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Healing from a hernia surgery goes beyond waiting for the incision to heal; the body has to create new and stronger scar tissue to strengthen the area of weakness. This scar tissue has an important role to play in the durability of the hernia repair and in minimizing the risk of a further recurrence at the site. In this article, we will go deeper into the details on how scar tissue plays a part in hernia healing process, why it is crucial and some tips on how to enhance the formation of healthy scar tissue during the healing process.
This is a type of tissue that develops in the body as a result of an injury that has healed. The body immediately reacts to an injury, a cut made during surgery or a tear by sending collagen, a protein that is used to seal the area. This collagen is arranged in thick fibrous tissue called scar tissue which aids in the healing process of the wound by closing the area of injury. Scar tissue is not as elastic or strong as normal tissue but it is helpful for creating a stable base over the area that has been compromised.
In hernia repair particularly, the formation of scar tissue is important since this is what contributes to the strengthening of the area of weakness. The tissue that is formed after the surgery of hernia repair is slightly different from the normal tissue of the body since it is mainly composed of densely packed collagen fibers. This gives it a stronger but more rigid structure that is well suited to reinforcement of surgical sutures especially in areas where there has been a herniation.
While scar tissue formation in hernia repair is desirable and necessary, it may also be complicated. When the surgeon closes the hernia, a part of the body is left with an opening that has to be strengthened to bear the everyday stresses and strains. Tissue remodeling is a process, which starts after surgery and the body tries to knit the affected area by developing new fibers that span across the repair site. Scar tissue that has been formed replaces the damaged tissue as a natural graft and offers the repaired area strength and sturdiness.
As days go by, the scar tissue developed becomes part of the surgical repair of the hernia. Being attached to the original tissue it relieves pressure on the hernia repair site and makes it stronger to withstand pressure from the act of bending or lifting or even sneezing. If there was inadequate formation of the scar tissue then the area that was operated on could still be at risk and thus increase the likelihood of getting another hernia in that particular area.
Healthy scar tissue development is critical to achieving a non-problematic and long-term hernia repair. Here are some tips to support your body’s natural healing process and encourage the development of resilient scar tissue:
The following steps will help create a good scar tissue and will help the body to heal well after the hernia repair surgery.
Fibrous scar tissue is vital for hernia repair because it contributes to the strength of the area that has been repaired and minimizes the possibility of a recurrence. Knowledge about it may enable the patient to embrace the body healing process and thus improve on the decision making process that they make regarding their body after surgery. By following some of the recommendations for enhancing healthy scarring, the patient can aid the body’s healing process and end up with a stronger tissue repair.
For more information regarding hernia recovery and treatment, go to GEM Hospital and schedule an appointment with our experts. It is therefore important to take early actions in your care to facilitate a good recovery and long term outcome.
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