Burst abdomen and incisional hernia occur as a result of a weakened or damaged surgical wound site on the abdomen. A burst abdomen is an acute surgical wound failure, whereas an incisional hernia is a chronic surgical wound failure.
Both the burst abdomen and incisional hernia cases cause the contents of the abdomen to protrude through the wound’s opening, and both require surgical intervention to prevent fatal consequences.
A burst abdomen is characterized by the literal opening of the incision. An incisional hernia is characterized by a tender bulge at or near the area of the surgical incision.
The feeling of pain or discomfort at the site of the surgical incision indicates either the possibility of a burst abdomen or an incisional hernia.
What is a Burst Abdomen?
A burst abdomen is also called Abdominal Wall Dehiscence (AWD). If you feel intense pain or discomfort in the area of the abdominal surgical incision accompanied by the feeling of tissue tearing, it is a burst abdomen scenario.
A burst abdomen may be a superficial tear of the skin with blood oozing out of the wound, or it could be severe by the incision exposing the contents of the abdomen.
A burst abdomen requires immediate medical treatment as it can get complicated over time.
What is an Incisional Hernia?
An incisional hernia occurs when the contents of the abdomen such as the omentum or part of the bowel, protrude through the weak spot of the surgical incision on the abdominal wall.
An incisional hernia is characterized by a tender bulge on the abdomen. The bulge is called the hernia sac, where the protruding contents of the abdomen lie.
An incisional hernia can be managed without surgery if it is asymptomatic. But it can grow complicated and cause obstruction, incarceration, or strangulation. So, a timely intervention of an incisional hernia treatment is highly recommended.
Causes of a Burst Abdomen
A burst abdomen is caused by an unhealed incision wound on the abdomen. The incision wound would not heal due to reasons such as:
- Improper closing of the abdominal incision
- Surgical wound infection
- Ischemia
- Increased abdominal pressure
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Malnutrition, etc.
Causes of an Incisional Hernia
An incisional hernia on the abdomen occurs due to reasons such as
- Weak abdominal wall
- Improper closing of the surgical incision
- Diabetes or renal diseases
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Strenuous physical activities that pressurize the abdomen wall, etc.
Symptoms of a Burst Abdomen
The symptoms of a burst abdomen include
- Discharge of blood or serum from the surgical wound
- Pain in the belly
- Felling of the wound tearing or ripping
- Low blood pressure, etc.
Symptoms of an Incisional Hernia
The symptoms of an incisional hernia include
- Pain or discomfort at or near the area of the incision scar
- A tender bulge at the site of the incision
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Fever
- Diarrhea, etc.
Treatment for a Burst Abdomen
A burst abdomen is sutured to prevent the discharge of blood through the incision. It corrects the fascial dehiscence.
The kind of suturing and the surgical technique to be employed depends upon the condition of the burst abdomen on diagnosis and the prescription of the surgeon.
Treatment for an Incisional Hernia
The treatment for an incisional hernia is based on the severity of the incisional hernia. Both minimally invasive and open surgeries are employed to treat an incisional hernia.
Asymptomatic incisional hernia can turn symptomatic over time. It is therefore good to treat the incisional hernia through elective or planned surgery as soon as possible.
Conclusion
Advanced surgical techniques are available today to treat a burst abdomen or an incisional hernia.
A burst abdomen and an incisional hernia can get complicated at times. So, if you are diagnosed with a burst abdomen or an incisional hernia scenario and are in a dilemma about whether or not to take up surgery, consult a hernia specialist to know the severity of your ailment and the need to treat it.
Living with a discomforting abdominal wall can hinder your everyday routine. So, take up an appropriate treatment to address a burst abdomen or an incisional hernia.
To know more about burst abdomen and incisional hernia and the treatments available to treat them, contact a hernia specialist.
