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What Causes Abdominal Numbness After Hernia Repair?
Question: August 2014 after being diagnosed with an incarcerate umbilical hernia I underwent laparoscopic surgery where the doctor also performed an omentectomy. He made a 10mm incision in the upper right side of my abdomen, two more 5mm, one in the lower right and one on the left.
The Omentum was pulled down and divided with a scalpel into two prices and removed. A 4.5 inch piece of composite mesh was inserted, which was anchored to a non absorbable tacker. At 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock XXXXXXX T were placed. And another at the 10mm site. He injected Subcutaneous tissue with 20mL of 0.5% Marcaine and Epinepherine.
Following the surgery, after returning home I found myself still experiencing quite a lot more pain but it seemed to be more internal because I soon realized I no longer had any external feeling in my abdomen.
I had to go in for another surgery and my oncologist recommended I undergo revision surgery for the hernia because the mesh had migrated and there was infection setting in. But still have no feeling.
That is what my question is in regards to. Why is there no sense of touch? If I have an itch, I can feel it or I know it's there but when I go to scratch there is nothing! I used to be very ticklish now, nothing. Following the revision surgery my doctor removed all the staples without any anesthetic. Is that common? Will the feeling ever return?
Thanks for your time.
The Omentum was pulled down and divided with a scalpel into two prices and removed. A 4.5 inch piece of composite mesh was inserted, which was anchored to a non absorbable tacker. At 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock XXXXXXX T were placed. And another at the 10mm site. He injected Subcutaneous tissue with 20mL of 0.5% Marcaine and Epinepherine.
Following the surgery, after returning home I found myself still experiencing quite a lot more pain but it seemed to be more internal because I soon realized I no longer had any external feeling in my abdomen.
I had to go in for another surgery and my oncologist recommended I undergo revision surgery for the hernia because the mesh had migrated and there was infection setting in. But still have no feeling.
That is what my question is in regards to. Why is there no sense of touch? If I have an itch, I can feel it or I know it's there but when I go to scratch there is nothing! I used to be very ticklish now, nothing. Following the revision surgery my doctor removed all the staples without any anesthetic. Is that common? Will the feeling ever return?
Thanks for your time.
Brief Answer:
As discussed in details below.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
Read the history carefully and understood your concerns.
Noted the history of Lap Surgery for incarcerated umbilical hernia with an elucidate description you have provided and of the feeling you had after returning home.
The revision surgery consisted of removing all the non-absorbable staples without anesthetic have questions.
As for your questions:
Why is there no sense of touch? If I have an itch, I can feel it or I know it's there but when I go to scratch there is nothing! I used to be very ticklish now, nothing.
> The reason being: the sensory nerves are either got pierced through by the stapler or got entrapped into the fibrosis to the extent of loosing the integrity. Hence there is no sensation of touch. It is difficult to predict how much permanent effect the Marcaine with Epinephrine might have causes as it is usually fully reversible to normal.
Is that common?
> Although not very common but this is one sequel seen after major open abdominal surgeries and also seen in Abdominoplasty.
Some patients get neuralgia, that is pain and that you have not developed this fortunately.
Will the feeling ever return?
> Since you were operated in August 2014, it is almost more than two and quarter years and I do not expect any recovery after such a long time.
I hope this answers your query, please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication
As discussed in details below.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
Read the history carefully and understood your concerns.
Noted the history of Lap Surgery for incarcerated umbilical hernia with an elucidate description you have provided and of the feeling you had after returning home.
The revision surgery consisted of removing all the non-absorbable staples without anesthetic have questions.
As for your questions:
Why is there no sense of touch? If I have an itch, I can feel it or I know it's there but when I go to scratch there is nothing! I used to be very ticklish now, nothing.
> The reason being: the sensory nerves are either got pierced through by the stapler or got entrapped into the fibrosis to the extent of loosing the integrity. Hence there is no sensation of touch. It is difficult to predict how much permanent effect the Marcaine with Epinephrine might have causes as it is usually fully reversible to normal.
Is that common?
> Although not very common but this is one sequel seen after major open abdominal surgeries and also seen in Abdominoplasty.
Some patients get neuralgia, that is pain and that you have not developed this fortunately.
Will the feeling ever return?
> Since you were operated in August 2014, it is almost more than two and quarter years and I do not expect any recovery after such a long time.
I hope this answers your query, please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I do get sharp, almost like stabbing pains from time to time, in my abdomen. And sometimes, and without checking (because I'm afraid to) it feels like the hernia is back. Then I finally do look and it's not. But the feeling sure felt real!
Brief Answer:
As discussed in details below.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your feedback.
Noted the additional history and understood your concerns, I do understand the fear of getting diagnosed hence avoidance - this happens with everyone.
But why not - why not to get this checked by clinical evaluation and examination by a General Surgeon and get investigated to confirm or to rule out?
This will help to reduce the stress and anxiety which has a direct bearing on any sort of pains in the body and abdomen as in your case.
You must have observed that on the days with no stress and anxiety the intensity of the symptoms is also reduced well.
So let it be done to know the exact position at the moment.
I hope you agree with me...
As discussed in details below.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your feedback.
Noted the additional history and understood your concerns, I do understand the fear of getting diagnosed hence avoidance - this happens with everyone.
But why not - why not to get this checked by clinical evaluation and examination by a General Surgeon and get investigated to confirm or to rule out?
This will help to reduce the stress and anxiety which has a direct bearing on any sort of pains in the body and abdomen as in your case.
You must have observed that on the days with no stress and anxiety the intensity of the symptoms is also reduced well.
So let it be done to know the exact position at the moment.
I hope you agree with me...
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar
I think maybe you misunderstood, Any nonabsorbable anchors etc. and the Bard Composite mesh that was used in the laparoscopic surgery, were removed during the hernia revision/hysterectomy, the ladder due to a 10cm ovarian tumor and fibroids discovered during August 2014 hernia surgery.
The staples I spoke of were used to close the incision. Then, weeks later when I went in fo my follow up my doctor removed the staples and I couldn't feel it.
But the feeling had been gone since the first laparoscopy.
Sorry for the misunderstanding.
Also, yes I did follow up with my primary care doctor about the pain I sometimes experience, which wasn't helpful at all. He always says "well let's give it a couple weeks and see how you feel then". He never wants to get to the problem. And I'm on Medicaid so I don't have much choice.
The staples I spoke of were used to close the incision. Then, weeks later when I went in fo my follow up my doctor removed the staples and I couldn't feel it.
But the feeling had been gone since the first laparoscopy.
Sorry for the misunderstanding.
Also, yes I did follow up with my primary care doctor about the pain I sometimes experience, which wasn't helpful at all. He always says "well let's give it a couple weeks and see how you feel then". He never wants to get to the problem. And I'm on Medicaid so I don't have much choice.
Brief Answer:
As detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Just a bit of it, no misunderstanding now.
It is good to know that the non-absorbable were removed.
Understood that you talked about the skin staples. These are small, not much piercing and do not cause any pains during its stay or on removal.
You can request for a trial of medicines like Gabapentin or Amitriptyline to help ease the neurogenic pains one develops after such extensive surgeries.
Supplements for nerve regeneration, pain, repair sometimes helps. Please talk to your Pharmacy as to which are available as OTC - over the counter.
I hope this answer helps you further.
As detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Just a bit of it, no misunderstanding now.
It is good to know that the non-absorbable were removed.
Understood that you talked about the skin staples. These are small, not much piercing and do not cause any pains during its stay or on removal.
You can request for a trial of medicines like Gabapentin or Amitriptyline to help ease the neurogenic pains one develops after such extensive surgeries.
Supplements for nerve regeneration, pain, repair sometimes helps. Please talk to your Pharmacy as to which are available as OTC - over the counter.
I hope this answer helps you further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you so much for your response to my concerns. I just have one more, with regards to laparoscopic hernia repair surgery, and more to the point, encarcerated umbilical hernia repair.
For patients suffering with a hernia such as this, that have undergone the same procedure, is it common for themto have issues such as mine i.e. (I have 3 questions) 1) for the composit mesh to migrate, 2) suffer internal infection at the site where the mesh was supposed to be secured and 3) to have to undergo a second more invasive surgery in order to have the devices used previously removed and all infected material removed also?
For patients suffering with a hernia such as this, that have undergone the same procedure, is it common for themto have issues such as mine i.e. (I have 3 questions) 1) for the composit mesh to migrate, 2) suffer internal infection at the site where the mesh was supposed to be secured and 3) to have to undergo a second more invasive surgery in order to have the devices used previously removed and all infected material removed also?
Brief Answer:
As detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your appreciation.
All the three complications in umbilical hernia repair by laparoscopic method are known to occur but are not common.
Composite mesh can migrate
Infection is always by chance as all the meticulous care is taken for mot allowing the infection to occur.
Second more invasive surgery along with removal of the devices is very rare as is least required.
As detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your appreciation.
All the three complications in umbilical hernia repair by laparoscopic method are known to occur but are not common.
Composite mesh can migrate
Infection is always by chance as all the meticulous care is taken for mot allowing the infection to occur.
Second more invasive surgery along with removal of the devices is very rare as is least required.
Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
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