Evaluate the improvement in post-operative quality of life of incisional hernia patients repaired by conventional ventral hernioplasty with regards to physical pain, Functional ability and cosmesis

Background: Incisional hernia (IH) is a frequent complication of open abdominal surgery. Patients with Incisional hernia present with symptoms such as pain, discomfort, limitation of routine activities, skin problems, strangulation of hernia content etc. It is one of the most frequent long-term complications of abdominal surgery and it continues to be a significant problem for patients as well as surgeon.
Methodology: The study was conducted at R. G. Kar Medical College & Hospital; Department of General Surgery. 50 elective patients having ventral hernia who have undergone conventional open ventral hernioplasty were included in the study. All the patients were given a Questionnaire initially in the pre-operative stage and subsequently in the 1st and 7th post-operative day and later on during 1st month and 6th months of post-operative follow up.

Results: In our study pain was the major concern of the incisional hernia patients. Initially 14% of patients were free of pain and rest 86 % were symptomatic for some pain. 14% out of these were having severe pain preoperatively. At one-month post-operative follow up in our series 11 (22%) remained symptomatic for mild to moderate pain. After 6 months of follow up number of patients having pain remains approximately the same. 11(22%).

Conclusion: By 6 months, postoperative symptoms (pain, activity limitation, and overall QOL) are significantly better when compared with preoperative findings and 1-month follow-up levels.