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What Causes Hard Lump At The Incision Site Of Inguinal Hernia Repair?
Question: About a week after single inguinal hernia repair, I noticed I could feel a hard lump about half-inch long, 5 inches wide, directly under the scar, in addition to all the swollen tissue. Didn't explore the area earlier, don't know how long it had been there, but it has not shrunk over another week. Surgeon is across the country. I emailed him about this, and he replied 'The "lump" is just post-surgical swelling, which will go away in a couple of weeks.' I repeated this is not simple swelling, it is a large rock-hard lump that hurts if I press it even slightly. I want to trust everything is OK... but I'd simply like to know how unusual this is.
Brief Answer:
Please attach a photo of the wound.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
Can you please attach a photo of the wound? It will be much easier to give valuable answer.
Please note that what you see outside is only a small part of whole wound. Under the skin there are few layers of stitches and the mesh. This stitches and mesh can give rock hard lump right under the scar. This is a normal thing.
However, sometimes under the scar, hematoma appears. This can give pain, swelling and some redness visible on the skin. In such case hematoma should be drained.
There is of course possibility that the hernia has not been fixed property and you have a recurrence.
But a week after surgery is very very early. Pain, hard lump are very common symptoms in that time.
If you still are certain that this is something under the skin, ultrasound can be done to find out the cause.
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Please attach a photo of the wound.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
Can you please attach a photo of the wound? It will be much easier to give valuable answer.
Please note that what you see outside is only a small part of whole wound. Under the skin there are few layers of stitches and the mesh. This stitches and mesh can give rock hard lump right under the scar. This is a normal thing.
However, sometimes under the scar, hematoma appears. This can give pain, swelling and some redness visible on the skin. In such case hematoma should be drained.
There is of course possibility that the hernia has not been fixed property and you have a recurrence.
But a week after surgery is very very early. Pain, hard lump are very common symptoms in that time.
If you still are certain that this is something under the skin, ultrasound can be done to find out the cause.
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
There is no redness or indication of infection. Pain is slowly subsiding. Not easy for me to upload a photo to you. I should have added that I can gently manipulate the scar away from the lump inside, so these are two separate things; I'm not simply feeling the surface scar tissue. The lump is definitely separate inside. But you told me what I hoped to hear: that most likely I'm just feeling the stitched mesh (I know definitely mesh was used), and swelling is still quite normal this early.
Brief Answer:
Sounds like typical post hernia surgery state.
Detailed Answer:
If there is no redness or infection signs, this sounds like a normal state post hernia surgery. It can be mesh indeed. It can be also a layer of stitches mentioned above. This stitches are not connected to the skin so you may move the scar without moving the lump.
Just try to wait with it. It is very early. And this does not sound like a reason to be concerned.
Sounds like typical post hernia surgery state.
Detailed Answer:
If there is no redness or infection signs, this sounds like a normal state post hernia surgery. It can be mesh indeed. It can be also a layer of stitches mentioned above. This stitches are not connected to the skin so you may move the scar without moving the lump.
Just try to wait with it. It is very early. And this does not sound like a reason to be concerned.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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