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Smoking is a risk factor for incisional hernia
Lars Tue Sørensen1, Ulla B Hemmingsen, Lene T Kirkeby
1Department of Surgery, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. lts@dadlnet.dk
Archives of Surgery (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)
|February 23, 2005
Summary
Smoking significantly increases the risk of incisional hernia, a serious post-surgical complication. This study identifies smoking alongside other factors like relaparotomy and wound complications as key predictors.
Area of Science:
- Surgical outcomes research
- Abdominal surgery complications
- Hernia pathogenesis
Background:
- Incisional hernia is a common post-surgical complication with unclear pathogenesis.
- Previous studies suggest smoking as a risk factor for wound complications and groin hernia recurrence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between smoking and the development of incisional hernia.
- To identify risk factors contributing to incisional hernia after laparotomy.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study involving clinical follow-up of 310 patients after laparotomy for gastrointestinal disease.
- Assessment of 34 variables, including patient history, clinical condition, and operative factors, using multiple regression analysis.
- Follow-up period ranged from 33 to 57 months post-surgery.
Main Results:
- The incidence of incisional hernia was 26% (81/310).
- Smokers exhibited a four-fold higher risk of incisional hernia (OR, 3.93; 95% CI, 1.82-8.49), independent of other factors.
- Relaparotomy (OR, 5.89), postoperative wound complications (OR, 3.91), older age (OR, 1.04), and male sex (OR, 2.17) were also significant risk factors.
Conclusions:
- Smoking is identified as a significant risk factor for incisional hernia.
- The findings highlight the importance of smoking cessation in reducing incisional hernia risk.
- Incisional hernia risk is multifactorial, influenced by smoking, surgical complications, and patient demographics.