SP9.14 “Happy to close?”: The relationship between surgical experience and incisional hernia rates following abdominal wall closure in colorectal surgery

Abstract Introduction There is an association between surgeon volume and outcomes in hernia surgery, yet little evidence regarding impact of the experience performing abdominal wall closure (AWC) on IH rate. Our aim was to assess rates at 1 year following surgery Registrar Consultant surgeons patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. Methods Patients for cancer 2014-2018 were identified through Hughes Abdominal Repair Trial (HART). Grade AWC categorised into “Trainee” “Consultant” compared with detected clinical examination Results 663 included. 44% closed by registrars (n=289). Groups comparable BMI, previous pre-operative IH. The rate significantly higher than those consultants (20% vs 12%, p<0.01). who underwent a registrar 88% more likely develop (OR 1.88, 95%CI 1.23-2.86, When comparing methods, arm p=0.03), but not high enough mass reach significance (21% 13%, p=0.05). Conclusion undergo have increased risk developing consultant. This work suggests importance training during AWC. Further needed determine supervised un-supervised trainees rates, should be treated as time rather coffee time.