The aim was to evaluate outcomes after epigastric hernia repair in women on a nationwide basis. The primary outcome iss recurrence - secondary outcomes are readmission, operation for complication, risk factors for recurrence, and readmittance.

Aim Outcomes after epigastric hernia repair are rarely reported independently. Furthermore, women have the highest prevalence of epigastric hernia repair in the age of 41-50 years.

The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term outcomes after epigastric hernia repairs in women on a nationwide basis.

Methods Nationwide database cohort study using prospectively recorded data from the Danish Hernia Database from women undergoing elective repair for epigastric hernias, during a 4-year period (2018-2021). A 100% follow-up was obtained by combining intra-operative data with data from the National Civil Register (NRC). The primary outcome was operation for recurrence, secondary outcomes were readmission and operation for complications. We compared open vs. laparoscopic repairs, and subgroup analysis were made for open repairs (sutured vs. mesh).

Inclusion Criteria:

• All female patients undergoing elective repair with a laparoscopic or open technique for an epigastric hernia were included.

Exclusion Criteria:

• umbilical or incisional hernias, male patients, recurrent hernia repairs, and hernia repairs performed in relation to other surgical procedures.

all women undergoing repair

all patients undergoing ventral hernia repair in Denmark.