Table 1.

EuraHS definitions of ventral abdominal wall hernias

The abdominal wall	The abdominal wall is the musculo-fibrous covering of the abdomen containing the abdominal contents
Abdominal wall hernia	An abdominal wall hernia is an abnormal protrusion of the contents of the abdominal cavity or of pre-peritoneal fat through a defect or weakness in the abdominal wall
Ventral hernia	A ventral hernia is a hernia of the abdominal wall excluding the inguinal area, the pelvic area and the diaphragm
Primary ventral hernia	A primary ventral hernia is a ventral hernia that was present at birth or that developed spontaneously without trauma to the abdominal wall as the cause of the hernia
Umbilical hernia	A primary ventral hernia with its centre at the umbilicus
Epigastric hernia	A primary ventral hernia close to the midline with its centre above the umbilicus
Spighelian hernia	A primary ventral hernia in the area of the fascia Spigelian aponeurosis
Lumbar hernia	A primary ventral hernia in the lumbar area
Secondary ventral hernia	A secondary ventral hernia is a ventral hernia that developed after a traumatic breach of the integrity of the abdominal wall
Incisional ventral hernia	A ventral hernia that developed after surgical trauma to the abdominal wall, including recurrences after repair of primary ventral hernias
Traumatic ventral hernia	A ventral hernia that developed after non-surgical penetrating or blunt trauma to the abdominal wall
Acute post-operative ventral hernia	An incisional hernia resulting from an abdominal wall dehiscence, either complete (with skin dehiscence) or incomplete (covered with intact skin) within 30 days after the operation
Parastomal hernia	An incisional hernia through the abdominal wall defect created during placement of a colostomy, ileostomy or ileal conduit stoma