A hernia with chronic wound issues refers to a hernia that occurs alongside a long-standing, non-healing wound, usually at or near a prior surgical site.
This is most commonly seen with incisional hernias, where the surgical incision didn’t heal properly and remains open, inflamed, or repeatedly infected.
Why this happens
Several factors can contribute to both the hernia and poor wound healing:
- Infection after surgery
- Poor blood supply to the area
- Obesity or diabetes
- Smoking
- Multiple prior surgeries
- Tension on the incision or weakened tissue
Symptoms
- A visible bulge (hernia) near a wound or scar
- Persistent drainage or open areas of skin
- Redness, swelling, or irritation
- Pain or discomfort
- Difficulty keeping the area clean and healed
