Incisional hernia (hernia in a scar)
An incisional hernia develops in the scar of a previous abdominal operation, where the abdominal wall is weakened. It shows as a bulge in the scar that grows over time and never disappears on its own. The definitive solution is surgery with mesh reinforcement of the wall, performed at our clinic by MUDr. Ivan Majeský.
- Operated by MUDr. Ivan Majeský – a surgeon with more than 20 years of experience in minimally invasive surgery
- Laparoscopic mesh repair on a day-surgery basis – home the same day
- A fast consultation appointment with no referral and no waiting lists
Bratislava – Bernolákova 9 (STEIN II)
What an incisional hernia is
Every surgical incision in the abdominal wall leaves behind a scar, which is never as strong as the original tissue. If the scar stretches under the pressure inside the abdomen, or the layers of the wall do not heal perfectly, an incisional hernia forms – a sac of the abdominal lining into which fatty tissue or part of the intestine is pushed. On the outside it is visible as a bulge in or around the scar.
An incisional hernia never heals on its own – the defect grows over time, the bulge enlarges, and both the discomfort and the risk of strangulation increase.
At our clinic we treat incisional hernias with laparoscopic mesh repair on a day-surgery basis.
Symptoms of an incisional hernia
The problems appear anywhere from a few months to years after the operation
- A bulge or lump in or around the surgical scar, more pronounced when standing and with exertion
- A dragging feeling, pressure or pain in the scar when coughing, straining or lifting heavy loads
- The bulge gets smaller when lying down or can be gently pushed back in
- Gradual enlargement of the bulge over months
- With larger hernias, a feeling of heaviness, digestive problems or a deformed abdominal wall
A smaller hernia means a simpler operation and a faster recovery. We therefore recommend having any bulge in a scar examined as soon as possible.
Causes and risk factors
- A previous abdominal operation, especially with a larger incision or complicated wound healing
- Infection of the surgical wound after the original procedure
- Excess weight and obesity – permanently increased pressure on the scar
- Chronic cough, constipation and heavy physical exertion soon after the operation
- Diabetes, smoking and other factors that impair healing
- Congenitally weaker connective tissue and older age
Diagnosis
An incisional hernia is usually detected by a clinical examination by a surgeon – inspecting and palpating the scar while standing, lying down and straining. An ultrasound examination clarifies the size of the defect and its contents and also reveals smaller hidden hernias around the scar, which matters for planning the operation.
You arrange the examination and a treatment proposal within a surgical consultation with MUDr. Ivan Majeský – no referral and no waiting. You can book on +421 948 687 667.
Treatment at our clinic
Only mesh repair resolves a hernia in a scar definitively
Laparoscopic hernia surgery
Hernia repair with mesh through small incisions away from the original scar, under general anesthesia.
Surgical consultation
Examination of the scar, assessment of the hernia size and a surgical plan with the clinic's head physician.
Day surgery
Surgery and post-operative monitoring in a single day – by the evening you are back in your own home.
When to seek help immediately
A hernia in a scar can strangulate too
- Sudden severe pain in the scar or across the whole abdomen
- The bulge has become hard, painful and cannot be pushed back into the abdomen
- Nausea and vomiting
- Inability to pass stool or wind
- Reddening or discoloration of the skin over the bulge
Frequently asked questions about incisional hernias
No. The weakened scar does not strengthen by itself, and the defect tends to grow over time. The only definitive solution is surgery, in which the abdominal wall is reinforced with mesh.
Scar tissue is weakened, and simple stitching carries a high risk of the hernia coming back. The mesh covers the defect with an overlap into healthy tissue and permanently strengthens the wall, greatly reducing the risk of recurrence.
Most often within the first year after the procedure, but it can also appear after many years. The main risk factors are complicated wound healing, infection or heavy exertion too soon.
In most cases yes – the laparoscopic approach goes through small incisions away from the original scar, and the mesh is placed from the inside. The surgeon assesses the suitability of this approach based on the size of the hernia and your previous operations.
You go home on the day of your procedure. You will manage a desk job in about one to two weeks; avoid physical exertion and lifting heavy loads for four to six weeks, as advised by the doctor.
Related topics
Laparoscopic hernia surgery
How minimally invasive hernia repair with mesh works and what its benefits are.
Umbilical hernia
A bulge around the navel – symptoms, causes and surgical options.
Inguinal hernia
The most common hernia of all – a bulge in the groin and the options for treating it.
Author and medical review: Day-surgery operations are performed by MUDr. Ivan Majeský – a surgeon focusing on minimally invasive and day surgery, with over 20 years of experience and more than 1,000 laparoscopic procedures. · Last medical review: July 2026
A bulging spot in a scar after surgery? Have it examined
Book an appointment for a surgical consultation with MUDr. Ivan Majeský – the smaller the hernia, the simpler the solution.
Bratislava: Bernolákova 9, 811 07 (STEIN II) · Mon–Fri 07:30–19:30, Sat 07:30–12:30
info@proctocare.sk
Incisional hernia (hernia in a scar)
An incisional hernia develops in the scar of a previous abdominal operation, where the abdominal wall is weakened. It shows as a bulge in the scar that grows over time and never disappears on its own. The definitive solution is surgery with mesh reinforcement of the wall, performed at our clinic by MUDr. Ivan Majeský.
- Operated by MUDr. Ivan Majeský – a surgeon with more than 20 years of experience in minimally invasive surgery
- Laparoscopic mesh repair on a day-surgery basis – home the same day
- A fast consultation appointment with no referral and no waiting lists
Bratislava – Bernolákova 9 (STEIN II)
What an incisional hernia is
Every surgical incision in the abdominal wall leaves behind a scar, which is never as strong as the original tissue. If the scar stretches under the pressure inside the abdomen, or the layers of the wall do not heal perfectly, an incisional hernia forms – a sac of the abdominal lining into which fatty tissue or part of the intestine is pushed. On the outside it is visible as a bulge in or around the scar.
An incisional hernia never heals on its own – the defect grows over time, the bulge enlarges, and both the discomfort and the risk of strangulation increase.
At our clinic we treat incisional hernias with laparoscopic mesh repair on a day-surgery basis.
Symptoms of an incisional hernia
The problems appear anywhere from a few months to years after the operation
- A bulge or lump in or around the surgical scar, more pronounced when standing and with exertion
- A dragging feeling, pressure or pain in the scar when coughing, straining or lifting heavy loads
- The bulge gets smaller when lying down or can be gently pushed back in
- Gradual enlargement of the bulge over months
- With larger hernias, a feeling of heaviness, digestive problems or a deformed abdominal wall
A smaller hernia means a simpler operation and a faster recovery. We therefore recommend having any bulge in a scar examined as soon as possible.
Causes and risk factors
- A previous abdominal operation, especially with a larger incision or complicated wound healing
- Infection of the surgical wound after the original procedure
- Excess weight and obesity – permanently increased pressure on the scar
- Chronic cough, constipation and heavy physical exertion soon after the operation
- Diabetes, smoking and other factors that impair healing
- Congenitally weaker connective tissue and older age
Diagnosis
An incisional hernia is usually detected by a clinical examination by a surgeon – inspecting and palpating the scar while standing, lying down and straining. An ultrasound examination clarifies the size of the defect and its contents and also reveals smaller hidden hernias around the scar, which matters for planning the operation.
You arrange the examination and a treatment proposal within a surgical consultation with MUDr. Ivan Majeský – no referral and no waiting. You can book on +421 948 687 667.
Treatment at our clinic
Only mesh repair resolves a hernia in a scar definitively
Laparoscopic hernia surgery
Hernia repair with mesh through small incisions away from the original scar, under general anesthesia.
Surgical consultation
Examination of the scar, assessment of the hernia size and a surgical plan with the clinic's head physician.
Day surgery
Surgery and post-operative monitoring in a single day – by the evening you are back in your own home.
When to seek help immediately
A hernia in a scar can strangulate too
- Sudden severe pain in the scar or across the whole abdomen
- The bulge has become hard, painful and cannot be pushed back into the abdomen
- Nausea and vomiting
- Inability to pass stool or wind
- Reddening or discoloration of the skin over the bulge
Frequently asked questions about incisional hernias
No. The weakened scar does not strengthen by itself, and the defect tends to grow over time. The only definitive solution is surgery, in which the abdominal wall is reinforced with mesh.
Scar tissue is weakened, and simple stitching carries a high risk of the hernia coming back. The mesh covers the defect with an overlap into healthy tissue and permanently strengthens the wall, greatly reducing the risk of recurrence.
Most often within the first year after the procedure, but it can also appear after many years. The main risk factors are complicated wound healing, infection or heavy exertion too soon.
In most cases yes – the laparoscopic approach goes through small incisions away from the original scar, and the mesh is placed from the inside. The surgeon assesses the suitability of this approach based on the size of the hernia and your previous operations.
You go home on the day of your procedure. You will manage a desk job in about one to two weeks; avoid physical exertion and lifting heavy loads for four to six weeks, as advised by the doctor.
Related topics
Laparoscopic hernia surgery
How minimally invasive hernia repair with mesh works and what its benefits are.
Umbilical hernia
A bulge around the navel – symptoms, causes and surgical options.
Inguinal hernia
The most common hernia of all – a bulge in the groin and the options for treating it.
Author and medical review: Day-surgery operations are performed by MUDr. Ivan Majeský – a surgeon focusing on minimally invasive and day surgery, with over 20 years of experience and more than 1,000 laparoscopic procedures. · Last medical review: July 2026
A bulging spot in a scar after surgery? Have it examined
Book an appointment for a surgical consultation with MUDr. Ivan Majeský – the smaller the hernia, the simpler the solution.
Bratislava: Bernolákova 9, 811 07 (STEIN II) · Mon–Fri 07:30–19:30, Sat 07:30–12:30
info@proctocare.sk
Incisional hernia (hernia in a scar)
An incisional hernia develops in the scar of a previous abdominal operation, where the abdominal wall is weakened. It shows as a bulge in the scar that grows over time and never disappears on its own. The definitive solution is surgery with mesh reinforcement of the wall, performed at our clinic by MUDr. Ivan Majeský.
- Operated by MUDr. Ivan Majeský – a surgeon with more than 20 years of experience in minimally invasive surgery
- Laparoscopic mesh repair on a day-surgery basis – home the same day
- A fast consultation appointment with no referral and no waiting lists
Bratislava – Bernolákova 9 (STEIN II)
What an incisional hernia is
Every surgical incision in the abdominal wall leaves behind a scar, which is never as strong as the original tissue. If the scar stretches under the pressure inside the abdomen, or the layers of the wall do not heal perfectly, an incisional hernia forms – a sac of the abdominal lining into which fatty tissue or part of the intestine is pushed. On the outside it is visible as a bulge in or around the scar.
An incisional hernia never heals on its own – the defect grows over time, the bulge enlarges, and both the discomfort and the risk of strangulation increase.
At our clinic we treat incisional hernias with laparoscopic mesh repair on a day-surgery basis.
Symptoms of an incisional hernia
The problems appear anywhere from a few months to years after the operation
- A bulge or lump in or around the surgical scar, more pronounced when standing and with exertion
- A dragging feeling, pressure or pain in the scar when coughing, straining or lifting heavy loads
- The bulge gets smaller when lying down or can be gently pushed back in
- Gradual enlargement of the bulge over months
- With larger hernias, a feeling of heaviness, digestive problems or a deformed abdominal wall
A smaller hernia means a simpler operation and a faster recovery. We therefore recommend having any bulge in a scar examined as soon as possible.
Causes and risk factors
- A previous abdominal operation, especially with a larger incision or complicated wound healing
- Infection of the surgical wound after the original procedure
- Excess weight and obesity – permanently increased pressure on the scar
- Chronic cough, constipation and heavy physical exertion soon after the operation
- Diabetes, smoking and other factors that impair healing
- Congenitally weaker connective tissue and older age
Diagnosis
An incisional hernia is usually detected by a clinical examination by a surgeon – inspecting and palpating the scar while standing, lying down and straining. An ultrasound examination clarifies the size of the defect and its contents and also reveals smaller hidden hernias around the scar, which matters for planning the operation.
You arrange the examination and a treatment proposal within a surgical consultation with MUDr. Ivan Majeský – no referral and no waiting. You can book on +421 948 687 667.
Treatment at our clinic
Only mesh repair resolves a hernia in a scar definitively
Laparoscopic hernia surgery
Hernia repair with mesh through small incisions away from the original scar, under general anesthesia.
Surgical consultation
Examination of the scar, assessment of the hernia size and a surgical plan with the clinic's head physician.
Day surgery
Surgery and post-operative monitoring in a single day – by the evening you are back in your own home.
When to seek help immediately
A hernia in a scar can strangulate too
- Sudden severe pain in the scar or across the whole abdomen
- The bulge has become hard, painful and cannot be pushed back into the abdomen
- Nausea and vomiting
- Inability to pass stool or wind
- Reddening or discoloration of the skin over the bulge
Frequently asked questions about incisional hernias
No. The weakened scar does not strengthen by itself, and the defect tends to grow over time. The only definitive solution is surgery, in which the abdominal wall is reinforced with mesh.
Scar tissue is weakened, and simple stitching carries a high risk of the hernia coming back. The mesh covers the defect with an overlap into healthy tissue and permanently strengthens the wall, greatly reducing the risk of recurrence.
Most often within the first year after the procedure, but it can also appear after many years. The main risk factors are complicated wound healing, infection or heavy exertion too soon.
In most cases yes – the laparoscopic approach goes through small incisions away from the original scar, and the mesh is placed from the inside. The surgeon assesses the suitability of this approach based on the size of the hernia and your previous operations.
You go home on the day of your procedure. You will manage a desk job in about one to two weeks; avoid physical exertion and lifting heavy loads for four to six weeks, as advised by the doctor.
Related topics
Laparoscopic hernia surgery
How minimally invasive hernia repair with mesh works and what its benefits are.
Umbilical hernia
A bulge around the navel – symptoms, causes and surgical options.
Inguinal hernia
The most common hernia of all – a bulge in the groin and the options for treating it.
Author and medical review: Day-surgery operations are performed by MUDr. Ivan Majeský – a surgeon focusing on minimally invasive and day surgery, with over 20 years of experience and more than 1,000 laparoscopic procedures. · Last medical review: July 2026
A bulging spot in a scar after surgery? Have it examined
Book an appointment for a surgical consultation with MUDr. Ivan Majeský – the smaller the hernia, the simpler the solution.
Bratislava: Bernolákova 9, 811 07 (STEIN II) · Mon–Fri 07:30–19:30, Sat 07:30–12:30
info@proctocare.sk