# Incisional Hernia Development: Wound Healing Gone Wrong?

## TL;DR

This paper explores why incisional hernias occur after abdominal surgery, focusing on how incisions affect the healing and strength of the abdominal wall.

## Contribution

The paper offers a comprehensive review of the ultrastructure of the abdominal wall and how incisions compromise its mechanical integrity.

## Key findings

- Incisional hernias remain a significant clinical issue despite advances in surgical techniques.
- Understanding the ultrastructure of the abdominal wall is crucial for improving wound healing outcomes.
- The mechanical integrity of the abdominal wall is notably affected by surgical incisions.

## Abstract

Incisional hernia (IH) is a common complication of abdominal surgeries, characterised by the protrusion of abdominal contents through a weakened surgical scar. Despite advancements in surgical techniques and biomaterials, IH remains a significant clinical and economic burden, with recurrence rates reaching up to 32% after repair. This unusually high number, despite many years of research focused on the improvement of surgical techniques, requires a better understanding of the potential origins of IH occurrence. This must implicate the tissues involved in scar formation of the abdominal wall for a better understanding of how these tissues are affected by the incision and what can potentially affect the most optimal wound healing. This work aimed to provide a comprehensive summary of the current knowledge regarding the ultrastructure of the abdominal wall and how incisions affect its mechanical integrity.