Risk Factors
Who is at risk of a hernia?
Hernia can affect men, women and children. A hernia may be the result of a defect or weakness in the abdominal wall at birth, or a weakness caused by age, injury or a previous surgical incision. Factors that can increase your risk of hernia include:
- Improper heavy lifting
- Straining during bowel movements
- Sharp blows to the abdomen
- Chronic cough
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Poor nutrition
- Family history
CeDAR: Calculate your Risk
From Carolinas HealthCare System, calculate your risk for wound-related problems & associated costs from a ventral hernia repair with this free app available on Google Play and the App Store!
Hernia repairs are among the most common operations performed in the world. The Carolinas Equation for Determining Associated Risks (CeDAR) predicts the risks and financial impact of wound-related problems following ventral hernia repair.
CeDAR provides surgeons and patients with a powerful tool that can predict individualized wound outcomes after abdominal hernia surgery. It also offers information on types of hernias and their treatments. Users simply answer eight questions about themselves, including height and weight. A percentage chance of developing specific postoperative complications requiring treatment is calculated along with the corresponding cost of this treatment. These results can then be used to discuss a patient’s risk for wound problems after surgery and what they can change to improve the odds for a good result. We believe assessing and understanding a patient’s preoperative health status can significantly impact postoperative outcomes.
