Patient Centered Outcomes Among Patients With and Without Ventral Hernia

Several questions exist when looking at ventral hernias:

1. what is the baseline quality of life and abdominal wall function among patients with or without a ventral hernia?
2. what is the clinical significance of a ventral hernia seen on radiography but not on clinical examination (e.g. occult hernia)?
3. what is the natural history of quality of life of patients with and without a ventral hernia?
4. what is the impact of disclosure of presence or absence of a ventral hernia on quality of life?

Answering these questions can provide valuable information on the impact of surgery with or without subsequent ventral hernia on a patient's abdominal wall function and quality of life.