MAYO-DUPLICATION FOR TREATMENT OF INCISIO NAL HERNIAS FOLLOWING CONVENTIONAL LAPAROTOMY - RESULTS OF A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS

About 10% of patients undergoing conventional laparotomy will develop incisional hernias. Traditionally these hernias are in this country mo st often repaired by a Mayo-duplication. In this retrospective analysi s;we investigated a consecutive series of 114 patients (mean age: 53 ( 11-87) years, gender ratio m : f 1,2 : 1, 97% electively operated) wit h 135 hernias, operated between 1/1985 and 12/1992 by a standard Mayo- procedure. Recurrence-rates and quality of life were evaluated by clin ical examination. The mean follow-up time was 5,7 (2,5-10,2) years wit h a follow-up rate of 84,4%. The overall recurrence rate was 53,5%. Fu rther uni-and multivariate analysis was unable to find any clinically relevant risk factors for hernia development. Health related quality o f life was evaluated with a validated index at the time of their follo w-up visit. There were no differences in patients without a hernia rec urrence (n = 52) when compared to those with an actually present recur rence (n = 36). However, physical function of all patients was signifi cantly impaired when compared to healthy individuals. According to our results and those reported by others the Mayo-duplication when applie d to all patients leads to non-acceptable results and implantation of auto-or alloplastic material should be considered more frequently.