Intra Abdominal Cancer Surgery

A hernia is when one of the internal organs protrudes from a weak area of the body. Generally, it happens when the pressure in the abdomen increases. Weakening of the abdominal wall with advancing age, obesity, continuous straining due to prostate enlargement or constipation and continuous coughing as in chronic bronchitis disease facilitates hernia development. We can divide the hernias on the anterior abdominal wall into 3 groups: inguinal hernias, umbilical hernias and incision site hernias.

How to diagnose inguinal, umbilical or incisional hernia?

The diagnosis of anterior abdominal wall hernias is usually easily made by a general surgery physician even when it is only examined manually. In cases where there is suspicion, the patient is obese or may be confused with other diseases, the diagnosis is finalized with ultrasonography.

What is an inguinal hernia? What are the symptoms?

It manifests itself with swelling in both groin areas or ovaries. A fatty structure called the omentum or a sac around part of the abdominal organs such as the small intestine comes out. It can be unilateral or bilateral. Classically, it swells when standing, and can be pushed back manually when lying down. In cases where the hernia cannot be taken back into the abdomen, the organs in the hernia sac may be squeezed and strangled. This condition is painful and requires immediate surgical intervention.

How is inguinal hernia surgery performed?

Hernias in the groin area can be treated with open surgery or small incisions (laparoscopically). Both techniques have advantages and disadvantages over eachother. Open surgery can be performed under local anesthesia without the need for general anesthesia. An incision of approximately 6-cm long is generated. The patient can be discharged on the evening of the same day, approximately 6-8 hours after the operation. In cases that make it difficult for the patient to receive anesthesia, such as blood pressure and heart disease, the surgery can be performed smoothly with the support of mild sedative drugs. On the other hand, general anesthesia is required in laparoscopic surgery. This technique is especially advantageous in patients with bilateral inguinal hernia. It prevents the generation of two separate scars since it allows surgery on both groin areas through the same holes. In addition, in laparoscopic surgery, since the patch we call mesh is placed under the abdominal wall, there is less pain in the early postoperative period.

How is recovery after inguinal hernia surgery?

A patch should definitely be placed in inguinal hernia surgery in adult patients. This patch adheres to the tissue of the area where it is placed in a period of 3-4 weeks postoperatively. For this reason, one month after surgery should be careful and heavy work should be avoided. At the end of this period, patient can safely return to daily activities. In heavy-duty individuals and professional athletes, this period should be extended for 2-4 weeks if possible.

What is an umbilical hernia? What are the symptoms?

It is the protrusion of the adipose tissue called the intraabdominal omentum or the internal organs wrapped in a pouch from the area of the navel. It is manifested by the disappearance and even swelling of the navel. It can go back spontaneously when it is pushed in with a finger while lying down. Surgery is recommended in cases where the opening of the hernia is greater than 3 cm. In some cases, intra-abdominal adipose tissue called omentum can be squeezed into the hernia sac.

 How is an umbilical hernia surgery performed?

Umbilical hernia surgery can be performed either by open surgery or laparoscopically. In open surgery, the hernia sac is reached with an incision made around the navel. In this way, the incision scar is hidden. In incisions larger than 3 cm, repair must be made with a patch.In laparoscopic surgery, the operation is performed by entering into the abdomen with three small incisions. Open surgery is preferred in cases where intraabdominal organs such as intestine are stuck in the hernia sac.

Incisional hernia

In patients who have had surgery on the anterior abdominal wall before, it may take a long time for the abdominal wall to return to its former strength or a hernia may have occurred before the abdominal wall heals. When incisional hernia is detected, it usually requires surgery, because incision hernias tend to grow.

 

How is incision hernia surgery performed?

In incisional hernia surgeries, if it is thought that there may be intra-abdominal adhesions due to the previous surgery, open surgery is preferred. Nevertheless, laparoscopic surgery can be applied in selected hernia cases.