What is the recurrence rate for abdominal hernias?
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What is the recurrence rate for abdominal hernias?
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@victor The prognosis depends on the type and size of hernia, as well as on the ability to reduce risk factors associated with the development of hernias. As a rule, the prognosis is good with timely diagnosis and repair. Morbidity typically is secondary either to missing the diagnosis of the hernia or to complications associated with management of the disease.
A hernia can lead to an incarcerated and often obstructed bowel, or even to a strangulated bowel with a compromised blood supply, which, if missed, can result in bowel perforation and peritonitis. Reduction of the strangulated bowel leads to persistent ischemia or necrosis with no clinical improvement. Surgical intervention is required to prevent further complications (eg, perforation and sepsis).
In general, patients with uncomplicated inguinal and abdominal wall hernias do well. However, mortality is 10% for those who have hernias with associated strangulation. It should be kept in mind that surgery to repair the hernia or manage its complications may leave the patient at risk for infection or intra-abdominal adhesions. In addition, hernias can reappear in the same location, even after surgical repair.