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An incisional hernia occurs when tissue protrudes through a weakened area in the abdominal wall at the site of a previous surgical incision. This type of hernia is commonly a result of postoperative wound dehiscence, where the surgical wound fails to properly heal and reopens, leading to a disruption of the abdominal wall integrity.

In surgical practice, any surgical procedure that involves an abdominal incision carries the risk of developing an incisional hernia if the incision does not heal effectively. Factors such as infection, inadequate closure of the surgical site, tension on the incision, or underlying health issues can contribute to wound dehiscence, increasing the likelihood of this specific type of hernia.

Other types of hernias, such as umbilical, inguinal, and femoral hernias, are not typically related to surgical wounds. Umbilical hernias usually develop due to congenital weaknesses or increased intra-abdominal pressure, inguinal hernias occur in the groin area and can be congenital or acquired, and femoral hernias likewise are often related to defects in the femoral canal area rather than postoperative issues. Therefore, considering the context of postoperative complications, incisional hernias are directly linked to the failure of surgical wound healing.