Faculty Collaboration Database

Ventral hernia and other complications of 1,000 midline incisions. South Med J 1995 Apr;88(4):450-3

Date

04/01/1995

Pubmed ID

7716599

DOI

10.1097/00007611-199504000-00013

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0028965452 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   87 Citations

Abstract

We report the outcome in 1,079 consecutive clean or clean-contaminated midline abdominal incisions closed with running 0-loop nylon suture after both elective and emergency operations done between 1984 and 1991. Postoperatively, 79 patients were lost to follow-up, resulting in 1,000 having long-term follow-up. Mean follow-up among these patients was 22 months. Early wound complications included subcutaneous wound infection (18), deep wound infection (17), dehiscence (13), fistula (2), and suture sinus (2). A ventral hernia developed in 42 (4.2%) cases during follow-up. By chi-square analysis, wound infection, dehiscence, class of clean-contaminated wound, patient age > 65, or previous midline abdominal incision were not identified as risk factors for development of a ventral hernia. Reuse of a previous midline incision in combination with any wound infection was associated with an increased risk of subsequent ventral hernia (stepwise regression). In our experience, running closure of a vertical midline abdominal wound has not been associated with an excessive incidence of wound complications or of ventral hernia.

Author List

Carlson MA, Ludwig KA, Condon RE

Author

Kirk A. Ludwig MD Chief, Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Chi-Square Distribution
Elective Surgical Procedures
Emergencies
Follow-Up Studies
Hernia, Ventral
Humans
Laparotomy
Middle Aged
Risk Factors
Surgical Wound Dehiscence
Surgical Wound Infection
Suture Techniques
Sutures
Treatment Outcome