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Pain after mesh repair

Stacey,
Thanks for the update.
Re MRI for occult hernias:
– I don’t believe the situation is as sour for non-inguinal hernias. The reason is because the groin area is poorly evaluable with CT but the abdominal wall is pretty well seen. That said, all hernias are underreported in imaging. It’s not high on radiologists’ radar.
– Hernias from laparoscopic operations are very rare. I’ve also published on this. See the Bariatric Times article “to close or not to close port site hernias.”
– Upright MRIs are excellent alternatives to MRI with Valsalva. But open MRIs are not sensitive enough to show occult hernias.
– You can take your CD to any radiology group and ask for a second opinion or re-evaluation. You may have to pay cash for it.

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Inguinal hernia: 33 year old female patient- mesh?

I agree with Dr Goldstein. There have been no reports that I am aware with problems with pregnancy, delivery, or Csection after laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. I would mention to the obstetrician that there is mesh there. And theoretically there can be problems (mesh infection). I review this with my female patients and still recommend it. Also, if thin female, I recommend lightweight mesh.

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Pain in thigh radiating through left leg too

Hernia-related pain can radiate from groin toward flank, hip, lower back, and front of thigh. Never behind the thigh or leg and never below the knee. Such symptoms are either from spine, or very possibly from a hip problem, such as a tear. I would evaluate your hip.

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hernia specialist in New Hampshire

Hernia-related pain does occur during intercourse and with orgasm in men and women. In my opinion, I do not believe inter course is actually doing more harm.

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Surgery with Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction

These requests are all doable. We will assign you to an anesthesiologist to make sure all protocols are followed. I’ll have my office set that up for you.

No worries about Cedars-Sinai. With good communication, everything will be just fine. It’s a fantastic hospital with excellent nursing care.

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Trying to Get A Hernia Diagnosis

Yeah! Please spread the word to your doctor and your friends!

As for the Trocar site, it sounds like it may be a hernia. An exam by your surgeon should be all you need. And/or an ultrasound. Those are easy to fix.

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Could this be a hidden hernia ?

Dr Bruce Ramshaw is an amazingly knowledgeable and talented hernia specialist. He is in Daytona FL. He can help.

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hernia specialist in New Hampshire

1. Try Dr Gina Adrales at Dartmouth. She is a talented surgeon with interest in women with hernias.
2. MRI is recommended if Ultrasound is not diagnostic. If trappings shows hernia, no need to do further imaging. In fact, my research paper “role of imaging in the diagnosis of occult hernias” published on JAMA Surgery this week. Show this to any entity or person who refuses to order MRI to help you.
3. Abdominal core exercises may improve your muscle strength around the area of you hernia and improve
Hernia symptoms.
4. Yes! Your prior laparoscopic operations do not prevent you from having laparoscopic hernia repair.

Talk to your surgeon. For thin petite women, I do not recommend mesh repair unless it’s done laparoscopically and with lightweight mesh. Other option is non-mesh open repair.

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What ?s should surgeons be asking their patients?

Hi all. Please welcome Dr Greenberg. He is a friend and colleague of mine and I respect all of his expertise.
So glad to have you on board, Jake!

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Hidden hernia or pudendal pain symptoms?

Thanks for your reply.
Which part of your leg does the pain radiate to? And which part of your back?
Numbness of the buttock is not caused by hernias. I would look into spinal issues.
Pudendal neuralgia is a very difficult diagnosis to make. Dr Michael Hibner in Arizona is a world expert on it. I recommend you go on his site and see if you relate to his information.

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Trying to Get A Hernia Diagnosis

Is the bulge at the incision? I can’t tell if the incision is there. If so, then yes, that’s a hernia at
The Trocar site.

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Surgery with Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction

Of course.
So glad things are movingbalongvtowards a cure to your pain.
Looking forward to your operation.

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Chronic pain and recurring Hernias

First of all, if you are in chronic pain and debilitated, then every effort should be taken to help relieve that.

If it is from the tacks, they can be removed. It is not like finding a needle in a haystack as they can be seen on X-ray if they cannot be seen upon initial laparoscopic exploration. If it is from the sutures, those can be removed, too. If it is from the mesh, the mesh can also be removed.

If performed by a skilled surgeon who has done this in the past (ask them specifically), then you will be in good hands and any risks would be diminished.

Dr. Peterson of the UW Hernia Clinic is an excellent resource. Please let her know that you have been posting on HerniaTalk and ask her to join the discussion group as one of our surgeons!

Let us know what she recommends.

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Could this be a hernia?

Yes! Pain with opening heavy door: Classic. Female in the family with hernia: strong link. Pain at labia: absolutely. These are all symptoms which are typically seen sming my patient’s with hernias.

I recommend you start with a dynamic hernia ultrasound. If it’s “negative “, then MRI with valsalva.

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Occult or hidden hernia?

– MRI is much better than CT to detect abnormalities in the muscle and soft tissue. I recommend it.
– injection therapy may be helpful as a diagnostic and possibly therapeutic modality. Be careful that any steroid injection, if performed too superficially, may cause fat necrosis and a permanent deformity of your skin. Discuss this with your Pain specialist.

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Could this be a hidden hernia ?

No no no. You are not crazy. Your pain is real. You do not have to live with it.

In fact, your story is a textbook case of a hernia. It’s been a long time since I have heard a story that points to a hernia from every single aspect.

First, examination must be done standing.

Second, your story is perfect for a hernia.

Third, CT scan is very poor and inaccurate for smaller occult hidden hernias. We just published this data last month. Look up “Role of Imaging in Occult Hernias” in JAMA Surgery. MRI with valsalva is next step. And of course a skilled radiologist or surgeon specialist should interpret it.

Do not give up. Find a surgeon who is a “believer”, as I call them, get your hernia(s) repaired, and move on with your joyous pain free life.

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Chronic pain and recurring Hernias

Curious to know what your CT shows. A rock in the abdomen is not normal. It can be a recurrence or a ball of mesh. And you should not accept chronic pain as something you have to life with.

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Surgery with Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction

Such a pleasure to have seen you today. Hope to be able to help you.

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Mesh and Surgery Concerns

Yes to all. The recurrence rate of tissue repair is highly variable from surgeon to surgeon and depends in the patient’s risk factors, tissue quality as well.

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Pain after mesh repair

Great question.
Interpreting an imaging study can be like looking at a work of art. It’s really an interpretation. However, if the symptoms are real, there are examination findings that are real, and the imaging does not support any of those, then it must be re-read or another imaging must be sought. I don’t think it’s fair to have patients suffer from pain.