[China Guideline for Diagnosis and Treatment of Incisional Hernia (2018 edition)].

Abdominal incisional hernia is the result of the loss of the integrity and tension balance of the abdominal wall. According to clinical manifestation and physical examination, most incisional hernia can be clearly diagnosed. For small and concealed incisional hernia, the diagnosis can be confirmed by imaging examination. According to size of defect, it can be divided into small, middle, large, and giant incisional hernia. According to location of lesion, it can be divided into incisional hernia in the central or peripheral region of the anterior abdominal wall, in the lateral abdominal wall, and in the back. According to the presence of recurrence, it can be divided into primary and recurrent incisional hernia. Patients with definite diagnosis and suitable for surgical treatment after risk assessment are recommended for elective surgery. For patients who are not suitable for surgery, appropriate abdominal bandages are recommended to limit the development of incisional hernia. Surgical methods:(1) Simple suture repair is suitable for small incisional hernia; (2) Reinforcement repair using materials is recommended for middle incisional hernia or above; (3) When the materials are used in open repair, onlay and sublay methods are usually adopted. (4) IPOM or underlay methods are always adopted when materials are used for laparoscopic repair; (5) Hybrid repair is performed by combining open and laparoscopic techniques; (6) Methods to increase the abdominal cavity capacity include compartmental separation technology(CST) and lateral transverse abdominal muscle release technology (TAR); (7) Abdominal wall reconstruction with muscle fascial flap can be supplemented with mesh. According to the clinical practice of our country in the recent 4 years and based on "China Guideline for Diagnosis and Treatment of Incisional Hernia (2014 edition)", the " China Guideline for Diagnosis and Treatment of Incisional Hernia (2018 edition) " was completed after discussion and consultation with more than 50 experts and scholars in China. The definitions, etiology, pathophysiology, classification, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment were comprehensively updated, and the viewpoints, measures and methods supported by evidence-based medicine were pointed out. The relevant medical institutions and surgeons in China are requested to carry out the guide according to actual clinical reference.