COMPARISON BETWEEN TECHNIQUES WITH AND WITHOUT MESH IN THE TREATMENT OF INCISIONAL HERNIA

Abstract

Incisional hernia is a frequent complication after abdominal surgery, associated with significant functional impact and reduced quality of life. Surgical treatment is the definitive approach, with techniques using both mesh and non-mesh surgery to correct the abdominal wall defect. Given the diversity of approaches available, this study aimed to compare surgical techniques with and without mesh in the treatment of incisional hernia, analyzing their main clinical outcomes. This is an integrative literature review, conducted through searches in the PubMed/MEDLINE, SciELO, LILACS, and Embase databases, including studies published in the last ten years that addressed the topic in adult patients. The results showed that mesh techniques presented lower recurrence rates compared to non-prosthetic techniques, especially in medium and large hernias. Conversely, a higher incidence of specific postoperative complications was observed, such as seroma, surgical site infection, and chronic pain. Mesh-free techniques demonstrated a lower risk of complications related to prosthetic material, but were associated with higher recurrence rates and the need for surgical reintervention. It is concluded that mesh techniques are, in general, more effective in preventing incisional hernia recurrence, and the choice of surgical approach should be individualized, considering the patient's clinical profile and the characteristics of the hernial defect.