Simultaneous umbilical hernia repair in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Is obesity a risk factor for recurrence?

Srijit Das 
 Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Correspondence Address:
Srijit Das
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia

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Sir,

I read with interest the article entitled 'Laparoscopic cholecystectomy accompanied by simultaneous umbilical hernia repair: A retrospective study'. [1] Umbilical hernias, mostly acquired, are more common in adults in the fifth or sixth decade of life with obesity and multiparity as important associated factors. [2] The authors have reported good results, but have mentioned about a high-recurrence rate amongst patients with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m 2 . These results are in contradiction of a previous study that reported a lack of correlation between BMI and risk of recurrence of umbilical hernia. [3] The relationship between obesity and the risk of recurrence could have been better elicited, had the authors carried out determination of serum leptin levels in the study subjects. It is well known that this hormone produced by adipocytes may often help in measuring the adiposity. [4] Several factors influence the development of umbilical hernia. Selection of cases from one or more geographical area may also influence the results. Surgical technique and BMI may not be the only factors in the development of recurrence.

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