An Edmonton surgical program treating complex hernias leads the nation, bringing relief to more than 800 patients since its inception five years ago. The Complex Hernia and Abdominal Reconstruction Group of Edmonton (CHARGE) program is Canada’s first comprehensive multidisciplinary hernia program, operating out of the Royal Alexandra Hospital, University of Alberta Hospital and Sturgeon Community Hospital. According to Alberta Health Services (AHS), thousands of Canadians are affected by abdominal hernias each year. An abdominal hernia develops when either tissue or an organ pushes through the belly and can severely impair physical function, cause discomfort, and lead to serious health complications – including bowel obstruction and sepsis – and in some cases, death. “While many hernias can be easily repaired with surgery, there are a number of patients with complex cases that for years were told there was no surgical option to repair the abdomen because of the size of the hernia, tissue loss, or other health risk factors,” Dr. Ram Anantha, CHARGE program lead, said in a statement. “We created a team in Edmonton focused on the introduction of specialized surgical techniques, advanced repair materials, and innovative devices to help advance the field of hernia surgery in Canada.” According to Dr. Matt Strickland, a surgeon at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, the CHARGE program is a collaborative approach that tailors hernia care with support from weight-loss specialists, personal trainers, interventional radiologists and perioperative medicine specialists. Strickland says the team approach “drives better outcomes for the most complex cases across the province.” “Edmonton is at the forefront of complex hernia repair in North America, and we are starting to see programs across the country start based on the expertise and success we are having in Alberta,” Strickland added. Hernia patient testimonial Corry Coyne of Wetaskiwin, Alta., said she developed an incisional hernia six weeks after having pre-cancerous pancreatic surgery in 2023. “The muscles in my abdominal wall pulled apart at the site of my incision, allowing part of my abdomen to bulge outward,” Coyne said in a statement, adding that the “basketball-sized lump” affected movements like standing, walking, and getting out of bed. “Even coughing became painful and difficult because I no longer had the strength and support of a normal abdominal wall.” Coyne was referred to CHARGE, and Dr. Strickland and his surgical team performed an 8-hour surgery in June 2024 to reconstruct her abdominal wall. Now two years post-surgery, Coyne says she feels happy, healthy and grateful for the specialized care. “Within three months, I was off the daily pain medication I needed to manage my hernia pain,” she said, thanking CHARGE for “(getting her) life back.” CHARGE is based in Edmonton, but also treats patients from across Northern Alberta and the Northwest Territories, western Saskatchewan, eastern B.C., and parts of Nunavut. The team receives about 20 to 30 referrals each month.
