Long-term recurrence and complication rates after incisional hernia repair with the open onlay technique.
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.
Andersen
Lars Peter Holst
LP
Department of Surgery D, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, 2730 Herlev, Denmark. lphandersen@gmail.com
Klein
Mads
M
Gögenur
Ismail
I
Rosenberg
Jacob
J
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