Elderly patient recovers after rare complex hernia surgery in Navi Mumbai

Incisional hernias occur when the abdominal wall weakens at the site of a previous surgical incision. Risk factors include multiple surgeries that weaken muscles over time, age‑related loss of muscle strength, delayed treatment allowing the defect to enlarge, and the absence of advanced reconstruction techniques in earlier repairs. While incisional hernias affect up to 20% of patients after abdominal surgery, giant recurrent hernias, with defects larger than 15 cm and organs displaced outside the cavity, are rare and medically significant.

A team of gastrointestinal and hernia surgeons, Dr Nitin Tawte, Dr Chirag Vaja and Dr Sarang Bajpai from the hospital performed the intricate procedure using a three‑step approach: Botox injections to relax abdominal muscles, progressive pneumoperitoneum to expand the abdominal cavity, and component separation with mesh reinforcement to rebuild the abdominal wall.

Dr Tawte said, “This was a very challenging case because the patient had already undergone multiple surgeries, and the abdominal wall defect was extremely large. Since there was also age-related loss of muscle strength and delayed treatment that allowed the defect to increase, our primary goal was to safely reposition all the organs back inside the abdomen and reconstruct the abdominal wall to provide long‑term strength and stability.”

The patient said, “I had been suffering for years and feared the swelling would never go away. I was experiencing constant discomfort, heaviness, and pain, and the condition severely affected my daily movements and independence to carry out simple activities such as walking, sitting, or standing for long periods. Life seemed extremely difficult and exhausting, and I had developed constant fear and anxiety thinking that my condition would only worsen further, especially after three failed surgeries before this which left me physically weak and emotionally distressed. After the surgery, I feel much lighter and healthier.”