Ventral Hernias

What Is a Ventral Hernia?

A ventral hernia is a defect or gap in the abdominal wall muscles that allows tissue — often fat or intestine — to bulge through. These most commonly occur:

  • At a prior surgical incision (incisional hernia)
  • Near the belly button (umbilical hernia)
  • In the midline of the abdomen where muscles naturally join (epigastric hernia)

Ventral hernias often grow over time, causing discomfort, bulging, or functional limitations.

Why Is It Important to Treat a Ventral Hernia Early?

While some small ventral hernias can be safely monitored, most will gradually enlarge. Over time, there is a risk that tissue becomes trapped (incarcerated) in the hernia. If blood flow is cut off (strangulation), it becomes an emergency that may require bowel resection.

Early, planned repair is usually:

  • Safer and less complex
  • Associated with shorter recovery
  • Less likely to require hospitalization or emergency surgery

How Are Ventral Hernias Repaired?

At Brown University Health, our abdominal wall surgeons specialize in advanced ventral hernia reconstruction. We offer the full spectrum of techniques, including:

  • Retro-rectus (Rives–Stoppa) repair – the gold standard for strength and durability, placing mesh behind the abdominal muscles
  • Robotic or laparoscopic eTEP approaches – using small incisions for faster recovery and lower wound complication rates
  • Transversus Abdominis Release (TAR) – for very large or complex defects to restore abdominal wall function
  • Open reconstruction – when needed for highly complex or recurrent hernias

All repairs are individualized to the patient, taking into account hernia size, location, prior surgeries, and personal health needs.

What to Know About Mesh

Most ventral hernias require mesh reinforcement for a durable repair. At our center:

  • We use modern, lightweight mesh designed for long-term safety and comfort
  • Mesh is placed in a protected plane behind the muscle, away from the bowel
  • Complications such as infection or chronic pain are uncommon and actively monitored
  • Your surgeon will review mesh type, placement, and answer all questions before surgery

What to Expect After Ventral Hernia Surgery

After ventral hernia surgery:

  • Most minimally invasive repairs are outpatient or require a single overnight stay
  • Pain is managed with modern multimodal pain control protocols
  • Light activity is encouraged early, but heavy lifting is avoided for several weeks
  • Follow-up visits ensure proper healing and long-term success

What Are the Benefits of Ventral Hernia Surgery at Brown Health?

Brown Health offers expert, personalized ventral hernia care backed by advanced techniques and a commitment to long-term outcomes:

  • Expertise: Fellowship-trained MIS abdominal wall surgeons and one of the nation’s few designated abdominal wall fellowship programs
  • Advanced technology: Robotic and minimally invasive platforms for precision repairs
  • Lower complications: Protocols to minimize infection and recurrence rates
  • Faster recovery: Many patients return to daily activities within weeks
  • Collaborative care: Nutrition, physical therapy, and long-term follow-up to optimize results
General and Gastrointestinal Surgery