Risk factors for recurrence in blunt traumatic abdominal wall hernias: A secondary analysis of a Western Trauma association multicenter study

Background

Few studies have investigated risk factors for recurrence of blunt traumatic abdominal
wall hernias (TAWH).

Methods

Twenty trauma centers identified repaired TAWH from January 2012 to December 2018.
Logistic regression was used to investigate risk factors for recurrence.

Results

TAWH were repaired in 175 patients with 21 (12.0%) known recurrences. No difference
was found in location, defect size, or median time to repair between the recurrence
and non-recurrence groups. Mesh use was not protective of recurrence. Female sex,
injury severity score (ISS), emergency laparotomy (EL), and bowel resection were associated
with hernia recurrence. Bowel resection remained significant in a multivariable model.

Conclusion

Female sex, ISS, EL, and bowel resection were identified as risk factors for hernia
recurrence. Mesh use and time to repair were not associated with recurrence. Surgeons
should be mindful of these risk factors but could attempt acute repair in the setting
of appropriate physiologic parameters.