Evaluation of risk factors associated with the peritoneal flap hernioplasty for complex incisional hernia repair - a retrospective review of 327 cases

Background: Repair of large incisional hernias is challenging, and the risks of postoperative complications have been associated with obesity, smoking, and diabetes. The present study was conducted to determine the impact of these risk factors on short and long-term outcomes following the repair with the peritoneal flap hernioplasty (PFH). Methods: Three hundred twenty-seven patients undergoing PFH for incisional hernia repair were identified. Patient demographics and clinical data were recorded. Patients presenting signs of complications were assessed during a visit to the outpatient clinic. A multivariable regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between BMI, smoking and diabetes, and postoperative complications. Results: The study included 157 males (48.0%) and 170 females (52.0%). Median BMI was 30.9 kg/m². Diabetes was present in 13.8% of patients. 23.2% were active smokers. The recurrence rate was 2.4%. The odds ratios for postoperative complications were increased by 9% per BMI unit (P < 0.01), due predominantly to a rise in superficial wound infections (P < 0.01) and seroma production (P = 0.07). The adjusted odds ratio increased fourfold in patients with BMI > 40 kg/m² (P = 0.06). Conclusion: Incisional hernia repair with the PFH technique is associated with a low risk of short and long-term complications. The risk is associated with obesity and significantly increased in patients with a BMI exceeding 40 kg/m², where a fourfold increase was observed predominantly due to seroma and superficial wound infections. The recurrence rate was 2.4% and was unaltered across BMI categories. No association was established between smoking, diabetes, and the risk of all-cause complications.