a tear or weakness in the muscular abdominal wall at the site of a previous surgical incision
a weakness of the tissues that were sewn together at the time of surgery
When an abdominal incision does not heal properly, a defect in the fascia (the strong tissues that surround the abdominal muscles) may form. The intestine, or other abdominal organs, may then protrude through this defect. This may cause pain or discomfort, in addition to a visible bulge. If the intestines become stuck in the hernia, this is called an incarcerated hernia. If the edges of the hernia squeeze the blood supply to the intestine, the intestine can become strangulated; this is a surgical emergency
A defect in a healing incision wound that results in a bulging out of the underlying tissues.
Protrusion of an organ or tissue through an incision that has not healed completely. Source: lifespan/Rhode Island Hospital and The Miriam Hospital.
An incisional hernia occurs when the area of weakness through which the hernia occurs, is the result of an incompletely healed surgical wound. Since median incisions in the linea alba are frequent for laparotomy, ventral incisional hernias are termed ventral hernia. These can be the most frustrating and difficult hernias to treat!
