Does a history of wound infection predict postoperative surgical site infection after ventral hernia repair?

Background: Stratification of risks of postoperative wound/mesh infection after hernia repair remains a challenge. We aimed to determine the role of a previous wound infection on surgical site infection in patients undergoing open ventral hernia repair. Methods: All patients undergoing open ventral hernia repair in a clean setting were evaluated from a prospectively maintained database. The primary end point was the development of a postoperative surgical site infection. Results: A total of 146 patients were included in the analysis, and 22 patients had a history of previous wound infection. The rate of surgical site infection did not differ between those with or without a history of wound infection (14% vs 9%; P =.444). Patients with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or smoking were at an increased risk of developing a surgical site infection. Conclusions: For patients undergoing open ventral hernia repair, a history of previous wound infection is not predictive of postoperative surgical site infection.