title: Long-term recurrence and complication rates after incisional hernia repair with the open onlay technique.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Incisional hernia after abdominal surgery is a well-known complication. Controversy still exists with respect to the choice of hernia repair technique. The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term recurrence rate as well as surgical complications in a consecutive group of patients undergoing open repair using an onlay mesh technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive patients undergoing open incisional hernia repair with onlay-technique between 01/05/1995 and 01/09/2007 at a single institution were included in the study. For follow-up patients were contacted by telephone, and answered a questionnaire containing questions related to the primary operation, the hernia and general risk factors. Patients were examined by a consultant surgeon in the outpatient clinic or in the patient's home if there was suspicion of an incisional hernia recurrence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study included 56 patients with 100% follow-up. The median follow-up was 35 months (range 4-151). Recurrent incisional hernia was found in 8 of 56 patients (15%, 95% CI: 6-24). The overall complication rate was 13% (95% CI, 4-22). All complications were minor and needed no hospital admission.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study with a long follow-up showed low recurrence and complication rates in patients undergoing incisional hernia repair with the open onlay technique.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery D, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, 2730 Herlev, Denmark. lphandersen@gmail.com
authors.forename: Lars Peter Holst
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: Mads
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.forename: Ismail
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gögenur
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rosenberg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D046449:Hernia, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D013997:Time Factors