Oc-088 not all symptoms may be the hernia!

Abstract Introduction Ventral hernias are common and operations for ventral hernias are some of the most commonly performed procedures in general surgery. These operations are often motivated also by symptoms such as back pain, the bulge growing and abdominal wall pain or inability to exercise. Material and methods We have run a retrospective trial looking at our cohort of patients with large ventral hernias that have successfully completed a prehabilitation programme. We have specifically focused at symptoms of back pain, size of their hernias and other general symptoms like ability to exercise. Results 78 patients have successfully completed the programme and 45 have decided against an operation as the symptoms that have originally motivated them to seek surgical help have diminished. Their abdominal circumference (measured over the hernia) has not increased in any of them. Conclusion Individual physiotherapy can lead to improvement in patient symptoms and can prevent a hernia from getting bigger.