The clinical study of the incisional hernia and its management

Abstract

Background: Hernia is defined as abnormal protrusion of viscus through a normal or abnormal weakness in the wall of its containing cavity. Incidence of Incisional hernias is 60%. It is the most common complication after exploratory laparotomy followed by LSCS.Methods: Data was collected for 30 cases of incisional hernia according to the proforma which included detailed history, clinical examination and investigation. Data was tabulated, analyzed and results interpreted.Results: Incisional hernia was more common in females with the ratio 1.5:1. The incidence of incisional hernia was highest in the age group ranging from 30-50 years. Most of the patients presented with chief complaint of swelling (100%) followed by pain and swelling (24%). Incisional hernia was more common in patients of previous history of abdominal procedures (explorative laparotomy 53%) followed by gynaecological operations (23%). Out of 30 patients studied, 20 underwent only mesh hernioplasty (67%), 10 underwent sublay mesh hernioplasty (23%).Conclusions: With prosthetic mesh, defects of any size can be repaired without tension. The polypropylene mesh, by inducing inflammatory response sets up scaffolding that in turn induces the synthesis of collagen. Thus, the superiority of mesh repair over suture repair can be accounted for.