To investigate the method of establishing a porcine abdominal wall incisional hernia model that simulates the clinical situation and its feasibility.

A total of 36 experimental pigs were enrolled, and a porcine abdominal wall incisional hernia model was established by openly removing linea alba and preserving the peritoneum. The abdominal bulge and growth of the pigs was observed every week after the operation, and the formation time of abdominal wall incisional hernia was determined. Laparoscopic combined with open surgery was performed at 3 months after modeling, and the size of the abdominal wall aponeurosis defect was measured ( long diameter, short diameter and area of the defect ). In experimental pigs with incisional hernias, the hernia ring was repaired using simple suture. Recurrence of abdominal wall incisional hernia was observed weekly after repair. To verify whether the model of abdominal incisional hernia can simulate the pathophysiology of clinical incisional hernia.

After modeling, all 36 pigs moved well and did not die. All the pigs grew well after modeling, and all 36 pigs developed abdominal bulges and abdominal wall incisional hernias on palpation about 1 month after modeling. The hernia ring was repaired with simple suture under laparoscopic combined with open surgery at 3 months after modeling, and all pigs showed hernia recurrence about 1 month after repair (average 25 d), and the abdominal wall hernia modeling was successful. The long diameter, the short diameter, and the area of the hernia ring at the time of modeling were greater than those of the abdominal wall defect, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05).

An effective and stable model of pig abdominal wall incisional hernia can be established by using the modeling method presented in this paper. It can simulate the pathophysiology of clinical incisional hernias without self-healing tendencies.