INCISIONAL HERNIOPLASTY TECHNIQUES: ANALYSIS AFTER OPEN BARIATRIC SURGERY.

BACKGROUND: Rives-Stoppa retromuscular technique: A) polypropylene mesh fixed on the posterior rectus sheath; B) rectus abdominal muscle; C) anterior rectus sheath being sutured. The best technique for incisional hernioplasty has not been established yet. One of the difficulties to compare these techniques is heterogeneity in the profile of the patients evaluated.

AIM: To analyze the results of three techniques for incisional hernioplasty after open bariatric surgery.

METHOD: Patients who underwent incisional hernioplasty were divided into three groups: onlay technique, simple suture and retromuscular technique. Results and quality of life after repair using Carolina's Comfort Scale were evaluated through analysis of medical records, telephone contact and elective appointments.

RESULTS: 363 surgical reports were analyzed and 263 were included: onlay technique (n=89), simple suture (n=100), retromuscular technique (n=74). The epidemiological profile of patients was similar between groups. The onlay technique showed higher seroma rates (28.89%) and used a surgical drain more frequently (55.56%). The simple suture technique required longer hospital stay (2.86 days). The quality of life score was worse for the retromuscular technique (8.43) in relation to the onlay technique (4.7) and the simple suture (2.34), especially because of complaints of chronic pain. There was no difference in short-term recurrence.

CONCLUSION: The retromuscular technique showed a worse quality of life than the other techniques in a homogeneous group of patients. The three groups showed no difference in terms of short-term hernia recurrence.