Association of ventral incisional hernias with comorbid diseases.

BACKGROUND Ventral incisional hernias are more commonly associated with comorbid diseases when compared to other hernia types. We investigate the hypothesis that unfavourable local factors related to comorbid diseases may lead to incisional hernia development. MATERIALS AND METHODS The characteristics of incisional hernia (71 patients), primary ventral hernia (114 patients)and groin hernia groups (820 patients) were analysed and compared among each other. RESULTS Advanced age, female gender, presence of coexisting disease, strangulation, incarceration, bowel or omentum resections, deep venous thrombosis, ileus, wound infections,ASA scores were significantly higher and the duration of hospital stay was longer in the incisional hernia group when compared to the other groups. Presence of coexisting diseases and ASA class scores were independent predictors of length of hospital stay in incisional hernia patients (p 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Ventral incisional hernias are associated with higher incidence of comorbid diseases in comparison with other types of abdominal wall hernias. Patients with coexisting diseases might have unfavourable local factors that lead to incisional hernia development.