A Cuban woman residing in Havana is making an urgent plea for help to undergo surgery for a massive hernia in her abdomen. Grisel Blanco, who lives in the La Víbora neighborhood in the Diez de Octubre municipality, has shared photos on her Facebook page highlighting her serious health condition, with the hernia occupying nearly her entire belly.
"I no longer know where to turn. I am an oncology patient and desperately need a visceral contact mesh to undergo surgery urgently," she stated. "I have a giant incisional hernia and lack an abdominal wall, which is why this type of mesh is crucial," she clarified.
According to Blanco, given her condition and the size of the protrusion, she requires a visceral contact mesh measuring 30 × 30 cm. An incisional hernia, or eventration, occurs due to poor healing of an incision made in the abdominal wall during a previous surgery. The tissues in the abdominal wall yield to intra-abdominal pressure, causing the internal organs to protrude outward.
This issue ranks among the most common complications following any kind of abdominal surgery. It can manifest shortly after the operation or even years later. The visceral contact mesh used in treating hernias and eventrations features two sides: one made of monofilament polypropylene designed to integrate with the wall, and another composed of Teflon film to prevent adhesions with the viscera.
Understanding Abdominal Hernias and Treatment Options
What causes an incisional hernia?
An incisional hernia results from inadequate healing of a surgical incision in the abdominal wall, leading to a protrusion of internal organs due to pressure.
Why is a visceral contact mesh necessary?
A visceral contact mesh is essential for providing support to the abdominal wall and preventing adhesions with internal organs, ensuring a successful surgical repair of the hernia.
How common are complications after abdominal surgery?
Complications like incisional hernias are quite common after abdominal surgery and can occur shortly after or even years following the procedure.