Page 7 - OASC July 2021 Newsletter
P. 7
July/21
What is a Hernia?...
Intestinal stoma creation is one of the most common surgical procedures. Its most common long-term complication is a hernia appearing around the stoma.
A hernia is like an appliance fail. Something weakens in your abdominal wall, that is, the muscles, fat tissue and fascia that hold your organs in place. Out pushes part of one of your organs, such as your intestine, umbilicus or stomach. The resulting hernia may present no symptoms or you may experi- ence pain, especially when lifting, or a dull ache associated with a bulge.
Hernias can occur for diverse reasons at any age and in many different parts of the abdomen lending their respective names: umbilical, hiatal, inguinal, femoral, ventral, epigastric, lateral, spigellian, and parastomal (a type of incisional hernia). Their risk increases with age and occurs more commonly in men than in women.
Most hernias aren’t immediately life-threatening, but they don’t go away on their own. Many can be managed by watchful waiting. If they become more serious, you can have corrective surgery, either in an open or laparoscopic operation. However, hernias can and often do recur.
More than three quarters of all hernias arise near the groin (inguinal). Only 2% are incisional or ventral and can develop after any type of surgery involving incisions. About 74% of such hernias occur within 2-3 years following surgery.
Factors which may increase your risk for this hernia include abdominal surgery (including ostomy and previous hernia repair), which weakens the abdominal wall, as well as infection, age, obesity, diabetes, smoking, certain medications such as chemotherapy drugs or steroids, and abdominal pressure or strain.
Many experts claim that a parastomal hernia is practically unavoidable and by and large simply a matter of time. Support garments can and do provide strength and support to weak abdominals.
cont’d on page 8...
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