Bibliometric Impact of the Ventral Hernia Working Group's 2010 Publication

Overview

The 2010 Ventral Hernia Working Group (VHWG) publication significantly influenced ventral hernia research, particularly increasing focus on biologic mesh and comorbidities. Bibliometric analysis revealed a marked rise in publications addressing these key topics post-VHWG, highlighting its role in shaping research agendas.

Background

Medical device industries can subtly influence research priorities across healthcare, including hernia repair. The VHWG introduced a 4-level grading system in 2010 to classify incisional hernias based on patient risk factors, recommending biologic mesh for higher-risk grades despite limited trial data at the time. While the publication was widely cited, its effect on research topic prevalence had not been quantified. This study used bibliometric methods to assess how the VHWG paper impacted subsequent ventral hernia literature, focusing on comorbidities and biologic mesh usage.

Data Highlights

Incidence rate ratios (IRR) for topic frequency increase post-VHWG:

Key Findings

• The VHWG 2010 publication was widely cited and had a measurable impact on ventral hernia research topics.
• Publications on ventral hernia repair increased from 1291 pre-2010 to 3041 post-2010.
• Articles mentioning VHWG key topics rose from 172 pre-2010 to 642 post-2010.
• Significant increases were observed in the frequency of the terms "biologic" (IRR 3.39, p=0.022) and "comorbid" in post-VHWG literature.
• The dataset showed heterogeneity, indicating variable effects across different topics.

Clinical Implications

The VHWG classification system has influenced research focus towards patient comorbidities and biologic mesh use in ventral hernia repair. Clinicians should be aware that these topics have gained prominence in the literature, potentially shaping clinical decision-making and guideline development. Understanding the evolving evidence base may aid in optimizing mesh selection and managing patient risk factors.

Conclusion

The 2010 VHWG publication significantly shaped the ventral hernia research landscape by increasing attention to biologic mesh and comorbidities. Bibliometric analysis confirms its role in directing future scientific inquiry in this field.

References

1. LifeCell Corp 2010 -- VHWG Classification System Publication
2. Wu et al. 2019 -- Disruption Index Methodology