A hernia is a weakness in the abdominal wall that allows abdominal contents, including the intestines, to push through the abdominal muscles, creating a bulge under the skin. A ventral hernia occurs near or above the umbilicus (belly button) area, or even within the umbilicus. Ventral hernias may cause discomfort from sharp pain to dull aches, or they may not cause any symptoms. In either case, hernias do not go away on their own and require surgery to correct. Hernia surgery is considered safe, according to the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, but complications can arise.
Persistent Pain
Pain that lasts beyond what doctors consider a reasonable (which may not be consistent from one doctor to the next) time past surgery is one of the most complained-about complications following ventral hernia surgery. To fix a hernia, doctors use mesh to help reinforce the weak area of the abdominal wall. The sutures that anchor the mesh to the abdominal wall can injure the muscles or the nerves in the area, causing pain. The pain may be treated with marcaine (a local anesthetic) injections or narcotics, but according to an article titled "Laparoscopic Incisional and Ventral Hernia Repair" published in the Jul-Sep 2007 issue of "Journal of Minimal Access Surgery," the persistent pain may require another surgery to remove or replace the mesh.
Seroma
A seroma is the accumulation of clear fluid, or serum, in a newly created space in tissue. During hernia surgery, the hernia sac is not removed, leaving a space for a seroma to form. Damage to abdominal wall tissue caused by the surgery can kill cells and lead to an inflammatory response. If small blood vessels in the area are also damaged, they can release serum that can accumulate in the hernia sac. A seroma may resolve itself or it may require aspiration, but according to the article in the "Journal of Minimal Access Surgery," seromas cause no long-term complications.
Intestinal Injury
Ventral hernia surgery requires entry into the abdominal space and manipulation of the intestines. During the procedure, the intestines may be perforated, which, if not noticed during the surgery, can lead to infection and the need for further surgery. Damage to the intestines can also lead to an obstruction, which may require another operation.
Infection
Infection of the wound is a risk of any surgery, including ventral hernia repair. Infection is more likely to occur following hernia surgery that used an open incision rather than one that is done laparoscopically (which involves small incisions to allow the insertion of surgical instruments).
Infection of the mesh used to repair the abdominal wall is another possible complication. If the mesh becomes infected, it may need to be removed and replaced.
Recurrence
Repairing a hernia does not ensure that the hernia will not recur. The rate of recurrence, according to the article in the "Journal of Minimal Access Surgery," is approximately 3.7 percent. Recurrence can happen when the mesh that was applied shifts, does not completely cover the weakened portion of the abdominal wall or needs to be removed due to infection.
