Management of a primary ventral incisional hernia: a survey of the International Hernia Collaboration

A social media group, the International Hernia Collaboration (IHC), facilitates professional development among surgeons interested in hernia disease. The purpose of this study was to assess practice pattern differences among IHC surgeon members regarding a ventral incisional hernia (VIH) scenario. A single multiple-choice question, posted for 1 month on the IHC, assessed which operation was preferred for a healthy patient with a symptomatic, reducible primary VIH (5 x 6 cm). Responses were compared by surgeon practice location (US vs. World). In total, 371 IHC surgeons completed the survey. More respondents practicing in the US completed the survey (57.1% vs. 42.9%, P < 0.01). Respondents in the US cohort would select a robotic-assisted approach more frequently than World colleagues (47.6% vs. 8.8%, P < 0.01). More IHC surgeons in the US cohort would offer a robotic-assisted approach for primary VIH repair compared to World colleagues. Studies are warranted to investigate practice pattern differences related to VIH repair.