Introduction: incisional hernia (IH) is one of the most frequent postoperative complications after abdominal surgery. There are multiple surgical techniques described for IH repair. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of primary fascial closure on long-term results in retromuscular hernia repair (RHR) for incisional hernias.

Methods: a total of 132 patients underwent RHR for IH were included in our study. 109 patients were evaluated in 2009 and 55 patients in 2015 for short and long-term results.

Results: among 132 patients perfromed RHR, fascia was closed in 107 (81%) and left open in 25 (19%) patients. The mean age of patients was 57.9 ± 11.8 years. Average mesh area was 439.8 ± 194.6 cm², hernia area was 112 ± 77.5 cm² and open area after repair was 40.8 ± 43.3 cm². Mean follow-up of 104 patients regarding postoperative complications evaluated in 2009 was 30.7 ± 14.1 months. Recurrent IH was observed in 6 (4.5%) patients according to data collected in 2009. Long-term results were; mean follow-up period was 91 ± 20.2 months (20-112 months) and recurrent IH was observed in 4 (7.3%) patients.

Conclusion: retromuscular repair for incisional hernia regardless of the fascial closure gives high patient satisfaction, less recurrence rates and complications in long-term follow-up.