CT of complex ventral hernias: a guide to reporting.

Area of Science:

• Abdominal Wall Surgery
• Radiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Complex ventral hernias (CVHs) are large incisional hernias causing significant patient morbidity.
• Increasing incidence due to rising obesity and aging populations necessitates advanced repair strategies.
• Current preoperative CT reporting for CVHs often lacks crucial metrics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive guide for CT reporting in complex ventral hernia assessment.
• To detail essential imaging metrics and their calculation methods for surgical planning.
• To review surgical techniques and mesh plane nomenclature for CVH repair.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on complex ventral hernia imaging and repair.
• Identification of key computed tomography (CT) features for CVH assessment.
• Description of surgical approaches and mesh plane classification.

Main Results:

• CT provides critical data including defect size, muscle quality, and domain loss.
• Standardized reporting should include specific metrics like rectus defect ratio.
• Surgical techniques and mesh plane nomenclature are evolving.

Conclusions:

• Standardized CT reporting is vital for effective complex ventral hernia repair planning.
• Accurate imaging assessment improves surgical decision-making and patient outcomes.
• Multidisciplinary approaches enhance the management of complex ventral hernias.