Incisional hernia repairOpen suture repair versus open mesh repair

Abstract EN

Background : one of the important complication of abdominal surgery is incisional hernia.

Procedures for the repair of these hernias with sutures and with mesh have been reported, but the question is which type of the two procedures is the best. Methods : In the period between january 1999 and February 2003, we retrospectively evaluate 98 patients presented to Diwanyiah teaching hospital and private hospital who underwent repair of incisional hernia or a first recurrence of hernia at the site of a vertical midline incision of the abdomen .

The patients were followed up by physical examination at 1, 6, 12, 18,and 24 months.

Recurrence rates and potential risk factors for recurrent incisional hernia were analyzed with the use of life-table methods. Results : Among the 98 patients with incisional hernias who were eligible for the study,56 patients treated by open suture repair, and 42 patients treated by open mesh repair.

18 had recurrences during the follow-up period.

The three-year cumulative rates of recurrence among patients who had suture repair and those who had mesh repair were 25 percent and 9.5 percent, respectively.

The risk factors for recurrence were suture repair, infection, prostatism (in men), and previous surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysm.

The size of the hernia did not affect the rate of recurrence. Conclusions : Among patients with midline abdominal incisional hernias, mesh repair is superior to suture repair with regard to the recurrence of hernia, regardless of the size of the hernia.