Prediction of wound complications in patients with postoperative ventral hernias during implantation of mesh prostheses

Mesh prostheses are used for surgical treatment of postoperative ventral hernias, which becomes an additional risk factor for wound complications. Aim: to determine predictors of wound complications in patients with postoperative ventral hernias after implantation of mesh prostheses. Material and methods. A prospective study of 50 patients with postoperative ventral hernias who underwent mesh implantation was conducted. The patients were divided into two groups: the first group consisted of 39 patients (78%) without wound complications, and the second group consisted of 11 patients (22%) who developed wound complications. Preoperative and postoperative predictors of wound complications were assessed in all patients, as well as complete blood count, C-reactive protein, albumin, and ferritin levels before surgery and on the third postoperative day. Results. Preoperative predictors of wound complications, including age, comorbidities, and hernia size, were not statistically significant. Criteria such as operative time greater than 2 hours, drainage for more than 8 days, and daily wound exudation greater than 100 ml were significant. Among inflammation indicators, albumin and ferritin were statistically significant (p = 0,010). In the group with wound complications, albumin decreased to 35,4 ± 1,8 g/L, and ferritin increased to 357,7 ± 50,5 μg/L. Leukocyte, lymphocyte, neutrophil, monocyte, and C-reactive protein counts were not statistically significant. Conclusions. Thus, for the timely diagnosis of wound complications in patients with postoperative ventral hernias, it is possible to study albumin and ferritin as reliable markers of inflammation after alloplastic operations.

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