THE COMPLEX HERNIA: WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

If your hernia goes untreated for many years, it can become complex. A complex hernia also refers to a hernia that’s treated unsuccessfully. At times, hernia surgery is unable to remove the hernia. A hernia becomes complex each time you undergo surgery to remove it. Individuals of all ages and genders can develop hernias.

In some cases, hernias can become difficult to treat. However, even the most complex hernias are treatable. It is best to treat hernias as soon as possible. Neglecting hernia repairs for many years can lead to more pain and surgical complications. Read this to learn about hernias and how you can avoid developing a complex hernia.

• What Is a Hernia?
• What Is a Complex Hernia?
• Complex Hernia Symptoms
• What Are the Most Common Types of Complex Hernias?
• Risk Factors and Complications of Complex Hernias
• Complex Hernia Treatments
• Why Are Complex Hernia Treatments Important?

What Is a Hernia?

Before learning about complex hernias, you should understand what hernias are and how they develop. hernias occur when an organ pushes against or through the tissue or muscle that keeps it in place. Hernias usually develop in the abdominal area as your small intestines push against the abdominal wall and break through it. Hernias can also develop in the groin or upper thigh areas.

There are a few different types of hernias. Some are more common than others. While it is not ideal, hernias aren’t always life-threatening. However, hernias won’t go away by themselves. Surgery is necessary to remove it. Having surgery prevents hernias from causing other problems in your body.

Hernias can become serious when they get stuck in the tissue they push through.  Sometimes, hernias can’t go back when this happens, causing pain and discomfort. It even leads to a decrease in blood supply and tissue death.

What Causes Hernias?

Hernias develop when your muscles get weaker or become strained. Some factors that lead to hernias are:

• A congenital condition developed at birth
• Age
• Tissue or muscle damage from an injury
• Heavy lifting or strenuous physical activity
• Chronic and constant coughing
• Pregnancy
• Constipation
• Obesity
• Ascites

What Is a Complex Hernia?

Now that you know more about hernias and what causes them, we can discuss complex hernias and how they occur. Complex hernias are more serious and require immediate attention. Leaving a hernia untreated or waiting for it to become painful increases the chances of it developing into a complex hernia. When you undergo multiple surgical procedures to close the hole in your muscles or tissue without removing the hernia properly, it can become complex. The chances of successful hernia surgery decrease each time you undergo a procedure to try to remove it. Ongoing surgery may weaken or strain the damaged tissue more, worsening the hernia. The surrounding tissue may need replacing or reconstruction to treat the hernia successfully.

Complex Hernia Symptoms

How do you know if you have a complex hernia? If you experience severe abdominal pain, constipation, vomiting, or hardness around your hernia, your hernia might be complex. Previous hernia surgery increases the chances of developing a complex hernia. If you experience these symptoms after previous hernia repair procedures, seek urgent medical assistance as soon as possible.

What Are the Most Common Types of Complex Hernias?

Different scenarios lead to a complex hernia. Failed surgery is not the only reason.

Large Hernias

Hernias begin as a manageable bulge. They may grow and become very large if left untreated. Hernias the size of a grape can become the size of a melon. Larger hernias may contain intestinal tissue, leading to digestive, blood flow, and respiratory issues. Larger hernias become strangulated or incarcerated and require emergency hernia surgery. That is why it is imperative to seek medical assistance during the early stages.

Painful Hernias

Many hernias won’t cause severe pain. Some may only cause mild discomfort when you strain your abdominal muscles. However, when hernias become painful, they become complex hernias. The pain is due to the intestines or female reproductive organs trapped inside the hernia. Painful hernias require immediate treatment. Seek emergency healthcare as soon as you can.

Failed Surgeries

You may also develop a complex hernia when hernia surgery cannot repair it successfully. Therefore, you need a more advanced surgical procedure to correct your hernia and provide permanent relief.

Risk Factors and Complications of Complex Hernias

Complex hernias become even more complicated when there are certain risk factors. The following factors affect the severity of complex hernias:

Location

Hernias located on your back or side and below your rib cage or belly button are more complicated to repair.

Previous Hernia Repair Procedures

Your abdominal wall weakens each time you have surgery in that region. A weakened abdominal wall or muscle layer can make complex hernias riskier.

Obesity

Obesity places additional pressure on hernias or hernia wounds. Additionally, obesity puts you at risk of blood clots, wound infections, and pneumonia. Hernia surgery becomes complicated when you are overweight or obese. However, losing weight before your complex hernia surgery will increase the chance of success.

Pre-Existing Conditions

Certain pre-existing health conditions, such as malnutrition, diabetes, and smoking, complicate hernia repairs. These conditions affect the wound healing process, increasing your chances of developing a complex hernia.

Complex Hernia Treatment

What can you do to treat a complex hernia? Regular hernia surgery may cause further complications if a hernia reaches a certain stage. While complex hernias are difficult to treat, there are effective ways to do so. These large or complicated hernias require specialized surgery to target the problem area successfully and prevent a recurrence.

At Orange County Robotic General Surgery, Dr. Abtin Khosravi, MD, offers advanced laparoscopic hernia repair. This technique repairs the damage in your abdominal wall with small incisions, telescopes, and mesh. Dr. Khosravi also uses the da Vinci surgical system to provide a detailed, 3D visual of your body. This system offers a more precise analysis of your hernia and allows him to perform the procedure with greater precision.

Why Are Complex Hernia Treatments Dangerous?

While complex hernias are rare, you should always be on the lookout for symptoms. Complex hernias are at risk of developing infections if they remain untreated. Your wound from previous hernia repair procedures can become infected. If left untreated, complex hernias cause life-threatening complications.

Treating Complex Hernias

A complex hernia is far more serious and requires urgent medical attention. If your hernia has become large and painful, or you have a history of unsuccessful treatment, consider Laparoscopic Hernia Repair. Dr. Abtin Khosravi has years of experience in complex hernia surgery. You can contact Orange County Robotic General Surgery to speak to Dr. Khosravi about your complex hernia. Call us at (714) 541-4996 to learn more about the procedure.

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