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[jereboot]

My son, age 56, donated a kidney to his brother 6 years ago. he has recently developed a hernia. could this be related?

[jemma116]

Like Redbyrd600 mentions, and she experienced a hernia in the site of the her scar many years after her operation.  Having had an incision to remove a kidney, albeit 6 years, should not be ruled out of having a hernia because of the incision.

jereboot does not mention where this hernia is and how long her son has had this.  People can have a hernia for many years and if it is a small one that has not been bothering them (in the belly area or the groin), will not always see their doctor.

A hiatus hernia is still a hernia.  And you can get hernias in different parts of the body.

The most important thing, regardless of how this hernia happened, is that jereboot's son sees his doctor urgently.  Hernias can sometimes get strangulated and that is a very serious matter that needs urgent medial attention.

[SassyLassie]

Hello,

You say he recently developed the hernia? Well, if that is the case, then it is almost for sure that the donation of the kidney did not cause it.

[Redbyrd600]

An incisional hernia can occur years after a surgery, including a laparoscopic procedure. I have a hernia which has developed at the site where I had a procedure some time ago. The weakness in the abdominal wall is created by the incision, even a perfectly healed one.  Then the wall is strained through excercise, heavy lifting and even weight gain causing the weaker portion of the abdominal wall to tear (herniate).

[BluCrystal]

No.  A hernia is caused by putting too much strain on a muscle, and has nothing to do with organ function.

[flipper336]

Your son donating his kidney 6 years ago is not related to him getting a hernia now. There is about a 7% chance that a person will get a hernia after donating and that is only specific to the hand-assisted laparoscopic procedure.

As far as a Incisional hernia is concerned, that is from an incision is not fully healed, your son's would of been healed years ago, so I don't believe that would be the case. But please keep in mind that anything is possible.

[jemma116]

It depends where the hernia is.

He may have what is called an Incisional hernia.  These occur when tissue pokes through a surgical wound in the abdomen that has not fully healed.

You can find more information on the link below that gives information on the different hernias.

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Hernia/Pages/Introduction.aspx

If he has not yet done so, stress to him that it is very important the he sees his doctor urgently.

Let him know and stress to him that should he suddenly get severe pain; starts to vomit; has constipation (difficulty passing stools) or has wind;
the hernia becomes firm or tender, or cannot be pushed back in; he should go to the A&E immediately.

It is a very brave thing he did for his brother.  God Bless

[gymdandee]

Can't see how it's related!