Ventral Hernia
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 2, 2025.
A ventral hernia is a bulge through a weak area in the abdominal wall. The abdominal wall is made of fat and muscle and holds the organs in place. The hernia may contain abdominal tissue, part of an organ (such as the intestine), or fluid. The types of ventral hernias are epigastric, umbilical, spigelian, and incisional.
WHILE YOU ARE HERE:
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Medicines:
- Antinausea medicine may be given to prevent or treat nausea.
- Pain medicine may be given. Do not wait until the pain is severe to ask for more medicine. The medicine may not work as well at controlling your pain if you wait too long to take it. Pain medicine can make you dizzy or sleepy. Prevent falls by calling for help when you want to get out of bed.
- Sedative medicine may be given to help you relax. You may need this medicine before your healthcare provider manually reduces your hernia.
- Antibiotics help prevent a bacterial infection. You may be given antibiotics before you have surgery to fix your hernia.
- IV fluids may be given to treat or prevent dehydration.
Tests:
- Ultrasound, CT, or MRI pictures may show a blockage in the intestines or reduced blood flow to your organs. The imaging tests will also help your provider plan your treatment. You may be given contrast liquid to help the organs show up better in the pictures. Tell the healthcare provider if you have ever had an allergic reaction to contrast liquid. The MRI machine uses a powerful magnet. Do not enter the MRI room with anything metal. Metal can cause serious injury from the magnet. Tell a healthcare provider if you have any metal in or on your body.
- Blood and urine tests may be used to check your overall health, kidney function, or find signs of an infection.
Treatment:
- A nasogastric (NG) tube may be inserted to relieve nausea and vomiting. An NG tube is a thin tube that is inserted through your nose and into your stomach. The tube can remove fluid and air from your stomach.
- Manual reduction of the hernia may be needed. Manual reduction means your healthcare provider uses his or her hands to put firm, steady pressure on your hernia. Your provider will continue to apply pressure until the hernia disappears inside the abdominal wall. You may need to wear a belt that holds the tissue in place.
- Surgery is usually done to place the hernia back inside the abdominal wall. You may need immediate surgery if the hernia stops blood flow to any of your organs. You may also need immediate surgery if your intestines or an organ get trapped inside the hernia.
RISKS:
You may need surgery if the hernia becomes incarcerated or strangulated. Incarcerated means the hernia is trapped in an opening or pouch in the abdominal wall. The hernia cannot be pushed back inside the abdominal wall. Strangulated means that the hernia is trapped without blood or oxygen. The trapped tissue may die. If the intestines are trapped, food and fluid cannot move through your digestive system. Pressure may build up in the intestines and a hole may form. This can become life-threatening.
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