A systematic review of randomized controlled trials and reviews in the management of ventral hernias.

Background: The literature supporting ventral hernia management is growing; however, it is unclear whether the quality of work is improving. We hypothesize that the quality of clinical ventral hernia research has improved over the past 2.5 decades.

Mesh Location in Open Ventral Hernia Repair: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis.

There is no consensus on the ideal location for mesh placement in open ventral hernia repair (OVHR). We aim to identify the mesh location associated with the lowest rate of recurrence following OVHR using a systematic review and meta-analysis. A search was performed for studies comparing at least two of four locations for mesh placement during OVHR (onlay, inlay, sublay, and underlay).

Preoperative Glycosylated Hemoglobin and Postoperative Glucose Together Predict Major Complications after Abdominal Surgery.

Background: Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is diagnostic of and a measure of the quality of control of diabetes mellitus. Both HbA1c and perioperative hyperglycemia have been targeted as modifiable risk factors for postoperative complications. The HbA1c percent cutoff that best predicts major complications has not been defined.

Development and validation of a risk stratification score for ventral incisional hernia after abdominal surgery: hernia expectation rates in intra-abdominal surgery (the HERNIA Project).

Background: Ventral incisional hernias (VIH) develop in up to 20% of patients after abdominal surgery. No widely applicable preoperative risk-assessment tool exists. We aimed to develop and validate a risk-assessment tool to predict VIH after abdominal surgery.

Laparoscopic repair reduces incidence of surgical site infections for all ventral hernias.

Background: The role of laparoscopic repair of ventral hernias remains incompletely defined. We hypothesize that laparoscopy, compared to open repair with mesh, decreases surgical site infection (SSI) for all ventral hernia types.

Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were reviewed to identify studies evaluating outcomes of laparoscopic versus open repair with mesh of ventral hernias and divided into groups (primary or incisional).

Primary fascial closure with laparoscopic ventral hernia repair: systematic review.

Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR) has grown in popularity. Typically, this procedure is performed with a mesh bridge technique that results in high rates of seroma, eventration (bulging), and patient dissatisfaction. In an effort to avoid these complications, there is growing interest in the role of laparoscopic primary fascial closure with intraperitoneal mesh placement.