Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery 1/2014

01-01-2014 | Original Article

Chronic complaints after simple sutured repair for umbilical or epigastric hernias may be related to recurrence

Authors: Mikkel Westen, Mette W. Christoffersen, Lars N. Jorgensen, Trine Stigaard, Thue Bisgaard

Published in: Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery | Issue 1/2014

Login to get access

Abstract

Purpose

Umbilical and epigastric hernia repairs are minor, but are commonly conducted surgical procedures. Long-term results have only been sparsely investigated.
Our objective was to investigate the risk of chronic complaints after a simple sutured repair for small umbilical and epigastric hernias.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study with a 5-year questionnaire and clinical follow-up was conducted. Patients undergoing primary elective, open non-mesh umbilical or epigastric sutured hernia repair were included. Patients completed a structured questionnaire regarding chronic complaints during work and leisure activities using a verbal rating scale. The primary outcome was chronic complaints.

Results

A total of 295 patients were included for analysis after a median of 5.0-year (range 2.8–8.0) follow-up period. Follow-up results were achieved from 262 of the included patients (90 % response rate). Up till 5.8 % of the patients reported moderate or severe pain and discomfort. Work and leisure activities were restricted in 8.5 and 10.0 % of patients, respectively. Patients with chronic complaints had a higher incidence of recurrence (clinical and reoperation), than patients with none or mild complaints (78.6 vs. 22.2 % (P < 0.001)). The recurrence rate was significantly higher after a repair with absorbable suture (20.1 %) compared with non-absorbable suture repair (4.2 %) (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

We found that chronic complaints after a simple sutured umbilical or epigastric repair was in the level of 5.5 % and could in part be explained by recurrence. Furthermore, absorbable suture should be omitted to reduce risk of recurrence.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Sauerland S, Walgenbach M, Habermalz B, Seiler CM, Miserez M (2011) Laparoscopic versus open surgical techniques for ventral or incisional hernia repair. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 16, CD007781 Sauerland S, Walgenbach M, Habermalz B, Seiler CM, Miserez M (2011) Laparoscopic versus open surgical techniques for ventral or incisional hernia repair. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 16, CD007781
2.
go back to reference Witherspoon P, O’Dwyer PJ (2009) Surgeons’ perspectives on options for ventral abdominal hernia repair: results of a postal questionnaire. Hernia 9:259–262CrossRef Witherspoon P, O’Dwyer PJ (2009) Surgeons’ perspectives on options for ventral abdominal hernia repair: results of a postal questionnaire. Hernia 9:259–262CrossRef
8.
go back to reference Venclauskas L, Silanskaite J, Kiudelis M (2008) Umbilical hernia: factors indicative of recurrence. Med (Kaunas) 44:855–859 Venclauskas L, Silanskaite J, Kiudelis M (2008) Umbilical hernia: factors indicative of recurrence. Med (Kaunas) 44:855–859
15.
go back to reference Nordin P, Haapaniemi S, Kald A, Nilsson E (2003) Influence of suture material and surgical technique on risk of reoperation after non-mesh open hernia repair. Br J Surg 90:1004–1008PubMedCrossRef Nordin P, Haapaniemi S, Kald A, Nilsson E (2003) Influence of suture material and surgical technique on risk of reoperation after non-mesh open hernia repair. Br J Surg 90:1004–1008PubMedCrossRef
Metadata
Title
Chronic complaints after simple sutured repair for umbilical or epigastric hernias may be related to recurrence
Authors
Mikkel Westen
Mette W. Christoffersen
Lars N. Jorgensen
Trine Stigaard
Thue Bisgaard
Publication date
01-01-2014
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery / Issue 1/2014
Print ISSN: 1435-2443
Electronic ISSN: 1435-2451
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00423-013-1119-9

Other articles of this Issue 1/2014

Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery 1/2014 Go to the issue