Concomitant Abdominoplasty with Ventral Hernia Repair Versus Ventral Hernioplasty . a Randomized Comparative Prospective Study.

Ventral hernias are very common and do present a challenge because of the risk of recurrence.

Ventral hernias of the abdomen are defined as a non-inguinal, nonhiatal defect in the fascia of the abdominal wall. Annually, there are about 350,000 ventral hernia operations. The repair of these abdominal wall defects is a common surgery performed by general surgeons. Surgery is typically recommended for individuals with acceptable operative risk, symptomatic hernias, or those at elevated risk of developing complications from a hernia. They can affect an individual's quality of life and can lead to hospitalizations and even death in some cases.[1][2][3] Common causes of acquired ventral hernias include previous surgery causing an incisional hernia, trauma, and repetitive stress on naturally weak points of the abdominal wall. These naturally occurring weak points in the abdominal wall include the umbilicus, semilunar line, ostomy sites, bilateral inguinal regions, and esophageal hiatus. Obesity is a large component of hernias as well because it stretches the fascia of the abdomen causing it to weaken. Specifically, the action of repetitive weight gain and loss leads to weakening.[4] Reported recurrence rates after VHR in the literature vary widely and range from 2.7% to 20% for primary ventral hernia (umbilical and epigastric) to 32-37% for incisional hernia repairs, depending on the series in question. (5) Abdominoplasty can be performed in combination with hernia repair in patients with ventral hernias, especially when associated with large midline ventral hernias, diastasis of recti and the associated laxity and abdominal shape deformity, represent aesthetic and functional problems for the patients. So, the surgical treatment of both pathologies at the same time is highly recommended if the patient's general condition permits. This can be achieved by a comprehensive technique incorporating abdominoplasty performed by a transverse lower abdominal incision into any of the hernia repair techniques.(6) The procedure continues to become increasingly popular, and this is attributed to the increasing rates of obesity and subsequent use of weight loss surgery

Aim(s) of the Research (50 words max):

Is to compare the outcome and efficacy of the combined procedure of (abdominoplasty and hernioplasty) to hernioplasty alone according to rate of post operative recurrence of hernia .