The impact of weight change on intra-abdominal and hernia volumes

Weight loss is often encouraged or required before open ventral hernia repair. This study evaluates the impact of weight change on total, intra-abdominal, subcutaneous, and hernia volume.

Patients who underwent open ventral hernia repair from 2007 to 2018 with two preoperative computed tomography scans were identified. Scans were reviewed using 3D volumetric software. Demographics, operative characteristics, and outcomes were evaluated. The impact of weight change on intra-abdominal, subcutaneous, and hernia volume was assessed using Spearman's correlation coefficients and linear regression models.

A total of 250 patients met the criteria with a mean defect area of 155.6 ± 155.4 cm², subcutaneous volume of 6,800.0 ± 3,868.8 cm³, hernia volume of 915.7 ± 1,234.5 cm³, intra-abdominal volume equaling 4,250.2 ± 2,118.1 cm³, and time between computed tomography scans 13.9 ± 11.0 months. Weight change was associated with change in hernia, intra-abdominal, total, and subcutaneous volume (Spearman's correlation coefficients 0.17, 0.48, 0.51, 0.45, respectively, P ≤ 0.03 all values) and not associated in hernia length, width, or area (P ≥ 0.18 all values). A Δ5 kg was significantly associated with Δintra-abdominal volume (164.1 ± 30.0 cm³/Δ5 kg,P < .0001), Δtotal volume (209.9 ± 33.0 cm³/Δ5 kg, P < .0001), and Δsubcutaneous volume (234.4 ± 50.8 cm³/Δ5 kg, P < .0001). Per Δ5 kg, male patients had more than double the Δintra-abdominal, Δtotal, and Δsubcutaneous volume than did female patients. A weight change of 5 kg to10 kg was associated with approximately double the change in computed tomography parameters/Δ5 kg than any weight change after 10 kg. Regardless of weight change, all measured hernia parameters increased over time, with mean hernia volume of +40.6 ± 94.9 cm³/mo and area of +7.8 ± 13.3 cm²/mo (Spearman's correlation coefficient -0.03 to 0.07, P value 0.37-0.96).

Weight change is linearly correlated with intra-abdominal and subcutaneous fat gain or loss. Males show greater abdominal-related response to weight gain or loss. Hernia dimensions increase over time regardless of weight change.