Background: Incisional hernia in patients electively operated on the abdominal aorta is common.
Methods: Patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm and with aorto-iliac occlusive disease (n = 231) operated at Tromsø University Hospital between 1992 and 1998 were identified. Data were obtained from patient files and from a postal questionnaire sent to 172 patients and returned by 140 (85%).
Results: Mean follow-up time was 3.5 years; 49 out of 140 patients (35%) had incisional hernia, 42 of these had been operated for aneurysm and seven for occlusive disease. Patients operated for aneurysm had an increased risk of developing incisional hernia (OR 3.1, p = 0.03). Obesity and smoking were associated risk factors. The hernias appeared earlier in patients with aorta aneurysm than in patients with occlusive disease (p < 0.01). A large proportion of the patients reported discomfort due to their hernias.
Interpretation: Abdominal aorta aneurysm seems to be associated with alterations in the connective tissue. Incisional hernia is a significant source of morbidity in patients operated for abdominal aortic aneurysm.