K43.2: Incisional hernia without obstruction or gangrene

You have an incisional hernia.

The abdominal wall is the front part of the abdomen. The abdominal wall is made up of various layers. From the outermost to the innermost, the layers are: the skin, the fatty tissue, the muscles and various connective tissue layers. The abdominal wall is very solid. The organs thus remain in the abdomen even at high pressure. During abdominal surgery, the abdominal wall sometimes has to be severed. The surgical scar is not as hard as the natural abdominal wall.

In your case, the weak point on the scar has intensified. This is also called a hernia. As a result, the intestines may be squeezed through the muscles and connective tissue. In the process, the intestines always remain covered by fatty tissue and the skin. A protrusion on the scar may then be formed. The protrusion is particularly visible when pressure in the abdomen is high. That may occur for instance during coughing or squeezing. Pressure in the abdomen also increases with heavy lifting.

Due to the incisional hernia, you may have burning pain on your scar.

If the weak point is especially small, the intestines may jam in the gap. The blood supply may then be cut off. In that case, the intestines are no longer properly supplied with blood and can thus be damaged. If this condition lasts too long, the intestines may necrotize. But the incisional hernia will also often cause no symptoms.