Why Choose Orlando Health Complex Hernia Center
Advanced treatments
Our surgeons offer minimally invasive options when possible for repairing any type of hernia or abdominal wall reconstruction. There are many advantages to minimally invasive options including quicker recovery time so our patients can return to their normal activities.
Recognized expertise
Our surgeons have advanced experience in treating the most complex hernias, including multiple hernias, large hernia and recurring hernias.
A team approach
Our surgeons work alongside other specialists to ensure your complex hernia is repaired correctly the first time, preventing a second occurrence, and doesn’t interfere with other health related matters our patients are experiencing.
Online health portal
Our goal is to create a seamless and stress-free experience for every patient. We use the national leading electronic medical record, Epic MyChart, which allows for online messages, appointment schedule appointments, manage medications and access your medical records.
Quality outcomes
Our team is committed to quality. We review surgical techniques and protocols to ensure we are always delivering cutting edge care to our patients. Each complex hernia patient becomes part of our quality database to track outcomes. This is reviewed to regularly to verify results and identify opportunities for continual improvement as we work to advance the science and practice of complex hernia surgery.
Our Goals
We use a multidisciplinary approach to care for our patients with complex abdominal hernias
We focus on minimally invasive techniques
We educate our patients and community
We educate surgeons and physicians on gold standards in hernia care
Complex hernias are associated with higher risks of complications or recurrence and can be more difficult to treat. This is often due to factors such as age, obesity, cancer, infection, or complications from previous surgeries. Types of complex hernias include:
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Multiple recurrences. These hernias return after prior repairs, sometimes due to incomplete healing or inadequate surgical repair. With each recurrence, the likelihood of an optimal outcome decreases.
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Failed prior repairs. A hernia may be considered complex when repeated attempts to close the abdominal wall defect have been unsuccessful.
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Large hernias. If left untreated, hernias that begin as small bulges can grow significantly — sometimes measuring 10 centimeters or more — leading to digestive symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and constipation.
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Infected surgical mesh. Mesh is commonly used in hernia repair, but in some cases it can become infected, requiring advanced surgical intervention.
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Parastomal hernias. These occur in patients with a colostomy when intestinal tissue pushes through the abdominal wall near the stoma.
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Enterocutaneous fistulas. An abnormal connection may form between the stomach or intestines and the skin, most often as a complication of bowel surgery.
Complex hernias require a multidisciplinary approach to achieve the best possible outcomes. Our specialists collaborate before, during, and after surgery to reduce risk factors and support healing. This comprehensive approach helps lower the risk of recurrence and postoperative complications.
A hernia occurs when an internal organ or tissue pushes through a weak spot in the muscle or connective tissue that normally holds it in place. Hernias most commonly develop in the abdomen or groin. A hernia may be considered complex when a previous repair fails, becomes infected, or when organs — such as the appendix, ovaries, or spleen — protrude through the abdominal wall.
Common factors that can contribute to the development of complex hernias include:
- Aging
- Increased abdominal pressure following surgery
- Chronic diarrhea or constipation
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Long-term coughing, sneezing, or chronic lung conditions such as COPD
- Previous inadequate hernia repair
- Heavy lifting or repeated physical strain
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation
- Previous hernia repair
- Vomiting
- Redness, pain or hardness of the hernia
You might need abdominal reconstruction if you have a history of previously repaired hernias or have suffered abdominal trauma. Abdominal wall reconstruction also may be needed if you have a large hernia that results in abdominal deformity. These aren’t generally life threatening, but they can be very uncomfortable and damaging to quality of life. They will not go away without surgery.
Abdominal reconstruction procedures typically involve repositioning the abdominal muscles and fascia and placing surgical mesh for added support. Our highly trained specialists perform these procedures using either open or minimally invasive techniques, depending on your needs.
These procedures may take as little as two hours, but can last four hours or longer based on factors such as your age, medical conditions, the size of the hernia, and complications from previous surgeries. Most patients need to stay at least one night in the hospital following the procedure. Surgical options include:
- Robotic surgery. A minimally invasive option that can reduce scarring and postoperative pain. The surgeon uses a computer-assisted system to guide instruments inserted through small incisions.
- Laparoscopic surgery. Another minimally invasive approach that uses a camera and specialized tools inserted through small incisions. Benefits include faster recovery and fewer complications.
- Open surgery. A traditional approach that may be necessary for complex or hard-to-reach hernias.
You likely will have questions before your procedure, including:
- What is a hernia?
- What surgical approach is best for this type of hernia and why?
- What should I expect immediately after surgery?
- What should I expect in terms of pain after the procedure?
- How is pain managed?
- Is there a risk for chronic pain after the repair?
- Will there be physical limitations after surgery?
- Are there any long-term complications?
- Can my hernia be repaired without mesh?
- What are the risk and benefits of mesh?
- Are there possible complications with mesh?
- What signs and symptoms could indicate a potential complication with my repair?
- What is the rate of recurrence after repair of this type of hernia?
- How do complications and recurrence compare with a non-mesh repair?
- When should I call the surgeon?