Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Incisional hernia: challenge of re-operations after mesh repair

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background and aims

The widespread use of meshes for the repair of incisional hernia is currently followed by an increasing number of re-operations. The incidence of incisional hernia recurrence after mesh repair varies between 3 and 32%. The problem of mesh failure and options for another surgical intervention seem rather unattended.

Methods

We present our experience of 77 re-operations after previous mesh repair that were performed between 1995 and 2004 out of a total of 1,070 operations for incisional hernia. The retrospective analysis focused on recurrence in relation to location, material of the previous mesh repair and the surgical procedure to resolve the problem.

Results

The locations of the preceding meshes were epifascial as onlays (n=23), retromuscular as sublays (n=46), within the defect as inlays (n=6) or intraperitoneally (n=2). The direction of the incision was vertical medial (n=41) or horizontal crossing the linea semilunaris (n=36). Recurrences after median incisional hernia mesh repair mainly occurred at the cranial border of the mesh subxiphoidal. Except for two patients, all recurrences manifested at the margin of the enclosed mesh.

Conclusions

Re-operation after previous mesh repair is a surgical challenge. The type of revision procedure has to consider the position and material of the previous mesh. In our clinic recurrences, heavyweight polypropylene meshes were mostly treated with mesh exchange and lightweight polypropylene meshes could be treated by extension with a second mesh. In contrast to suture techniques, deficient mesh repairs are more evidently related to technical problems.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Hoer J, Lawong G, Klinge U, Schumpelick V (2002) Factors influencing the development of incisional hernia. A retrospective study of 2,983 laparotomy patients over a period of 10 years. Chirurg 73(5):474–480

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Schumpelick V, Conze J, Klinge U (1996) Preperitoneal mesh-plasty in incisional hernia repair. A comparative retrospective study of 272 operated incisional hernias. Chirurg 67(10):1028–1035

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Schumpelick V, Klinge U, Junge K, Stumpf M (2004) Incisional abdominal hernia: the open mesh repair. Langenbecks Arch Surg 389(1):1–5

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Flum DR, Horvath K, Koepsell T (2003) Have outcomes of incisional hernia repair improved with time? A population-based analysis. Ann Surg 237(1):129–135

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Jansen PL, Mertens PR, Klinge U, Schumpelick V (2004) The biology of hernia formation. Surgery 136(1):1–4

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Burger JW, Luijendijk RW, Hop WC, Halm JA, Verdaasdonk EG, Jeekel J (2004) Long-term follow-up of a randomized controlled trial of suture versus mesh repair of incisional hernia. Ann Surg 240(4):578–583 (discussion 583–585)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Langer C, Neufang T, Kley C, Liersch T, Becker H (2001) Central mesh recurrence after incisional hernia repair with Marlex—are the meshes strong enough? Hernia 5(3):164–167

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Schumpelick V, Nyhus L (2003) Meshes: benefits and risks. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York

    Google Scholar 

  9. Junge K, Klinge U, Rosch R, Mertens PR, Kirch J, Klosterhalfen B et al (2004) Decreased collagen type I/III ratio in patients with recurring hernia after implantation of alloplastic prostheses. Langenbecks Arch Surg 389(1):17–22

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Conze J, Prescher A, Klinge U, Saklak M, Schumpelick V (2004) Pitfalls in retromuscular mesh repair for incisional hernia: the importance of the “fatty triangle”. Hernia 8(3):255–259

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Conze J, Prescher A, Kisielinski K, Klinge U, Schumpelick V (2005) Technical consideration for subxiphoidal incisional hernia repair. Hernia 9(1):84–87

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Klosterhalfen B, Junge K, Hermanns B, Klinge U (2002) Influence of implantation interval on the long-term biocompatibility of surgical mesh. Br J Surg 89(8):1043–1048

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Klosterhalfen B, Klinge U, Hermanns B, Schumpelick V (2000) Pathology of traditional surgical nets for hernia repair after long-term implantation in humans. Chirurg 71(1):43–51

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Klosterhalfen B, Klinge U, Schumpelick V (1998) Functional and morphological evaluation of different polypropylene-mesh modifications for abdominal wall repair. Biomaterials 19:2235–2246

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. LeBlanc KA, Whitaker JM (2002) Management of chronic postoperative pain following incisional hernia repair with Composix mesh: a report of two cases. Hernia 6(4):194–197

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Surgical Department of the Rhenish Westfalian Technical University, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany

    Joachim Conze, Carsten J. Krones, Volker Schumpelick & Uwe Klinge

Authors
  1. Joachim Conze
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Carsten J. Krones
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Volker Schumpelick
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Uwe Klinge
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joachim Conze.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Conze, J., Krones, C.J., Schumpelick, V. et al. Incisional hernia: challenge of re-operations after mesh repair. Langenbecks Arch Surg 392, 453–457 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00423-006-0065-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00423-006-0065-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation