Our Services A - Z - Abdominal Wall Reconstruction (AWR)

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals provides a comprehensive Abdominal Wall Reconstruction (AWR) service that is dedicated to repair complex defects of the abdominal wall. This service is carried out in the Trust as a combined service between General Surgery and Plastic Surgery departments. 

Abdominal wall reconstruction is a surgical procedure designed to repair and strengthen the muscles and tissues of the abdominal wall. It is usually considered when there is a complex abdominal wall hernia, significant weakness or damage to the muscles of the abdomen or wide separation of the muscles. We deal with all components of the abdomen, which include the skin with the underlying fat, the muscles and the tough layer around the muscle called the fascia.

The service includes 4 main milestones:

Diagnosis: Upon receiving a referral regarding your condition that may require a review with the abdominal wall service, you will have a consultation with a general surgeon and a plastic surgeon. A Computed Tomography (CT) scan is usually needed (if it has not already been done) to aid diagnosis. You will have a discussion regarding the options of management depending on your own specific circumstances and condition.

Preparation: If you need an abdominal wall reconstruction, your general health and condition will be assessed e.g. your past medical history and lifestyle factors. You might be advised to go through a set of steps in preparation for the surgery and be reviewed by the pre-op assessment team to see how fit you are for surgery.

Surgery: If you are deemed ready and fit to have the surgery, you will be put on the waiting list for surgery. In surgery you will be seen again by the surgeons and the anaesthetic team and sign a consent. You may have a session of Botox injections a few weeks before surgery if you need it, that allows your muscles. The repair involves application of mesh to support the repair and removal of excess skin and fat.

After the surgery: Following surgery you will need to stay in the hospital for few days, where you will be seen by the physiotherapy team and you will be discharged once you are deemed fit to go home. This will be followed by few hospital visits to check the site of the surgery, wound healing in the dressing clinic, and outpatient department visits for follow up.