Repair of large, multiple, and recurrent ventral hernias: an analysis of 124 cases.

OBJECTIVE

To present our technique for repairing large, multiple, and recurrent ventral hernias, and describe our experience.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

Teaching hospital, Kuwait.

SUBJECTS

124 patients (4 men and 120 women, age range 25-60) who presented with recurrent (n = 34), multiple (n = 27), or large (n = 63) ventral hernias.

INTERVENTION

Abdominoplasty through a bikini crease incision together with a diamond shaped incision to preserve the umbilicus on its vascular pedicle. After wide dissection the hernia was repaired by two layer, tension-free plication using the available lax tissues. Redundant tissue was excised.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Duration of healing, depth of stay in hospital, complications, and recurrence.

RESULTS

Most of the hernias (113, 91%) had healed within 12 days, and over the three quarters of patients had left hospital within 10 days (median duration of stay 8 days). There was one severe wound infection, 10 patients developed minimal necrosis of fat or skin (4 of which developed secondary infection), and there were 3 seromas. 3 Hernias (2%).

CONCLUSION

We recommend this technique of abdominoplasty for large, multiple, or recurrent hernias, particularly in those patients who have pronounced prolapse of the abdominal wall.