News

Surgeon takes on Australia's most difficult hernias

Oct 11, 2017

A Brisbane surgeon is calling for more help to tackle a common side effect of Australia’s obesity epidemic: abdominal hernias.

Dr Kellee Slater runs a unique abdominal hernia unit at Greenslopes Private Hospital; she is one of only a few surgeons in Australia addressing the problem of hernia and excess skin at the same time.

Dr Slater explains that abdominal hernias have become more prevalent and more difficult to fix because of the risks involved in operating on these patients.

“Frequently, hernia patients have been through very traumatic illnesses.  Once you see the pictures, you can only imagine how these people manage to live day to day. They often need help to walk and go to the bathroom”.

A major abdominal hernia occurs when there is a defect in the muscles of the abdominal wall from previous surgery.

“The bigger the hernia gets, the more debilitating it will become. A hernia an only be fixed with surgery and this is done by bringing the muscles back together and reinforcing them with mesh.”

Dr Slater said data from Australia’s private sector shows how much the problem has increased - from 5,306 incisional hernia repairs in 1993 to 16,514 in 2015.

One of the likely reasons for this is Australia’s obesity epidemic. 

“My patients need significant support to lose weight and keep it off so this does not keep happening. If they don’t, the current statistics show that 30% of hernias recur after the first repair, and 40% after the second repair. 25% of all incisional hernia repairs require repeat operation.”

Dr Slater said it can take her 6 months to prepare a patient for surgery, and the operation itself lasts 3 to 4 hours.

“The operations to repair these hernias and remove excess skin can be high risk in the short term, but the improvement in daily function and quality of life, gives patients the boost they need to live their life better and continue their weight loss journey.”

“I need the issues to be publicised and for the health system to take these patients seriously. Many of these patients have been told they are not fixable – but this is almost never true.”

“I love working with hernia patients. It is the most satisfying thing I do. The surgery is complex and physically difficult, but the rewards for the patients make it so worthwhile.”

Dr Slater normally carries out one or two of these surgeries per week at Greenslopes Private Hospital.

“I love an underdog and this is the most underestimated problem in all of general surgery.  My training in complicated liver surgery is perfect for looking after these high risk patients and my unit has developed the experience and results to show that I can get good results.”

For more information about Dr Kellee Slater click here.