Conversation: The conversation between human and AI assistant.
[|Human|] Hi, may I answer your health queries right now ?  Please type your query here...have a protruding incisional hernia caused from previous abdominal surgery (coming through my navel).  Been working with my DR to clear up infection but getting frustrated things help for awhile and infection comes back.  Has a foul odor if it drains.
[|AI|]  Hi ! Good evening. I am Chat Doctor answering your query. From your history, there seems to be a cause for a recurrent infection of the post-operative wound. In case a mesh was used, this might have to be removed for control of the infection. There could be a non resolving suture inside which caused the recurrent problem. If I were your surgeon, I would explore the wound again and remove any foreign body over there including the mesh for control of the infection and then repair the defect under vigorous antibiotic cover without a mesh for the present. Once the would heals up well without any infection, and in case of a second recurrence of the hernia, one could think of a laparoscopic repair of the defect with a mesh. These are all the possibilities only. However, the exact nature of the management would depend on after a physical examination of the defect, and the wound by the treating doctor/surgeon. I hope this information would help you in discussing with your family physician/treating doctor in further management of your problem. Please do not hesitate to ask in case of any further doubts. Thanks for choosing Chat Doctor to clear doubts on your health problems. I wish you an early recovery. Chat Doctor.