A ventral hernia, also referred to as an incisional hernia, results when a surgical incision through the abdomen does not completely heal, and weakness at the site of the surgical scar results in a bulging of the area or in extreme cases, a reopening of the incision. Excessive weight gain, physical activity that exerts pressure on the abdomen, pregnancy, straining during bowel movements because of constipation, severe vomiting, or chronic and intense coughing can all cause the scar tissue to thin or stretch. Because the abdominal wall is weak, a hernia generally occurs during abdominal strain.
Ventral hernias are the second most common type of hernia after inguinal hernias.
Ventral hernias are typically repaired through open or laparoscopic tension-free surgical methods that utilize synthetic or biologic prosthetic meshes.