Factors associated with incisional hernia in a tertiary level hospital: An observational study

Abstract

Introduction: Incisional hernia is one of the most common complications in visceral surgery requiring reoperation. Majority of incisional hernias are asymptomatic but some are associated with major morbidity and loss of time for productive employment and diminished quality of lifeAims and Objectives: The incidence of incisional hernia in and around this region to study the site of occurrence, age and sex incidence and to study the risk factors associated with development of incisional herniaMaterials and Methods: The present study was an observational study done for a period of 18 months carried out in 64 patients who came to surgery department of Mamata General Hospital with history of previous abdominal surgery and presenting with complaints of swelling per abdomenResults: Overall incidence of incisional hernia was 29.7% in the study population. Females were found to be more affected in the study. Common presenting symptom was swelling in the lower abdomen at the previous scar site with cough impulse and reducibility, pain over the swelling. Factors that were found to be significantly associated with incisional hernia were anaemia, chronic cough, wound sepsis, thyroid disorder and obesityConclusion: Incisional hernia stands a major obstacle for many surgeons till date even though various techniques were evolved for abdominal closure. Most of the patients were females with mean age of 49 years. Factors that were found to be significantly associated with incisional hernia are anaemia, chronic cough, wound sepsis, thyroid disorder and Obesity.