CLINICAL STUDY AND MANAGEMENT OF INCISIONAL HERNIAS: OUR EXPERIENCE

BACKGROUND: Incisional hernia, by definition represents a breakdown or loss of continuity of a fascial closure.Surgical management of incisional hernias has evolved over the last century.This study was performed to review clinical profile and management of incisional hernia in our institute.AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To analyze the etiopathogenesis of incisional hernia with respect to patient variable factors, types of surgical intervention.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This a prospective study conducted at our institute between February 2009 and January 2011(24 months).100 patients were included and followed up for immediate post-operative complications.OBSERVATIONS AND RESULTS: Incisional hernia was found to occur more often in 31-40yr age group,and mostly in females.Most commonly occurred following gynecological operations, lower abdominal incisions, post operative wound infection.Most patients noticed the incisional hernia only 1 to 5 years after the index surgery.Laparoscopic hernioplasty was the most commonly performed surgery.CONCLUSION: In Incisional hernias the choice of operative technique is crucial Incisional hernias occur more often in females as they are more likely to undergo lower abdominal surgeries.Mesh repair is considered superior to anatomical repair alone and we recommend Laparoscopic Hernioplasty as the first line of treatment.