Optimum repair for massive ventral hernias in the morbidly obese patientis panniculectomy helpful?

Karem C. Harth, Jeffrey A. Blatnik, Michael J. Rosen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

52 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background The appropriate surgical management of morbidly obese patients with symptomatic hernias is not well defined. The authors evaluated the role of simultaneous panniculectomy in complex abdominal wall reconstruction. Methods A retrospective study (20072010) was conducted of morbidly obese (body mass index > 40 kg/m2) patients undergoing open complex abdominal wall reconstruction. Results Thirty patients were identified. Twenty underwent simultaneous panniculectomy. The median pannus weight was 5.2 kg. Greater all-cause postoperative complications and wound-related morbidity occurred in the panniculectomy group (P < .05). Performing a panniculectomy increased the risk for a wound complication by 5-fold (P = .04). Following 7-month to 9-month follow-up, both groups had a recurrence rate of 10%. Conclusion Simultaneous panniculectomy in the setting of complex abdominal wall reconstruction is feasible but associated with significant postoperative morbidity. Its potential for benefit in reducing long-term hernia recurrence remains unclear.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)396-400
Number of pages5
JournalAmerican journal of surgery
Volume201
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2011

Keywords

  • Complex hernia
  • Obesity
  • Panniculectomy
  • Wound complications

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