Incidence and predisposing factors for incisional hernia in patients with liver transplantation.
BACKGROUND
Cirrhotic patients who are transplanted have a high risk of developing incisional hernia (IH).


METHODS
We have analysed the incidence and treatment of IH in 465 patients with liver transplantation (LT). In order to find predisposing factors, we compared these patients with a similar group of patients with LT without IH. Fifty-four patients (11.6%) developed an IH. Forty-six of these (85%) were males, and in 37% the entire laparotomy incision was involved. Forty patients have been operated on for the hernia, three by primary repair and 37 (92.5%) with a polypropylene mesh. After a follow-up of 42 months, 6 (15%) IHs recurred. Comparing groups, IH patients were older (P<0.05), of male gender (P<0.001), and received more steroids (P<0.01). The IH rate was not related to suture material.


CONCLUSIONS
Our rate of IH is perhaps reasonable in these high risk patients. It appears that IH can be reduced if steroids are reduced or avoided. We recommend a large mesh for repair.
Gómez
R
R
Service of Digestive Surgery and Abdominal Organ Transplantation, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain. emorenog@hdoc.insalud.es
Hidalgo
M
M
Marques
E
E
Marin
L
L
Loinaz
C
C
Gonzalez
I
I
Garcia
I
I
Moreno
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006555:Hernia, Ventral / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors