This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS

Nationwide study of early outcomes after incisional hernia repair. BJS 2009; 96: 1452-1457.

Published: 13th November 2009

Authors: T. Bisgaard, H. Kehlet, M. B. Bay‐Nielsen, M. G. Iversen, P. Wara, J. Rosenberg et al.

Background

There are no nationwide studies on early outcomes after incisional hernia repair.

Method

This study included all patients aged 18 years or more who had surgery for incisional hernia in Denmark between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2006, and analysed clinical outcomes within 30 days of surgery. Patients having acute operations and those whose hernia repair was secondary to other procedures were excluded.

Results

Of a total of 2896 incisional hernia repairs (1872 open, 1024 laparoscopic), 2754 (95·1 per cent) were for primary hernia and 142 (4·9 per cent) for recurrence. The median hospital stay was 1 (range 0–88) day (open, 1 day; laparoscopic, 2 days); 10·0 per cent stayed for more than 6 days. Some 11·2 per cent of patients were readmitted (open, 10·1 per cent; laparoscopic, 13·1 per cent). Major complications were observed in 3·5 per cent (open, 2·8 per cent; laparoscopic, 4·8 per cent) with a total morbidity rate of 10·7 per cent (open, 10·1 per cent; laparoscopic, 11·8 per cent). The mortality rate was 0·4 per cent (open, 0·2 per cent; laparoscopic, 0·7 per cent). Morbidity and mortality were not related to surgical volume.

Conclusion

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