Pooled data analysis of laparoscopic vs. open ventral hernia repair: 14 years of patient data accrual

Incisional hernia is a common complication or consequence of abdominal surgery. In recent published series, the rate of incisional hernia after midline laparotomy has been as high as 20% [23, 26, 29, 33]. Due to recurrence rates as high as 30%, incisional hernias are not only associated with significant morbidity but may represent a significant financial strain on the healthcare system [10, 11]. Over the last decade, mesh-based repair techniques have replaced primary suture repair for most incisional hernia repairs because of an unacceptably high failure rate after primary repair [1, 6, 18, 19]. Nevertheless, open incisional hernia repair is often a major operation, with the associated risks of wound- and mesh-related infections and hernia recurrence. As an alternative approach, laparoscopic incisional hernia repair was developed and first reported in 1991 [16]. This technique is now increasingly used in the management of patients with uncomplicated as well as more complex incisional hernias.