Table 1 Inclusion and exclusion criteria

1. Age ≥ 18 years

2. Previous midline laparotomy

3. No abdominal contamination

4. Grade IA according to Björck's initial classification

1. Grade 1B, 2, 3 and 4 according to Björck's initial classification

2. Primary laparotomy performed through a non-midline incision

3. Age < 18 years

4. Open abdomen

5. If another laparotomy had been performed between the surgery for BA and the end of the follow-up period

6. Concomitant intra-abdominal surgery

7. Abdominal complications during BA

8. Adherent bowel to the defect edge that cannot be separated

9. Presence of intra-abdominal contamination that cannot be drained radiologically

10. History of previous abdominal wound dehiscence repair

11. Stoma exteriorization from the midline primary wound

12. Temporarily wound closure techniques

13. Prior abdominal surgeries other than operation resulted in BA

14. Prior abdominal wall hernia repair with or without mesh

15. Known history of collagen tissue diseases or other related pathologies

16. Previous incisional hernia

17. Patients lost during follow up