-
Small Umbilical Hernia Repair Advice
-
Small Umbilical Hernia Repair Advice
Thank you so much Dr. Earle and that does seem like a viable option per what I have read.
I know Dr. Towfigh has mentioned she prefers no mesh or lap placed mesh on thinner women (please correct me if I am misquoting here). I would be curious to hear her thoughts as well.
I attached a picture if that gives more insight. The first is me standing normally (button_1) and what the hernia looks like, the second shows me leaning back and the opening expanded (button_2).
.
-
Small Umbilical Hernia Repair Advice
Based on an incomplete evaluation and no physical exam, seems like the best option would be open “crease” incision at the umbilicus with a small ventral patch, even if the hernia defect has to be slightly opened to get it in. This should be placed preperitoneal, and the hole (hernia defect) closed over the top of it. Most general surgeons can do this well. Whether or not they will honor your request is a different matter. Best of luck!
-
Small Umbilical Hernia Repair Advice
That is correct.
Bottom line – I am looking for the most effective treatment for my lifestyle. I realize no repair is fail-safe, but I would like to pursue the option that is most likely to hold for my situation. Least invasive and/or aesthetically pleasing is a “nice to have,” but longevity is critical considering I deadlift, squat etc. Of course, I am worried about complications with mesh, but I don’t see a way around using it.
Teng (lap preferred surgeon) did mention checking for other hernias while he is in there. I am not sure how much of a concern other hernias should be for me? You mentioned the differences are small. The first surgeon did not mention this to me.
Thank you so much for your help! This is my first surgery and while everyone seems to be telling me this is rather routine, I see my core as very critical and nothing to be taken lightly. That being said if you have any other advice on methods, how I should approach this or recommendations for surgeons in Las Vegas I am open.
-
Small Umbilical Hernia Repair Advice
Melina – Sounds like your goals are relief of symptoms, and preventing this from getting worse (i.e. avoiding recurrence after repair). The, and least invasive option for you would be an open crease incision, with a small ventral patch (mesh) placed pre-peritoneally with the defect closed over the top. This will have a lower chance of recurrence compared to no mesh, and a higher chance of missing adjacent hernias compared to lap. These differences however are small, and this approach is an excellent choice for someone desiring a minimally invasive approach and minimizing risk of recurrence (which is never zero). Here’s a link to an abstract for an article I published on the subject a couple years ago. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=umbilical+heria+earlre
Best of luck. Hope this helps!
Dr. David Earle
Log in to reply.