A ventral hernia is a hernia that occurs on the abdominal wall. A hernia itself is a defect in a strong connective tissue layer through which tissue can protrude.  Sometimes, particularly if bowel protrudes through this defect, or hernia, it can get stuck and very occasionally lose its blood supply. This would obviously be an emergency.

By using either laparoscopic or the more traditional “open” technique, the contents of the hernia are reduced and the hernia repaired using a variety of different available mesh and fixation devices.

This is usually pretty minor surgery and you would generally be able to go home the following day and occasionally same day of surgery may be appropriate. Apart from a very small chance of bleeding or wound infection, there is a very small chance of recurrence of the hernia (usually 1-2%).