Simultaneously Ventral Hernia Repair with Abdominoplasty: A Feasible Approach

Purpose: Repair of ventral hernias still represents a challenge and, in some cases, patients present a concomitant abdominal wall laxity and an excess of skin and subcutaneous fat. The association of ventral hernia repair and abdominoplasty remains controversial. The aim of this study is to present our experience in the association of ventral hernia repair and abdominoplasty, both in open surgery and in laparoscopy. Methods: In this retrospective study, 12 patients were operated with simultaneously hernia repair and abdominoplasty, between January 2018 and January 2023. Patients were followed to monitor incidence of complications and hernia recurrence. There were 4 hernias treated laparoscopically and 8 hernias treated laparotomically. Mean defect size was 8.6 cm in width and 9.8 cm in length. There were 4 giant midline ventral hernia. Mean BMI was 31 kg/m2 (range 21-44) and the mean operative time was 165 minutes (range 120-224 minutes). The mean postoperative length of hospital stay was 8.7 days, ranging from 4 to 31 days. Results: No mortality or major complications encountered. There were 2 (16%) wound complications occurred in obese patients: 1 subcutaneous seroma treated with Vacuum Assisted Closure® (VAC) therapy and 1 subcutaneous hematoma, that was evacuated. No patients suffered wound infection. After a mean follow-up of 812 days, 1 (8,6%) recurrence was registered. Conclusion: We believe that the simultaneous approach, consisting in ventral hernia repair combined to abdominoplasty, is an effective and safe technique for reconstruction of patients with abdominal hernia and simultaneously excess of skin and subcutaneous fat.