What are the treatment options for a ventral hernia?
Ventral hernias are typically treated surgically. If a ventral hernia is not causing you any profound symptoms, you may be able to wait some time before surgical treatment (this may be helpful if you are anticipating a different medical event or if you would prefer to plan around a life event). In the meantime, you may be able to use a binder or other mechanical dressing to help reduce the bulging of your hernia.
Ventral hernias are definitively treated using a surgical procedure. This can be accomplished via an open repair or a laparoscopic repair. At ALA, our surgeons specialize in laparoscopic repairs because they are associated with fewer complications, shorter hospital stays, quicker returns to activity and lower recurrence rates. During a laparoscopic hernia repair procedure, a surgeon first makes a few small incisions in the abdomen and then fills the cavity with gas for ideal visualization of the hernia and surrounding structures. Then, the surgeon uses small tools inserted through the incisions in the abdomen, and a small camera, to repair the hernia using either a mesh material or sutures.
Robotic technologies are also embraced by our surgeons, and they share the same benefits as pure laparoscopic methods. During a robotic procedure, the abdomen is filled with gas, and then robotic tools are inserted into the abdominal cavity via small incisions, as well as a state-of-the-art camera system. This technique can allow a surgeon to repair a ventral hernia using mesh or sutures with extremely fine control of all movements, and it has been associated with shorter hospital stays and fewer complications compared to a traditional open repair.