DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2013.v01i06.0076

Pages: 994-999

Incisional hernia is one of the most common post operative complications of abdominal surgery. Its prevalence varies between 11%- 23%. The recurrence rate of incisional hernia remains high in spite of the many procedures described for its repair and advancement of the measures taken for its prevention. The aim of our study was to evaluate the outcomes of repairing large incisional hernias by a combined fascial flaps reinforced by polypropelene mesh at Ribat university hospital Khartoum, Sudan. A cohort of forty two patients with large incisional hernias, with mean age of 38-year, underwent repair of their incisional hernias by a combined fascial flap and mesh technique, between January 2006 and December 2008. Thirty four (80.9%) were females and 8 males. Thirty one percent (31%) of the hernias were recurrent. The size of the repaired hernias varies between 15 – 25 cm in length and 5 – 10 cm in width. The mean operative time was 2.5 hours and the mean hospital stay 7.9 days. No intra operative complications were recorded and the post operative complications were minor to moderate and controlled by non-surgical measures. The recurrence rate was 2.4% within a mean follow up period of 38 months. In conclusion, the combined fascial flap and mesh technique for repairing large incisional hernias is safe, effective and is followed by a reduced recurrence and complication rates.