Computed tomography scanning and recurrence after laparoscopic ventral hernia repair

Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair is an advancing surgical method. It seems to have fewer recurrences than open surgery. However, with patients suspected of recurrence after laparoscopic hernia repair, it can be very difficult to determine whether or not there is recurrence by clinical examination alone. The purpose of this article is to show that computed tomography is a valuable diagnostic tool in excluding recurrence after laparoscopic ventral hernia repair. A total of 35 patients were included in a prospective study. They underwent laparoscopic ventral hernia repair, and all patients suspected of recurrence were computed tomography scanned. Four patients were suspected of recurrence. They all presented symptoms of swelling or pain or both. The computed tomography scanning did not show the presence of recurrence in any of the 4 cases. Computed tomography scanning can provide exact information about the content of swelling and whether there is recurrence or not. We conclude that computed tomography scanning is suitable as a valid imaging method in doubtful cases considering ventral hernia recurrence after laparoscopic ventral hernia repair.