Incisional hernias in patients with aortic aneurysmal disease: the importance of suture technique.

OBJECTIVE: To study the rate of incisional hernia at 12 months in patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm repair compared with others undergoing other surgery through midline incisions.

METHODS: A prospective study of 1023 patients, 85 of these with aneurysmal disease. Wounds were continuously closed and the suture technique was monitored by the suture length to wound length ratio.

RESULTS: Wound incisions were longer and operations lasted longer in aneurysm patients than in others. Incisional hernia was less common if closure was with a suture length to wound length ratio of at least four. Wounds were closed with a ratio of four or more in 39% (33 of 85) of aneurysm patients and in 59% (546 of 923) of others (p < 0.01). In aneurysm patients no wound dehiscence was recorded, the rate of wound infection was low and incisional hernia occurred in the same amount as in others.

CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that the rate of incisional hernia is similar in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysmal disease and others. Wounds are closed with a less meticulous suture technique in aneurysm patients.