Incisional hernia Treatment in Hernia Istanbul Clinic

Incisional hernia care at Hernia Istanbul Clinic in Beşiktaş, Istanbul, Turkey, includes imaging and several surgical approaches. The adults-only center reports a 97% success rate for incisional hernia repair. Dr. Hakan Gök, FEBS AWS, has over 25 years of experience and serves on the European Hernia Society board.

Imaging and assessment before surgery

Planning starts with an online consultation, a questionnaire, and review of previous imaging reports. A CT scan of the entire abdominal wall is required before every repair. Dr. Gök also performs an abdominal wall ultrasound, usually the day before surgery.

• Surgeon consultation: Includes a physical examination and review of the hernia.
• Abdominal wall ultrasound: Performed by the operating surgeon.
• CT scan: Covers the entire abdominal wall and is required before surgery.
• Pre-operative checks: Include blood tests and an anesthesia consultation.

Repair methods for different hernias

The surgeon selects an approach based on the defect’s size and location. Open, laparoscopic, and robotic repairs are available, alongside reconstructive procedures.

• Open incisional hernia repair: Uses an incision at the previous scar and mesh reinforcement. It may suit large defects that cannot be closed laparoscopically.
• Laparoscopic incisional hernia repair: Repairs the hernia through small incisions, using mesh. This approach may reduce postoperative pain and support an earlier return to daily activities.
• Robotic incisional hernia repair: Uses a robotic surgical platform. It is an option for complex or recurrent abdominal wall defects.
• Rives-Stoppa retromuscular repair: Places mesh behind the abdominal muscles. It is used for wide midline hernias and may include component separation.
• Progressive pneumoperitoneum (PPP): A catheter adds increasing amounts of air to the abdomen before surgery. This preparation is for giant hernias with loss of domain.
• Mesh-free suture repair: Closes the defect without an implant. The clinic notes recurrence rates over 50% for repairs without mesh.
• Combined and complex surgery: Rectus diastasis repair can be added to hernia surgery. Abdominal wall reconstruction is also available for complex, recurrent, or loss-of-domain hernias.

Hospital stay and follow-up

Patients are admitted on surgery day for tests, an anesthesia consultation, and repair. The day-surgery stay is usually under 24 hours, with discharge that day or the next.

A follow-up examination takes place two days after surgery, followed by a final check before the patient flies home. The clinic sends an operation report after discharge and offers 24/7 WhatsApp access to the surgical team during the stay. Patients can request a consultation through Bookimed.