Ventral Hernias Following Cytoreductive Surgery : Incidence, Risk Factors and Surgical Management.

Overview

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS), with or without hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), is currently the standard treatment for advanced peritoneal tumors, including pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP), colorectal, and ovarian peritoneal carcinomatosis. This complex surgical approach involves extensive resections to remove all visible tumor deposits, often followed by heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy to target residual microscopic disease. While CRS ± HIPEC has been shown to improve survival, it is associated with significant postoperative morbidity, particularly affecting the abdominal wall. One of the most frequent and clinically relevant complications is the development of ventral (incisional) hernias, which can reduce quality of life, limit physical activity, and sometimes require additional surgical repair. The incidence, risk factors, and optimal management of ventral hernias after CRS ± HIPEC remain incompletely defined. Reported incidences vary widely, likely due to differences in surgical techniques, patient populations, definitions of hernia, and follow-up duration. Known contributing factors include extensive laparotomies, multiple resections, tissue fragility induced by hyperthermic chemotherapy, and patient-specific factors such as age and body mass index. Additionally, management strategies for ventral hernias are heterogeneous, ranging from direct fascial closure to reinforcement with synthetic or biological meshes, using different surgical approaches (onlay or sublay), with limited evidence in oncologic settings. This single-center retrospective observational study at the Institut Jules Bordet aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of ventral hernia occurrence, risk factors, and management following CRS ± HIPEC. Adult patients who underwent CRS ± HIPEC for PMP, colorectal, or ovarian peritoneal carcinomatosis between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2024, were included. Patients with prior ventral hernias, incomplete follow-up (\<12 months), missing data, or interrupted CRS due to extensive disease were excluded. Hernias were identified via clinical examination and imaging studies (CT or MRI), and classified as early (\<12 months) or late (\>12 months) postoperative events. Patients were categorized according to the presence or absence of ventral hernias at the incision site. The primary objective of the study is to determine the incidence of incisional hernias following CRS ± HIPEC. Secondary objectives include (1) identification of patient-related and surgical risk factors associated with hernia development, and (2) analysis of institutional surgical management strategies, including type of repair and timing of intervention. Data were collected retrospectively from medical records, and statistical analyses include descriptive statistics, survival analysis, and univariate and multivariate regression to identify independent risk factors for hernia development. This study is expected to provide valuable insights into the epidemiology, risk factors, and management of ventral hernias in patients undergoing CRS ± HIPEC, contributing to improved postoperative care, informed surgical planning, and potentially guiding institutional and international recommendations for hernia prevention and repair in this high-risk population. This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the occurrence, risk factors, and management of ventral hernias in patients undergoing CRS ± HIPEC, which may help guide surgical practice and improve postoperative outcomes.