Does Surgeon Specialty Make a Difference in Ventral Hernia Repair With the Component Separation Technique?

Background Abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR) has evolved with the continued advent of new techniques such as component separation (CS). General (GS) and plastics surgeons (PS) are trained to perform this procedure. Differences in patient population and clinical outcomes between specialties are unknown. Methods Using a national database, patients who underwent incisional/ventral hernia repair managed with CS were grouped according to the primary specialty. Patient demographics, perioperative details, and postoperative complications were compared, and the risk factors associated with clinical outcomes were analyzed. Results A total of 4,088 patients were identified. PS operated more often in the inpatient setting, and patients had a higher prevalence of hypertension and clean-contaminated wounds. Hypertension and being operated by a PS were associated with an increased risk of needing a blood transfusion after CST. Conclusion CS surgical outcomes are similar and comparable specialties. Primary specialty does not affect postoperative complications or 30-day mortality after CS.