Expat woman rushed to UAE hospital with intestines hanging out

Complicated ‘Mesh Hernioplasty’ surgery performed to save life, high risk operation as cardiac pumping capacity only at 25%

Having rejected treatment in Nigeria due to the extreme severity of her condition and being a high risk case, eventually the 37-year-old Nigerian woman, Victoria Odita found cure in UAE at RAK Hospital, Ras Al Khaimah.

She was rushed to the hospital’s emergency with her intestines hanging out of her body as she suffered the life threatening condition putting her at great risk due to the severity of the situation.

 

Following repeated complaints of abdominal swelling for four long years, soon after her third delivery, it came to her realization that a large incisional hernia was present in her infraumbilical region (situated below the navel). The swelling significantly increased with excruciating distress after her fourth pregnancy six months ago. The development of a hernia during and after pregnancy is not uncommon, because hernias are caused by an increase in abdominal pressure – in this case, pressure from a baby growing inside the uterus.

 

“She was rejected treatment in her own country and was suffering with immense pain for last 6 months. The risk of incisional hernia increases considerably after each abdominal surgery. In her case she has had multiple pregnancies and 4 repeat C-sections, making her abdominal walls very weak and prone to this condition.  Though the condition is remarkably common after multiple abdominal surgeries but what made it problematic was that this young lady was having cardiac pumping capacity of only 25% which in normal person should be more than 60%. She was a high risk case and a challenge for any surgical team which was managed successfully in RAK Hospital, an immediate mesh Hernioplasty was performed to repair the incisional hernia and alleviate the symptoms,” said Dr. Parvez Ahmad, Specialist Surgeon, RAK Hospital.

 

“A person who gains significant weight after an abdominal surgery, becomes pregnant or participates in activities that increase abdominal pressure like heavy lifting is most at risk for an incisional hernia. The incision is weakest, and most prone to a hernia, while it is still healing. While incisional hernias can develop or enlarge months or years after surgery, they are most likely to happen 3-6 months after surgery. Incisional hernias develop in 15% of cases after abdominal surgery.

 

“The incidence depends on a number of factors including old age, sex, obesity, bowel surgery, suture type, chest infection, abdominal distension and wound infection. 90% of incisional hernias occur within 3 years of operation. Repair of large abdominal incisional hernias is a difficult surgical problem with recurrence being a common complication. It is not only a female problem, but both the sexes should be aware that anybody who has had one or many abdominal surgeries is at risk of developing an incisional hernia”, added Dr. Anup Panigrahi, HOD of Minimal Invasive Surgery Department at RAK Hospital.

 

Incisional Hernia: 

Incisional hernia in the abdomen is due to weakness of the wall of the surgical scar and leads to protrusion of the intestine.

 

Symptoms:  The two most common symptoms of Incisional hernias are discomfort and a bulge. The bulge of an incisional hernia is located in the incision itself. Incisional hernias are usually associated with:

·         A burning sensation

·         A pressure or fullness

·         An ache or constant pain at the site of the hernia

·          Awareness that something is present in the incision that should not be there

 

How to avoid incisional hernia after C-section: An incisional hernia after a c-section is a fairly common complication, but the chances of getting one can typically be lowered by following a few tips.

 

·         Avoiding putting strain on the incision area is important in preventing a hernia, refrain from lifting heavy items for about two months after the c-section, as straining the abdominal muscles  during this time is not a good idea. 

Losing weight as quickly as possible can help reduce strain on the incision. Finally, a good diet and regular exercise will not only typically help in losing weight, but will also reduce bloating and excess pressure on the incision.

 

·         Stick to a diet that is low in salt and high in fiber as this will prevent bloating and the constipation that often causes it.

 

·         Drinking plenty of fluids

 

When Is Incisional Hernia Surgery Necessary?

 

An Incisional hernia may require surgery if:

 

·         It continues to enlarge over time

·         It is very large

·         It is cosmetically unappealing

·         The bulge remains even when the patient is relaxed or lying down

·         The hernia causes  pain