Background: One remaining question in ventral hernia repair is whether to perform concurrent abdominal surgery or plan two-stage procedures. The aim was to explore the risk for reoperation and mortality due to surgical complication during index admission.
Method: Eleven-year data were retrieved from the National Patient Register and 68,058 primary surgical admissions were included, divided into minor and major hernia surgery and concurrent abdominal surgery. Results were evaluated by logistic regression analysis.
Results: The risk for reoperation during index admission was higher for patients with concurrent surgery. Major hernia surgery and major concurrent surgery had an OR 37.9 compared to major hernia surgery only. Mortality rate within 30 days increased, OR 9.32. The combined risk for serious adverse event was accumulative.
Conclusion: These results stress the importance of critically evaluating needs for and planning of concurrent abdominal surgery during ventral hernia repair. Reoperation rate was a valid and useful outcome variable.