Basic Concepts and Factors Associated With Ventral Hernia Recurrence

Ventral hernias occur commonly and are associated with not infrequent complications and significant recurrence rates often resulting in future procedures. Comprehensive strategies to improve outcomes include preoperative optimization, evidence-based perioperative care, and use of appropriate surgical techniques. Tobacco abuse, obesity, and poorly controlled diabetes have been identified as significant risk factors for poor outcomes in ventral hernia repair and require optimization. The use of immune modulating diet supplements perioperatively may be considered in complex ventral hernia repairs to further outcomes. Recognition of patients with either a history of drug resistant infections or carrier status is necessary to appropriately tailor antibiotic therapy. Appropriate surgical techniques and biomaterial selection for ventral hernia repair further minimizes complications and recurrence rates. The culmination of optimal preoperative care, surgical technique, and postoperative management effectively improves hernia outcomes.