Comparison of the Effectiveness of Ultrasound Imaging and Perioperative Measurement in the Diagnosis and Characterization of Incisional Hernia

BACKGROUND: Incisional hernia (IH) is a common complication after abdominal surgery, and there is no gold standard imaging modality for its diagnosis. Although computed tomography is frequently used in clinical practice, it has limitations such as radiation exposure and relatively high cost. The aim of this study is to establish standardization and hernia typing by comparing preoperative ultrasound (US) measurements and perioperative measurements in IH cases. METHODS: The patients who were operated for IH in our institution between January 2020 and March 2021 were reviewed, retrospectively. In result, 120 patients were included in the study, and the cases had preoperative US images and perioperative hernia measurements. IH was divided into three subtypes as omentum (Type I), intestinal (Type II), and mixed (Type III) according to the defect content. RESULTS: Type I IH was detected in 91 cases, Type II IH in 14 cases, and Type III IH in 15 cases. When the diameters of IH types were compared for preoperative US and perioperative measurements, respectively, there was no statistical significance (P = 0.185 and P = 0.262). According to Spearman correlation, there was a positive very strong correlation between preoperative US measurements and perioperative measurements (ρ = 0.861 and P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: As stated by our results, US imaging can be performed easily and quickly, providing a reliable way to accurately detect and characterize an IH. It can also facilitate the planning of surgical intervention in IH by providing anatomical information.