Obese individuals are at increased risk of recurrence following open closure of midline incisional hernia using retromuscular repair

Aim Obesity is considered a risk factor for recurrence following hernia surgery. However, data on long‐term recurrence following open closure of midline incisional hernia in obese patients are scarce. The present study was designed to investigate the rate of long‐term recurrence in patients with obesity. Patients and Methods This was a single centre retrospective analysis. The outcomes of obese patients were compared with those of patients who were not obese. Outcomes included the duration of surgery, the rate of morbidity and the rate of recurrence. Retromuscular repair was used in all cases. Results The outcomes of 56 obese patients were compared to those of 59 patients who were not obese. No significant differences were seen among both groups with regard to the duration of surgery, length of hospital stay, rate of seroma formation, postoperative haematoma formation and surgical site infection. However, the rate of long‐term recurrence was significantly higher in obese patients (19.9 per cent vs 5.2 per cent, P = 0.04). Conclusion In our retrospective study, obese patients had an increased risk of long‐term recurrence following closure of midline incisional hernia with retromuscular repair.