Incisional hernias are more common in aneurysmal arterial disease

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that incisional hernia was a more frequent complication following aortic reconstructive surgery in patients with aneurysmal as opposed to occlusive aortic disease. DESIGN: A retrospective review. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients having aortic reconstructive surgery at a teaching hospital between 1988 and 1992 were identified and recalled to be examined for evidence of an incisional hernia. RESULTS: Of the 134 patients having aortic reconstructive surgery, 87 were available to be examined by an independent clinician. The overall incisional hernia rate was 28%. Patients with aneurysmal disease were significantly more likely to develop an incisional hernia after elective surgery than patients with occlusive disease (p = 0.04). None of the other variables investigated, including age, chronic obstructive airways disease, diabetes, smoking, wound infection, obesity, length of intensive care unit stay and number of units of blood transfused, were significantly related to the complication of incisional hernia. CONCLUSION: Incisional hernia is a common complication of aortic reconstructive surgery, especially in patients with aneurysmal disease.