Surgery Overview

GENERAL INFORMATION
 

• Examine the diaphragm and check the heart’s condition in all patients with cranial abdominal hernias.
• Examine patients with congenital hernias for other congenital defects.
• Explore the abdomen before closing umbilical hernias to investigate intestine viability.
• Minimize the chance of fistulas by avoiding non-absorbable sutures in infected wounds. (i.e., traumatic body wall hernias).
• Recommend spaying/neutering pets with congenital hernias.

MOST COMMON COMPLICATIONS AND DIFFICULTY
 

• Closing inguinal hernias too tightly, constricting the epigastric vessels.
• Placing sutures in muscle only, without a good fascial holding layer.
• Dehiscence may occur if the defect is large and there is tension placed on the sutures. Local tissues or muscle flaps are preferable to implants where tension is present. Consider using synthetic mesh if tension cannot be dealt with local tissues.

 
Inguinal hernia repair.  Bluntly dissect beneath mammary tissue and identify the hernial sac and ring.  If necessary, incise the hernial sac.  Reduce the hernial contents and amputate the base of the sac.  Close the sac and the inguinal ring.