the hernias are a nuisance and should be addressed if they are enlarging. Any reputable and qualified surgeon should be able to help you.

I should add that incisional hernias are somewhat different from inguinal hernias (in the groin) because these defects in the abdominal wall will often enable loops of bowel to be forced through the openings and get stuck (incarcerated), leading to the possibility of blockage of blood to that bowel loop. Gangrene can result. In these circumstances, surgery is necessary. Therefore, while a person might safely wait to have an incisional hernia repaired, the inguinal variety should be fixed relatively quickly because you don’t want to risk an attack of bowel gangrene during a climb up Mount Everest.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “An Informed Approach to Surgery.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.