Anterior component separation versus posterior component separation with transversus abdominus release in abdominal wall reconstruction for incisional hernia

Background
Abdominal wall reconstruction after huge incisional hernias considered one of challenges that face surgeons, component separations, either anterior component separation (ACS) or posterior component separation (PCS) with transversus abdominus release (TAR), are novel and less expensive solutions for this problem.
Aim
This prospective randomized trial compares the results of ACS procedure versus PCS with TAR in repair of incisional hernias.
Patients and methods
This study included 40 patients who underwent surgical repair for midline incisional hernias with defects larger than 5 cm in width between March 2016 and October 2017 at Ain Shams University Hospitals. Patients were randomly assigned to surgical procedures. Patients in group Ι (=20) underwent ACS, and patients in group II (=20) underwent PCS with TAR.
Results
In group Ι (ACS), wound morbidity significantly exceeded that in group II (PCS with TAR) such that 10 (50%) patients in group I developed surgical wound infection compared with four (20%) patients in group II. Regarding wound dehiscence, seven patients in group I had this sequel, whereas two patients in group II had wound dehiscence. Hernia recurrence occurred in seven (35%) patients in group I, but only one (5%) patient in group II developed this.
Conclusion
PCS with TAR provides equivalent myofascial advancement with significantly less wound morbidity and recurrence rate when compared with ACS.