Using quilting sutures in decreasing seroma formation after managing large ventral hernias: a comparative study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate using quilting sutures in a prospective randomized controlled manner the decrease in the incidence of seroma formation among patients subjected to ventral hernia repair.

METHODS: The study was a prospective randomized controlled study. 370 patients with large ventral hernias were randomly distributed among two groups. Group A (control group) included 180 patients in whom the repair was done without quilting sutures. Group B (quilting group) included 190 patients, all performed with quilting. Method of dissection was unified as far as possible. All cases had an attached closed suction drain that was removed after two successive days of output ≤ 50 cc. The output of the suction drain was recorded; accumulation of clinically detected seroma after 1, 2 and 4 weeks of removal of the drain was monitored.

RESULTS: There was no statistical difference between both groups as regards the demographic data and the hernia characteristics. There was significantly smaller amount of output of the drains in every day of the first five postoperative days as well as the total amount of the output before drain removal in favor of the quilting group. Drains were removed earlier in group B. The incidence of clinically detected seroma was less in group B as well.

CONCLUSIONS: Quilting sutures is an effective and easy technique to reduce post-ventral hernia seroma accumulation.