Eventration: what it is, causes, symptoms and treatments

An eventration is a type of hernia that occurs when part of the abdominal organs protrudes through a weakened area of the abdominal wall, often as a consequence of previous surgery. This protrusion happens because the healing of the surgical site was inadequate, leaving a weakness in the abdominal muscles.

Common causes include infection of the surgical wound, increased abdominal pressure from obesity, chronic coughing, or physical exertion, as well as poor healing in patients with risk factors such as diabetes or smoking.

Symptoms can include a bulge in the area of the surgical scar that may enlarge when coughing or exerting oneself. Other symptoms include discomfort, tightness, or abdominal pain. Some patients may not experience symptoms until the eventration becomes complicated.

Serious complications include incarceration, where part of the intestine gets trapped, leading to severe pain, bowel obstruction, or tissue necrosis. These complications require urgent surgical intervention.

The treatment of eventration is surgical, with two main techniques: open surgery or laparoscopy. Open surgery involves directly accessing the affected area through an incision, while laparoscopy is performed through small incisions using a camera. Both techniques have advantages, and the surgeon, after evaluating the patient’s individual case, will decide the best approach to ensure a safe and effective recovery.