Herniorrhaphy in Cirrhosis of the Liver with Ascites

HERNIA is known to be more frequent among patients with cirrhosis of the liver, especially with ascites, than among those without liver disease. Chapman et al.1 reported a rate of 10 per cent in 58 patients without ascites whereas among those with ascites, the figure was 23.8 per cent (47 out of 112 cases). Henrikson2 stated that hernia occurred in 16 per cent (26 out of 162 cases) of patients with cirrhosis (with and without ascites).It is well recognized that surgical procedures, including herniorrhaphy, are often poorly tolerated when cirrhosis is severe. Thus, poor wound healing might be expected . . .