Abstract

Objectives: To describe the clinical characteristics and classify incisional abdominal wall hernias in adults according to the European Hernia Society (EHS) classification.

Methods: A prospective descriptive study was conducted on 83 adult patients diagnosed with incisional abdominal wall hernias and treated at Can Tho City General Hospital.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 63.37 ± 10.75 years, with females accounting for 61.45%. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 57.84%. An abdominal wall bulge was the most common reason for hospital admission (81.93%). Incarcerated hernias were observed in 43.37% of cases, and the most frequent hernia content was the greater omentum (57.83%). According to the EHS classification, incisional hernias accounted for 89.16%, while recurrent hernias accounted for 10.84%. Midline hernias were predominant, with the M3 region being the most common location (51.81%). The mean hernia defect area was 19.78 ± 12.49 cm², with most defects classified as W1 and W2.

Conclusion: Incisional abdominal wall hernias are common in older adults, particularly in women, and are associated with a high rate of incarceration and relatively large defect sizes. The EHS classification clearly reflects the complexity of the disease and provides valuable support for clinical assessment and management.