Abstract

Background: Primary abdominal wall hernia is a common condition in adults with diverse clinical manifestations. Classification according to the European Hernia Society (EHS) standardizes lesion assessment and helps guide treatment strategies. This study aims to describe the clinical characteristics and EHS classification of primary abdominal wall hernias in adults.

Methods: A prospective descriptive study was conducted on 57 patients with primary abdominal wall hernias who underwent laparoscopic surgery at Can Tho City General Hospital.

Results: The mean age was 54.35 ± 12.25 years, with females accounting for 59.65%. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 66.67%. An abdominal wall bulge was the most common presenting symptom (73.68%). Incarcerated hernias accounted for 24.56%, with the greater omentum being the predominant hernia content (78.95%). According to the EHS classification, umbilical hernias represented 71.93% and epigastric hernias 28.07%. The mean hernia defect area was 6.79 ± 4.21 cm², with most cases classified as medium-sized defects.

Conclusion: Primary abdominal wall hernias are common in adults, particularly in females and overweight or obese patients. EHS classification shows that most cases are umbilical hernias of medium size, providing value in clinical assessment and treatment planning.