Hernias- Is it a primary defect or a systemic disorder? Role of collagen III in all hernias- A case control study.

Introduction: The need of this study is to assess the role of collagen III in all hernias which include primary inguinal hernias ventral and recurrent abdominal hernias. Collagen type III represents the mechanically instable, less cross-linked collagen synthesized during the early days of wound healing. Quantitative assessment of collagen III in scar tissue on transversalis fascia as tissue obtained from cases operated for various hernias and compared to that of patients operated for abdominal surgeries for indications other than hernia was compared.

Materials And Methods: In this study we had a total of 90 patients, of which 45 patients underwent mesh repair for the various hernias and 45 patients who underwent laparotomies for various reasons were included as controls. Size of 1 × 1cm transversalis fascia was taken in both subjects and was sent for quantitative assessment using Immunohistochemistry test. All the above cases were randomized as per age,sex,BMI, co morbidities and materials used for repair.

Results: Results were analysed quantitatively and classified into following groups:Based on intensity of staining into Mild, Intermediate and Well stained and based on Quantity of Collagen III into Grade 0---NIL, Grade 1--1-25%, Grade 2-26-50%, Grade 3--51-75%, Grade 4--76-100% (Table 1). In the case group we had 52.4%,35.7% and 11.9% of the cases in Grade 4, Grade 3 and Grade 2 which proved that there was increased presence of Collagen 3, where as 84.4%,4.4% and 11.1% of patients in the control group were classified as Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 0. For the quantitative study -Chi square test value -81.279 and the p value < 0.001. For the intensity of staining -Chi square test value -57.64 and p value is < 0.001.

Conclusion: This study signifies that ventral, recurrent and primary inguinal hernias are not just caused because of a primary defect but an acquired disorder with respect to collagen distribution.