Would all abdominal hernias be discovered/repaired during a tummy tuck if there was no previous knowledge of one present?

Question

Is it possible to have an epigastric hernia or another type of hernia, have a full tummy tuck, and not have the hernia discovered or repaired? Thanks for any input.

Roxanne Sylora, MD · Answer

It's certainly possible to find hernias during tummy tuck surgery, but it's possible for a hernia to go undetected.  It depends where the hernia is located, and what portion of the abdominal wall is visualized during the surgery.  There are different techniques to tummy tucks, and not all of them directly visualize the same amount of muscle wall.  Many of the visualized hernias are repaired with the plication of the muscle and rarely need additional reinforcement, but this is a judgement to be determined at the time of surgery.  Also, not all tummy tucks inlcude a muscle repair/plication.  Be sure to be fully informed by your surgeon as to what is included with your surgery.  Surgeons have some variations between what they do for their particular surgeries; that's why price is not always the best method to compare surgeons.

John Paletta, MD · Answer

Yes it is possible to discover an undiagnosed hernia. If it is found it should be repaired when possible. I also believe that there maybe an unknown hernia that is not identified with a tummy tuck, particularly when a tummy tuck is performed with liposuction. I hope this helps.

Deborah Sillins, MD · Answer

It is common to find small hernias at the time of a tummy tuck and these would be repaired at that time.

Jocelyn E. Leveque, MD · Answer

Yes. In the course of a tummy tuck the abdominal wall is fully visualized. A hernia is a defect in that wall and should be easily seen. I as well as most surgeons would repair the hernia even if it wasn't identified prior to the procedure.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  If the hernia is within the area of dissection required of a full tummy tuck, the hernia should be identifiable. Hope that this helps.

Nana N. Mizuguchi, MD, FACS · Answer

Occasionally, undiagnosed hernias can be discovered during surgery.  When they are, they are usually minor and will be repaired during surgery.Best Wises,nana Mizuguchi

Badar Jan, MD · Answer

An important question. There are several different techniques for performing a tummy tuck, limited undermining, mini tummy tuck , full tummy tuck. Also hernias can occurs throughout the abdominal wall although midline a hernia are most common. If the hernia was in an area where the skin was elevated it would be discovered.  Every time I perform a full tummy tuck I would have the opportunity to correct a midline hernia if present , however this would not necessarily be the case if I were performing a mini tummy tuck. Take care

E. Ronald Finger, MD · Answer

It is possible to find a hernia or weakness in the abdominal wall during a TT. In the full-figured patients it is often difficult to feel a minor hernia or defect before surgery is if is small. It is also the routine to repair such a defect if it is found during the procedure. These are usually repaired with a rectus diastatis repair (suturing the rectus muscle fasciae together).However, if the hernia is around the umbilicus, extra measures are taken to assure an adequate repair.

John J. Obi, MD · Answer

Thank you for your inquiry.  In the course of an abdominal lipectomy or tummy tuck your surgeon has the opportunity to visualize the abdominal wall and to evaluate its integrity.  If there is an area of weakness or even a frank hernia, it is easily repaired at that time.  It is possible to discover areas that need reinforcement at the time of surgery that were not noticed pre-operatively, especially in the fuller figured patient.Again, the good news is that these areas can be effectively treated at the time of the tummy tuck.John J Obi,MD

Peter E. Johnson, MD · Answer

I t can be common to discover small hernias during a tummy tuck. Areas we see them are around the BB and through prior abdominal incisions such as a C-section scar. Repair is the routine at the time of your  TT procedure.

Would all abdominal hernias be discovered/repaired during a tummy tuck if there was no previous knowledge of one present?

Answers (19)

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