Abdominal wall hernias after open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: prospective radiographic detection and clinical implications.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of radiographically detected abdominal wall defects (AWD) after open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair and to correlate it with prospectively gathered clinical information. Fine collimation, high-resolution, serial follow-up computed tomography (CT) scans for 99 patients in the control group of the Guidant Ancure device trial were reviewed. CT scans were obtained at 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months. AWDs, defined as discontinuity of the fascial layer with protrusion of abdominal contents, were identified. Clinical information regarding AWDs was retrieved from the study registry. The prevalence of AWD exceeds 20% and plateaus at 24 months. Eight patients (8%) had clinical evidence of ventral incisional hernias. One patient underwent repair, but no other patient developed hernia incarceration or intestinal obstruction or required additional procedures related to the AWD. AWDs are radiographic findings occurring frequently after open AAA repair. Radiographic evaluation is more sensitive than clinical observation for detection of ventral hernias. Clinical events and reinterventions related to these radiographic abnormalities are rare.