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Diagnosing Ventral Hernia?

I know I have diastasis recti but what is the best method to diagnosis ventral hernia? What test should a doctor perform?

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17 Doctor Answers | Asked by Mr. Glass in San Diego, CA

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Ventral hernia

I can usually diagnose these ventral hernias on physical exam by having the patient stand up and strain. There is usually a palpable edge to the tear in the fascia and I can feel the bulge of the hernia. It often falls back in when the patient is supine. I have done a zillion abdominoplasties and true hernias are quite rare. More common in a really, really thinned out fascial layer, sometimes paper thin, but no true hernia sac to reduce. This may seem a moot... more

Hernia vs rectus diastasis

A physical exam can usually differentiate a rectus diastasis from a hernia but in some cases, it is hard to tell. An ultrasound is one easy way to evaluate the abdominal wall. A CT scan may also be done but does involve radiation exposure (more of a concern in a woman of childbearing age and less so in a man). If you are asking this to see if insurance will cover the repair, then documentation of a hernia may be needed. If you are going to have an abdominoplasty anyway, then you... more

How to diagnose a ventral hernia

In our practice, we perform tummy tucks in patients of all shapes, sizes, and walks of life. Many of our patients have a separation between their abdominal muscles or even a ventral hernia. During the initial consultation, we carefully examine the abdominal wall of every patient to look for separations, weaknesses, or defects in the abdominal wall such as a hernia. If the patient has a large hernia or if this hernia has recurred, it may be necessary to obtain the advice of a general... more

Ventral hernia versus a rectus muscle diastasis

A hernia is a true defect of the abdominal wall typically with very discreet edges often associated with an incision. The diastasis is more broad based.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Ventral hernia, diastasis recti

This is a separation of the muscles of the tummy usually after pregancy that causes a bulging in the lower tummy usually. It is repaired during a tummy tuck but can also be helpeed with the Tupler method. Watch my videos.

Ventral Hernia Workup

If you are looking to undergo a body contouring procedure (tummy tuck or body lift) in combination with a ventral hernia repair, your plastic surgeon can often detect a sizeable hernia on physical exam. If you have a very thick abdominal wall, a CT scan may help determine the presence, size, and location of the hernia. However, It is not uncommon to encounter a small (<5 cm) ventral hernia during a tummy tuck or body contouring procedure. This can be safely repaired... more

Do you have symptoms of a hernia?

A hernia is a defect in the abdominal wall that allows passage of the contents of the abdomen to pass. If bowel or omental fat get in the hernia it can cause pain. If the contents of the hernia do not go back in they can lose their blood supply and cause a surgical emergency. Frequently defects in the abdominal wall are repaired at the time of abdominoplasty. It is very common in body contouring after massive weight loss. Insurance will not cover your abdominoplasty because... more

Ventral hernia diagnosis

Usually the best way to diagnose a ventral hernia is by physical exam. Sometimes the physical exam does not pick it up, and you may want to consider a CT scan or MRI.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

How to diagnose a ventral hernia.

Thank you for the question. A ventral hernia diagnosis is fairly straightforward and in most instances can be made quite easily on clinical examination. If you are significantly over weight or have a past history history of multiple abdominal surgeries, a CT Scan may be indicated to better delineate your anatomy. Regards, Glenn Vallecillos, MD, FACS

What is the best method to diagnosis ventral hernia?

Regarding: "Diagnosing Ventral Hernia? I know I have diastasis recti but what is the best method to diagnosis ventral hernia? What test should a doctor perform?" A Ventral Hernia is a full thickness defect through the abdominal wall through which one or more contents of the abdomen are exiting the abdominal cavity. In most people, this is best diagnosed by a physical examination best conducted by either a General Surgeon or Plastic Surgeon. The vast majority of Plastic... more

Clinical Examination Is Essential

In most cases, it is relatively straight forward to differentiate between a diastasis and a true hernia based on physical examination. Exceptions are patients who are significantly overweight or have had multiple prior surgeries. In those cases a CT scan is the best way to identify a ventral hernia.

Diagnosing Ventral Hernia?

Ventral hernias are first diagnosed by physical examination. Than a scan or MRI is used to verify this diagnosis. Hope this aids you. From MIAMI Dr. Darryl J. Blinski

Diagnosing a Ventral Hernia

Usually hernias can be diagnosed on physical exam. In heavier patients, or those with prior abdominal surgeries I will often obtain a CT scan of the abdomen as a "roadmap" for surgery and also to define the extent of the defect and reveal any other areas of weakness that may also exist.

Testing for a ventral hernia before tummy tuck

Diastasis of the abdominal muscles is a very common finding and easy to feel on examination. All the normal layers of the abdominal wall are present and a diastasis is not a hernia. A ventral hernia is an opening in the muscle or the covering layer called fascia which can also be felt on an examination of abdomen. If there is a doubt as to whether a hernia is present, an CT scan, or an MRI scan will clear matters up and help your surgeon prepare. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd more

Rectus diastasis vs. ventral hernia - what's the difference?

A rectus diastasis is simply separation of the rectus abdominis muscles away from the midline- the 'bridge' between the two muscle bundles is a thin band of connective tissue which can bulge. This is not a true hernia, since there is no 'hole' in the connective tissue of the abdominal wall. Such a hole can allow abdominal contents (fat, bowel etc) and to enter- this is a hernia sac. The contents of a hernia sac can be entrapped, strangulated, or can just progressively... more

Ventral Hernia

Mr. Glass The best way to diagnose a ventral hernia is through physical exam. The surgeon can feel the edges of the ventral fascial defect. Another way to make this diagnosis is through a CT or MRI scan of the abdomen - demonstrating a herniaton of abdominal contents through the ventral fascia.

VENTRAL HERNIA DIAGNOSIS

A true hernia is essentially an anatomical diagnosis made predominantly by physical exam. Your surgeon should be trained in distinguishing a diastasis (separation) from a hernia (fascial defect). Usually he/she can feels an edge to the fascia around the area of weakness.