Preventing and Treating Hernias After Emergency Surgery

Emergency surgeries such as bowel obstruction repair, perforated ulcer closure, or trauma exploration — can save lives. However, they sometimes carry a higher risk of incisional or ventral hernias as the body heals.

At IBI Clinic, we see many patients who develop hernias months or even years after emergency operations, and we specialize in both prevention and state-of-the-art repair techniques.

Why Hernias Can Develop After Emergency Surgery

Unlike elective operations, emergency surgeries are often performed:

Under urgent or contaminated conditions
In weakened or swollen tissues
With limited time for layered closure

This increases the chance that the incision may not heal under optimal tension, leading to a gap or defect in the abdominal wall what we call an incisional hernia.

Some common risk factors include:

Infection at the surgical site can delay healing and thus increase the risk of complications.
Poor nutrition or smoking, both of which negatively affect recovery.
Obesity or diabetes, conditions known to increase postoperative risks.
Excessive coughing or straining postoperatively, which can stress incisions and slow healing.
Repeated abdominal surgeries, often linked to higher complication rates.

Additionally, addressing these risk factors before surgery can improve outcomes and ensure a smoother recovery. Studies show that up to 20–30% of patients may develop a hernia after major emergency laparotomy (Muysoms et al., Hernia, 2022).

Prevention: Strengthening the Foundation Early

The best hernia repair is the one that never has to happen.

IBI Clinic emphasizes prevention through:

Meticulous Closure Techniques: Using advanced suture materials, reinforced or mesh-assisted closures, and tension-free methods even in contaminated cases.
Optimizing Healing: Managing blood sugar, encouraging protein intake, and stopping smoking prior to elective repair or re-operation.
Activity Guidance: Educating patients on lifting restrictions, coughing support (using an abdominal binder or pillow), and early but safe ambulation.
Weight and Core Control: Keeping BMI under 30 and maintaining gentle core strengthening after recovery.

Preventing and Treating Hernias: Early Detection Matters

A hernia may not appear immediately. Watch for:

A bulge or lump near a previous incision
Pain, pressure, or pulling sensation
Changes when coughing or standing
Bowel obstruction symptoms (nausea, vomiting, severe pain requires urgent attention)

At IBI Clinic, we use ultrasound and CT imaging to detect small or complex hernias before they become larger problems.

Treatment Options: Modern, Minimally Invasive Solutions

If a hernia develops, it can almost always be repaired safely often robotically or laparoscopically, with minimal downtime.

Our options include:

Laparoscopic or robotic ventral hernia repair with mesh reinforcement
Component separation techniques for large or recurrent hernias
Biologic or hybrid meshes in cases of infection or contamination
Concurrent abdominal wall reconstruction to restore strength and contour

These techniques reduce pain, lower recurrence rates, and allow faster recovery compared to traditional open repairs.

The IBI Clinic Advantage

Our surgical team offers:

Repair of complicated hernias, including those after emergency or trauma surgery
Laser-assisted wound healing and improved scar care
Care from multiple specialists, including weight management, wound care, and minimally invasive treatments

Whether your hernia is new, recurring, or comes with other surgical issues, IBI Clinic provides complete care all in one place.