Incisional Hernia: An Experimental and Clinical Study

Abstract

Incisional hernia is one of the most common long-term complications of abdominal surgery. In prospective studies with sufficient follow-up, incidences of incisional hernia after laparotomy up to 20% are reported. Incisional hernia can be defined as an internal abdominal wall defect that develops after a previously closed laparotomy. Intra-abdominal organs such as omentum, bowel or bladder may protrude through the fascial defect, covered by a peritoneal sac and intact skin. If a rupture of the abdominal wall occurs within the first postoperative days, when the skin has not healed yet, this is defined as a different entity, known as “platzbauch”, “burst abdomen” or “wound dehiscence”. In this condition, there is no peritoneal sac and the intraabdominal organs protrude through the gaping wound. The degree of healing of the skin wound determines whether fascial dehiscence presents as burst abdomen or incisional hernia.