Incisional hernias in patients with aortic aneurysmal disease: the importance of suture technique.

OBJECTIVE

To study the rate of incisional hernia at 12 months in patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm repair compared with others undergoing other surgery through midline incisions.

METHODS

A prospective study of 1023 patients, 85 of these with aneurysmal disease. Wounds were continuously closed and the suture technique was monitored by the suture length to wound length ratio.

RESULTS

Wound incisions were longer and operations lasted longer in aneurysm patients than in others. Incisional hernia was less common if closure was with a suture length to wound length ratio of at least four. Wounds were closed with a ratio of four or more in 39% (33 of 85) of aneurysm patients and in 59% (546 of 923) of others (p < 0.01). In aneurysm patients no wound dehiscence was recorded, the rate of wound infection was low and incisional hernia occurred in the same amount as in others.

CONCLUSIONS

It is concluded that the rate of incisional hernia is similar in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysmal disease and others. Wounds are closed with a less meticulous suture technique in aneurysm patients.