Description
Incisional hernia is a potential complication of any laparotomy or laparoscopic procedure. Prospective studies have reported an incidence of between 7.4 and 11%.[1-4] Abdominal wall defects occur within the first 5 years after the surgical incision is made, but many develop long afterward. Estimated 65% of hernias develop in the first 5 years after surgery and one in three hernias cause symptoms as shown in a larger prospective study.[3] The late-appearing hernias were smaller than the early ones and caused little trouble. In another large prospective study, the actuarial rate of incisional hernia was shown to be 13% at 5 years, occurring during the first 24 months in 80% of cases.