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Lump above incision site, worried it could be a recurrence.
1 year ago I had a laparoscopic mesh repair for an umbilical hernia. No problems. 4 months ago, I had a cholecystectomy. The surgeons (same for both operations) opened up the incision that was used for the hernia for the cholecystectomy. I have been healing well in the fast 4 months. There was a build up of fluid above the incision site after the cholecystectomy (scar tissue, seroma) and that was going down over the past four months but didn’t completely resolve.
In the past two weeks, it has started to bulge more prominently! It is a soft lump about 4 cm in diameter. It doesn’t feel firm or hurt. It’s not red. It is slightly above (not directly on) incision site. I am very worried it’s another hernia as when I lie down, the lump tends to flatten out. But it doesn’t feel as firm as the previous umbilical hernia though. Yet I am not sure why it would suddenly start to bulge more prominently all of a sudden. I haven’t been doing any intensive straining as far as I can recollect. I don’t smoke, am not overweight, and am otherwise healthy.
Is this likely to be a recurrence?
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1 Reply
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Definitely have your surgeon re-examine you. You may need imaging to confirm whether this is a persistent fluid collection or a hernia recurrence. I recommend CT scan with valsalva and oral contrast.
For those who need surgery after an abdominal wall hernia repair, it is important to let your surgeon know that you have had a hernia repair and/or use of mesh. Ideally, your surgeon should try their best not to go through the repair and instead use alternate routes for your operation.
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