[Incisional hernia after surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysm].
BACKGROUND
Incisional hernia in patients electively operated on the abdominal aorta is common.


METHODS
Patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm and with aorto-iliac occlusive disease (n = 231) operated at Tromsø University Hospital between 1992 and 1998 were identified. Data were obtained from patient files and from a postal questionnaire sent to 172 patients and returned by 140 (85%).


RESULTS
Mean follow-up time was 3.5 years; 49 out of 140 patients (35%) had incisional hernia, 42 of these had been operated for aneurysm and seven for occlusive disease. Patients operated for aneurysm had an increased risk of developing incisional hernia (OR 3.1, p = 0.03). Obesity and smoking were associated risk factors. The hernias appeared earlier in patients with aorta aneurysm than in patients with occlusive disease (p < 0.01). A large proportion of the patients reported discomfort due to their hernias.


CONCLUSIONS
Abdominal aorta aneurysm seems to be associated with alterations in the connective tissue. Incisional hernia is a significant source of morbidity in patients operated for abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Augestad
Knut Magne
KM
Avdeling for gastroenterologisk kirurgi Regionsykehuset i Tromsø 9038 Tromsø. knut.magne.augestad@rito.no
Wilsgaard
Tom
T
Solberg
Steinar
S
D000368:Aged; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery*; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D002921:Cicatrix; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006555:Hernia, Ventral / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods