Incisional Hernia Repair Brisbane
An incisional hernia is a hernia that develops through the scar of a previous abdominal operation. They are more demanding to repair than primary hernias because the abdominal wall has already been disrupted, and most need mesh, careful planning, and an experienced surgeon. Dr Goutham Sivasuthan, AHPRA-registered (MED0002000354), offers open, laparoscopic, and robotic-assisted incisional hernia repair across Brisbane and surrounds.
Table of Contents
Incisional Hernia: Expert Care for a Demanding Repair
Up to one in three patients who has open abdominal surgery will develop an incisional hernia within five years, but most are small and quietly enlarging before they become symptomatic. With modern mesh techniques and pre-operative planning, incisional hernia recurrence rates are much lower than they were a decade ago. Recovery depends on the size of the defect: small repairs often go home the same day, while larger reconstructions need an overnight stay.
What is an Incisional Hernia?
An incisional hernia happens when the abdominal wall closure of a previous operation gives way, allowing fat or bowel to push through the old scar. The bulge may be small at first and only obvious when standing or straining, but tends to enlarge over months to years as normal abdominal pressure stretches the defect. Incisional hernias can develop years — or even decades — after the original surgery.
Why Incisional Hernias Develop
The risk of incisional hernia after open abdominal surgery is increased by:
- Wound infection at the original operation
- Smoking, obesity, or poorly controlled diabetes
- Chronic cough, constipation, or repeated heavy lifting
- Steroid or chemotherapy use that affects healing
- Multiple previous operations through the same incision
Symptoms and When to Seek Treatment
Common signs and symptoms of an incisional hernia include:
- A bulge along the line of a previous abdominal scar
- Discomfort, dragging, or skin irritation over the bulge
- Difficulty with bending, lifting, or core activities
- Skin changes if the hernia is large or long-standing
Seek urgent medical care if the bulge becomes hard, very painful, red, or is associated with nausea or vomiting — these can be signs of incarceration or strangulation, which need same-day surgical assessment.
Comprehensive Assessment and Surgical Planning
Incisional hernia repair needs careful planning. At consultation, Dr Goutham takes a detailed surgical history, examines the abdomen, and almost always arranges a CT scan to measure the defect size, assess the abdominal wall musculature, and check for any other midline defects. The repair plan — open mesh, laparoscopic mesh, robotic-assisted, or component separation for large defects — is matched to the defect size, your previous surgery, and your overall health. A full written quote is provided before you decide.
Pre-Operative Optimisation for Best Outcomes
Preparation before incisional hernia repair is especially important because the repair is more demanding than a primary hernia. Steps Dr Goutham may recommend include:
- Cessation of smoking for at least 4 weeks before surgery (recurrence rates roughly double in smokers)
- Optimisation of diabetes control (HbA1c target discussed at consultation)
- Weight reduction where clinically appropriate — important for large defects
- Pre-operative imaging (usually CT) to plan the repair
- Pre-operative physiotherapy for cough or breathing conditions
- Review of blood-thinning medications with your GP or cardiologist
Advanced Techniques for Large or Complex Incisional Hernias
For large or recurrent incisional hernias, advanced techniques may be needed to achieve a durable repair:
- Component Separation Technique (CST) — releases the abdominal wall muscle layers so they can be brought together without tension over a large defect, usually combined with mesh.
- Transversus Abdominis Release (TAR) — a posterior component separation that places mesh in the retromuscular space for very large defects.
- Robotic-assisted incisional repair — enhanced visualisation and dexterity for recurrent or complex defects.
- Botulinum toxin injection to the lateral abdominal wall — used pre-operatively in selected very large defects to lengthen the abdominal wall muscles.
Why Choose Dr Goutham for Incisional Hernia Repair?
Choosing the right surgeon for your incisional hernia matters more than for any other hernia type — durable repair is technique-dependent. Dr Goutham brings:
- Specialist experience in primary, recurrent, and large incisional hernias including component separation
- specialist surgical qualification and AHPRA registration (MED0002000354)
- Multidisciplinary planning with radiology, anaesthetics, and physiotherapy for complex cases
- Known-gap fee arrangements with most major Australian private health funds where possible (see hernia surgery costs)
- Consulting locations across Spring Hill, Sunnybank, Springwood, Cleveland, and North Lakes
Take the First Step Toward a Lasting Repair
An incisional hernia rarely gets smaller on its own, and large defects can affect breathing, core strength, and quality of life. If you have a bulge along a previous abdominal scar, book a consultation with Dr Goutham to discuss imaging, repair options, and the right plan for you. There is no pressure to schedule surgery on the day of consultation — most incisional hernia repairs benefit from a few weeks of pre-operative preparation.
More information
Ask a question
