Incisional Hernias - Glossary

Incisional Hernias - Glossary

Abdominal wall - The layers of muscle and fatty tissue that surround the abdomen.

Anesthesia - A substance that prevents pain from being felt, given before an operation.

Complications - Secondary problems that can result from surgery.

Hernia - A weakness or rupture of the wall or cavity containing an organ, with the resulting protrusion of that organ or part of the organ though it.

Incision - A cut into the skin or abdominal wall.

Intra-abdominal - Inside the abdomen.

Non-reducible hernia - A hernia that cannot be flattened out by applying pressure or by lying down.

Recurrent hernia - A hernia that occurs at the same location as a previous hernia.

Reducible hernia - A hernia that can be flattened out either by applying pressure or by lying down.

Surgical Staples - U-shaped metal surgical fasteners.

Surgical Tacks - Metal surgical fasteners.

Sutures - Fine thread or other material used to surgically close a wound or join tissues.

Synthetic Mesh - A synthetic material resembling a flat, pliable thin screen, which is used to repair a hernia.