What Is a Ventral Hernia Repair?
A ventral hernia is a tissue defect that develops at a location where a surgical incision has been previously made. In a ventral hernia repair procedure, this surgical hernia is repaired, and the weakened tissue is strengthened with surgical techniques. Ventral hernia repair is also known as incision hernia repair, because the hernia develops at the site of a previous surgical incision. Ventral hernia typically develops in the wall of the abdomen but also can occur in the groin or any location where a surgical incision is present. At the site of a previous surgical incision, muscles tend to be weaker than normal, and this weakness can lead to a tear or bulge in the muscle. When this occurs, part of an organ, such as the intestine or bowel, can protrude through the tear in the muscle. This protrusion is called a hernia.
