
Abdominal Wall Surgery
If a doctor finds defects in a patient’s abdominal wall, there may be a need for it to be reconstructed. There are a variety of abdominal wall surgeries that can be done, but it is mostly dependent on the patient’s particular defect. The aim of abdominal wall surgery aim is to ensure that they rectify the structure and functionality of the abdominal wall.
One of the common abdominal wall defects that require surgical intervention is the separation of the rectus abdominis muscles. This condition is quite common amongst pregnant women. It occurs as a result of the baby’s growth in the womb, and the rectus abdominis separates in order to accommodate a large fetus. Although it is not considered as a medical condition, it can still cause back pain and abdominal pain.
The separation of the rectus abdominis muscle is called diastasis recti, and not all women who experience this undergo surgery. Women who desire a flatter stomach may opt to rectify it through surgery where the muscles are tightened together, returning it to a flatter and stronger abdomen. This procedure can be done in conjunction with a tummy tuck procedure. Through this, excess fat and skin are removed while the muscles are simultaneously repaired. This creates the appearance of a flat stomach.
Other patients who need an abdominal wall surgery may not have diastasis recti but might have a hernia instead. A hernia is a protrusion caused by an internal organ pressed against the abdominal wall. The bulge can be flattened while in a supine position or when pressure is given towards it. The hernia doesn’t go away on its own and can worsen over time.
In order to treat the hernia, it must first diagnosed and evaluated by medical professionals. Certain tests such as CT scans can help identify the location and presence of a hernia. An abdominal wall procedure can treat the hernia. For some, one surgery would be enough to treat it, but there are others whose hernia returns after some time has elapsed. If the hernia is surgically treated multiple times and it still persists, it will then be classified as a complex type of hernia. It is best to find an experienced and professional surgeon to perform the repair to maximize the chances of a successful procedure.
No matter the abdominal wall defect, the abdominal wall surgery can help repair it. Before the surgical procedure, patients are assessed to ensure that they are healthy enough for the surgery. After the surgery, patients need to make sure that they treat their body well and provide it with nutrients to help aid in their recovery. The abdominal wall repair can be used to treat medical conditions like hernia or more cosmetic conditions such as diastasis recti. Either way, this procedure can improve the patient’s self-esteem regarding their body.