An observational study of short- and long-term complications including pain after onlay mesh umbilical hernia repair

BACKGROUND: Information about outcomes for patients who undergo onlay mesh placement for umbilical hernia repair is scarce and the factors that influence adverse outcomes, such as long-term pain, are not well understood. A study of patients undergoing open umbilical hernia repair was undertaken. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent open umbilical hernia repair through a private surgical practice over a 13-year period using either an onlay mesh or suture alone repair were given a questionnaire following surgery to document the incidence of long-term pain or other complications. Data were then analyzed to understand any potential contributors to a poor outcome. RESULTS: The information on 346 patients was available for study. Mesh was used for repair in 327 (94.5%) patients, whereas 19 (5.5%) had suture alone repair. Early (≤30 days) complications were experienced by 73 patients (21.1%). The most common complications were seroma formation (27 patients), wound infection (13 patients), and hematoma (11 patients). Four patients developed a combination of hematoma, infection, and seroma formation. Late (>30 days) complications (other than persistent pain) were recorded for nine patients and were all wound-related problems. Long-term pain was significantly more common in those patients reporting wound complications (odds ratio: 7.01, 95% confidence interval 1.82–26.99). Recurrent umbilical herniation developed in three patients (0.9%). CONCLUSION: Onlay mesh repair for umbilical hernia repair can be performed with low rates of chronic pain and low recurrence rates; however, surgical site occurrences remain common albeit easily treatable.