Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Incisional hernia repair in Sweden 2002

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Hernia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Incisional hernia is a common problem after abdominal surgery. The complication and recurrence rates following the different repair techniques are a matter of great concern. Our aim was to study the results of incisional hernia repair in Sweden. A questionnaire was sent to all surgical departments in Sweden requesting data concerning incisional hernia repair performed during the year 2002. Eight hundred and sixty-nine incisional hernia repairs were reported from 40 hospitals. Specialist surgeons performed the repair in 782 (83.8%) patients. The incisional hernia was a recurrence in 148 (17.0%) patients. Thirty-three per cent of the hernias were subsequent to transverse, subcostal or muscle-splitting incisions or laparoscopic procedures. Suture repair was performed in 349 (40.2%) hernias. Onlay mesh repair was more common than a sublay technique. The rate of wound infection was 9.6% after suture repair and 8.1% after mesh repair. The recurrence rate was 29.1% with suture repair, 19.3% with onlay mesh repair, and 7.3% with sublay mesh repair. This survey revealed that there is room for improvement regarding the incisional hernia surgery in Sweden. Suture repair, with its unacceptable results, is common and mesh techniques employed may not be optimal. This study has led to the instigation of a national incisional hernia register.

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

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. van´t Riet M, Steyerberg EW, Nellensteyn J, Bonjer HJ, Jeekel J (2002) Meta-analysis of techniques for closure of midline abdominal incisions. Br J Surg 89:1350–1356

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Mudge M, Heges LE (1985) Incisional hernia: a 10 year prospective study of incidence and attitudes. Br J Surg 72:70–71

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Wissing J J, van Vroonhoven J, Schattenkerk ME, Veen HF, Ponsen RJ, Jeekel J (1987) Fascia closure after midline laparotomy—results of a randomized trial. Br J Surg 74:738–741

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Sugerman HJ, Kellum JM Jr, Reines HD, DeMaria EJ, Mewsome HH, Lowry JW (1996) Greater risk of incisional hernia with morbidly obese than steroid dependent patients and low recurrence with prefascial polypropylene mesh. Am J Surg 171:80–84

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Cahlane MJ, Shapiro ME, Silen W (1989) Abdominal incision:decision or indecision? Lancet 21:146–148

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Luijendijk R, Hop W, van den Tol M, de Lange D, Braaksma M, IJzermans J, Boelhower R, de Vries B, Salu M, Wereldsma J, Bruijninckx C, Jeekel J (2000) A comparison of suture repair with mesh repair for incisional hernia. N Engl J Med 343:392–398

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Korenkov M, Paul A, Sauerland S, Neuebauer E, Arndt M, Chevrel JP, Corcione F, Fingerhut A, Flament JB, Kux M, Matzinger A, Myrvold HE, Rath AM, Simmermacher RK (2001) Classification and surgical treatment of incisional hernia. Results of an experts’ meeting. Langenbeck’s Arch Surg 386:65–73

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Cassar K, Munro A (2002) Surgical treatment of incisional hernia. Br J Surg 98:534–545

    Article  Google Scholar 

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

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Burger J, Luijendijk R, Hop W, Halm J, Verdaasdonk E, Jeekel J (2004) Long-term follow-up of a randomized controlled trial of suture versus mesh repair of incisional hernia. Ann Surg 240:578–585

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Goodney PP, Birkmeyer CM, Birkmeyer JD (2002) Short-term outcomes of laparoscopic and open ventral hernia repair. A meta-analysis. Arch Surg 137:1161–1165

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Cobb W, Kercher K, Heinford T (2005) Laparoscopic repair of incisional hernias. Surg Clin N Am 85:91–103

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Itani K, Neumayer L, Reda D, Kim L, Anthony T (2004) Repair of ventral incisional heria: the design of a randomized trial to compare open and laparoscopic surgical techniques. Am J Surg 188:22S–29S

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Heinford T, Park A, Ramshaw B, Voeller G (2003) Laproscopic repair of ventral hernias. Nine years experience with 850 consecutive hernias. Ann Surg 238:391–400

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Haapaniemi S, Nilsson E (2002) Recurrence and pain three years after groin hernia repair. Eur J Surg 168:22–28

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. de Vries Reilingh TS, van Geldere D, Langenhorst B, de Jong D, van der Wilt GJ, van Goor H, Bleichrodt RP (2004) Repair of large midline incisional hernias with polypropylene mesh: comparison of three operative techniques. Hernia 8:56–59

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Kelly ME, Behrman SW (2002) The safety and efficacy of prosthetic hernia repair in clean-contaminated and contaminated wounds. Am Surg 68:524–528

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. LeBlanc KA (2004) Laparoscopic incisional and ventral hernia repair: complications—how to avoid and handle. Hernia 8:323–331

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Mittermair R, Klingler A, Wykypiel H, Gadenstätter M (2002) Vertical Mayo repair of midline incisional hernia: suggested guidelines for selection of patients. Eur J Surg 168:334–338

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery and Perioperative Science, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden

    L. A. Israelsson

  2. Department of Surgery, Helsingborg Hospital, Helsingborg, Sweden

    S. Smedberg

  3. Department of Surgery, University Hospital of Malmö, Malmö, Sweden

    A. Montgomery

  4. Department of Surgery, Östersund Hospital, Östersund, Sweden

    P. Nordin

  5. Department of Surgery, Karlstad Hospital, Karlstad, Sweden

    L. Spangen

  6. Kirurgkliniken, Sundsvalls sjukhus, SE−851 86, Sundsvall, Sweden

    L. A. Israelsson

Authors
  1. L. A. Israelsson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. Smedberg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. Montgomery
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. P. Nordin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. L. Spangen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to L. A. Israelsson.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Israelsson, L.A., Smedberg, S., Montgomery, A. et al. Incisional hernia repair in Sweden 2002. Hernia 10, 258–261 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10029-006-0084-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10029-006-0084-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation