Abstract
PurposeHernias severely impact patient quality of life (QoL), and 80% of patients require a surgical operation. Moreover, hernias are responsible for respiratory function alterations. This study aims to investigate the postoperative alterations in respiratory function after open ventral hernia repair in patients with incisional hernia.MethodsPatients operated on at the Policlinico “Paolo Giaccone” at Palermo University Hospital between January 2015 and December 2016 were identified in a prospective database. Fifty-one patients were enrolled in the study. The respiratory outcome measures used were forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, peak expiratory flow (PEF) and PEF percentage (%PEF). The timepoints at which the parameters listed were assessed were t0, 1 week before the surgical operation; t1, 12 months later; and t2, 3 years later.ResultsThe difference between mean preoperative and postoperative PEF was significant [t0 4.32 (4.03–7.92), t1 6.7 (4.27–8.24) with p = 0.012 and t2 6.5 (4.25–8.21) with p = 0.026]. The %PEF increased from 75% preoperatively to 87% at t1 (p = 0.009) and to 85% at t2 (p = 0.03). No differences were found in the comparison of pre- and postoperative FVC, FEV1 or FEV1/FVC ratio.ConclusionThe improvement in respiratory measures suggests the importance of abdominal wall restoration to recover functional activity of respiratory function.
Highlights
The estimated incidence of incisional ventral hernia is approximately 20%, increasing to 40% in high risk populations [1].The indications for surgical operation are pain, functional limitations and poor appearance due to bulging
This study aims to investigate the postoperative alterations in respiratory function after open ventral hernia repair
Between January 2015 and December 2016, a total of 180 patients were admitted to the Policlinico “Paolo Giaccone” Hospital and underwent a surgical operation for incisional ventral hernia repair
Summary
The estimated incidence of incisional ventral hernia is approximately 20%, increasing to 40% in high risk populations [1]. The indications for surgical operation are pain, functional limitations and poor appearance due to bulging. Surgery should provide anatomical restoration of the abdominal wall, but should improve pulmonary and postural functions. The magnitude of this field of interest is significant, as 80% of patients require surgical operation [2]. Incisional ventral hernia is responsible for considerable anatomical and physiological alterations in the skeletal muscle system, resulting in alterations in quality of life (QoL). The presence of incisional ventral hernia could be responsible for significant alterations in respiratory mechanism functions [3]
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