Patient Centered Outcomes Study

Several questions exist when looking at ventral hernias: 1. what is the baseline quality of life and abdominal wall function among patients with or without a ventral hernia? 2. what is the clinical significance of a ventral hernia seen on radiography but not on clinical examination (e.g. occult hernia)? 3. what is the natural history of quality of life of patients with and without a ventral hernia? 4. what is the impact of disclosure of presence or absence of a ventral hernia on quality of life? Answering these questions can provide valuable information on the impact of surgery with or without subsequent ventral hernia on a patient's abdominal wall function and quality of life.