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Walk the evidence base by book and chapter — the raw source passages that ground Ask, Differential, and the rest.
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BACKGROUND: Consensus lacks concerning management of ventral hernia in women who are, or might become pregnant. The aim of this systematic review was to examine the risk of recurrence following pre-pregnancy ventral hernia repair, and secondly the prevalence of ventral hernia during pregnancy and the risk of surgical repair pre- and post-partum. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library and Web of Science were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials, case-control, cohort studies and larger case-series on ventral (umbilical, epigastric or incisional) hernia repair in relation to pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: If possible, elective ventral repair should be postponed until after last pregnancy. A non-mesh repair seems appropriate for smaller primary ventral hernia in women who plan future pregnancies. Umbilical hernia during pregnancy seems very rare and seldom requires repair pre- and post-partum. Routine practice of umbilical hernia repair in combination with cesarean section cannot be recommended. PROSPERO: CRD42017073736.