Can breath analysis predict hernia recurrence?

Rationale

Hernia recurrence is observed in 0-52% of the ventral hernia patients, depending on the complexity of the hernia, method of repair and experience of the surgeon. Previous studies have shown that patients who develop hernia recurrences are likely to have a different ratio of collagen I and III, predispositioning then for hernia recurrence. If these patients could be identified in a reliable, low cost, non-invase manner this could effect pre-operative planning, technique for hernia repair and follow-up length.

Exhealed breath contains many volatile organic compounds (VOC) that can be measured using non-specific sensors. These sensors can build a patern or statistical model of the exhaled breath in the effected patients. Building the model will take 25 cases and an equal number of controls.



Objective:

- wheter the eNose can recognise a patern in recurrent hernia patients and descriminate then from healthy controls.



study design:

Observational study using 25 recurrent hernia patients and 25 healthy controls

Can the eNose Aerekaprobe be used to create a prediction model based on 25 patients with ventral hernia recurrence?

None, patients with a hernia recurrence now or in the past can both be included. Patients need to be 'tested' only once.

None