Abdominal aortic aneurysm and abdominal wall hernia as manifestations of a connective tissue disorder

BACKGROUND

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) and abdominal wall hernias represent chronic degenerative conditions. Both aortic aneurysms and inguinal hernias share common epidemiologic features, and several investigators have found an increased propensity for hernia development in patients treated for aortic aneurysms. Chronic inflammation and dysregulation in connective tissue metabolism constitute underlying biological processes, whereas genetic influences appear to be independently associated with both disease states. A literature review was conducted to identify all published evidence correlating aneurysms and hernias to a common pathology.

METHODS

PubMed/Medline was searched for studies investigating the clinical, biochemical, and genetic associations of AAAs and abdominal wall hernias. The literature was searched using the MeSH terms "aortic aneurysm, abdominal," "hernia, inguinal," "hernia, ventral," "collagen," "connective tissue," "matrix metalloproteinases," and "genetics" in all possible combinations. An evaluation, analysis, and critical overview of current clinical data and pathogenic mechanisms suggesting an association between aneurysms and hernias were undertaken.

RESULTS

Ample evidence lending support to the clinical correlation between AAAs and abdominal wall hernias exists. Pooled analysis demonstrated that patients undergoing aortic aneurysm repair through a midline abdominal incision have a 2.9-fold increased risk of developing a postoperative incisional hernia compared with patients treated for aortoiliac occlusive disease (odds ratio, 2.86; 95% confidence interval, 1.97-4.16; P < .00001), whereas the risk of inguinal hernia was 2.3 (odds ratio, 2.30; 95% confidence interval, 1.52-3.48; P < .0001). Emerging evidence has identified inguinal hernia as an independent risk factor for aneurysm development. Although mechanisms of extracellular matrix remodeling and the imbalance between connective tissue degrading enzymes and their inhibitors instigating inflammatory responses have separately been described for both disease states, comparative studies investigating these biological processes in aneurysm and hernia populations are scarce. A genetic predisposition has been documented in familial and observational segregation studies; however, the pertinent literature lacks sufficient supporting evidence for a common genetic basis for aneurysm and hernia.

CONCLUSIONS

Insufficient data are currently available to support a systemic connective tissue defect affecting the structural integrity of the aortic and abdominal wall. Future investigations may elucidate obscure aspects of aneurysm and hernia pathophysiology and create novel targets for pharmaceutical and gene strategies for disease prevention and treatment.

Traumatic abdominal wall hernia--a case report and literature review

We present a case report and comprehensive literature review of pediatric traumatic abdominal wall hernia caused by a blow from a bicycle handlebar. Traumatic abdominal wall hernia is a rare complication of bicycle handlebar injury. An awareness of this entity will help prevent a missed diagnosis. Operative repair is met with good outcome.

[The role of connective tissue nonspecific dysplasia in postoperative and recurrent abdominal hernias formation]

There were studied the rate of clinical indices diagnosis concerning nondifferentiated form of connective tissue dysplasia (NFCTD) as well as their significance in postoperative and recurrent abdominal hernias formation in 61 patients, ageing 20 - 78 years. It was established, that in 77% of patients the hernia have had formated on a NFCTD background, including in 16.4%--with a mild degree, in 27.8%--moderate degree and in 32.8%--a severe one. The authors recommend while abdominal hernia is present to study a characteristic phenotypical signs of a connective tissue dysplasia and, if more than 4 signs are diagnosed, to prefer the application of alloplastic methods.

Double-mesh technique for correction of abdominal hernia following mammary reconstruction carried out with bipedicled TRAM flap and the primary closing of the donor area by using a single polypropylene mesh

BACKGROUND

Mammary reconstruction by using the transverse myocutaneous flap of the abdominal straight muscle (TRAM) is still an option well accepted in many parts of the world. However, bipedicled TRAM flaps are associated with greater morbidity of the abdominal donor area. The aim of this study was to describe an efficient technique for correcting the delayed defects of the abdominal wall following mammary reconstruction carried out with bipedicled TRAM flaps by using two polypropylene prostheses overlapped in different anatomical planes.

METHODS

At Hospital Estadual Sumaré at Universidade Estadual de Campinas, 18 women who underwent unilateral mammary reconstruction with bipedicled TRAM flaps and immediate fixation of two rectangular flaps of polypropylene mesh on the donor area were assessed. Later on, three patients (16.7%) presented with deformity of the anterolateral abdominal wall in the donor area. Each of these herniations was corrected by fixing two polypropylene meshes in different anatomical planes: the first mesh, which was bigger and preperitoneal, was fixed from the costal borders until the pubis; the second mesh was fixed from the external oblique muscle to the contralateral external oblique muscle, remaking the median line.

RESULTS

All patients were followed up for at least 18 months, without any signs of relapse, abdominal asymmetry, or chronic pain and with satisfactory functional results.

CONCLUSION

The correction of delayed deformities of the abdominal wall after mammary reconstruction with bipedicled TRAM flaps using double mesh was carried out in an effective and secure way, providing an interesting surgical option for mastologists and plastic and general surgeons.

Parastomal hernia repair outcomes in relation to stoma site with diisocyanate cross-linked acellular porcine dermal collagen mesh

PURPOSE

Biologic meshes are increasingly used in parastomal hernia repair. This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of diisocyanate cross-linked acellular porcine dermal collagen mesh for parastomal hernia repair, with particular reference to the relationship of the stoma site to the rectus sheath.

METHODS

Hernias were repaired via a lateral approach, with onlay placement of the biologic mesh. A retrospective case note review and analysis of clinical outcomes was performed. The relationship of the stoma to the rectus sheath was determined by abdominal computed tomography (CT) and intraoperative findings.

RESULTS

Over a 16-month period, 27 consecutive patients, median age 72 years, underwent parastomal hernia repair utilising onlay biologic mesh to reinforce the external oblique aponeurosis. There were 20 paracolostomy and seven paraileostomy hernias. Eleven stomas passed through the rectus sheath and 16 were lateral to it. Recurrences occurred in 3 of 11 stomas within and 12 of 16 stomas lateral to the rectus sheath (P = 0.022). The median time to recurrence was 10.1 months. The median follow up of patients without recurrence was 16.6 months (range 0.2-39.3). There was one perioperative death. One patient developed a superficial post-operative abscess that was managed conservatively, but there were no complications related to the biologic mesh and no mesh required removal.

CONCLUSIONS

For parastomal hernias within the rectus sheath, diisocyanate cross-linked porcine dermal collagen mesh onlay repair gives good results and is safe to use. Repair of a parastomal hernia where the stoma is lateral to the rectus sheath has a significantly higher risk of recurrence and is not recommended.

[The operations of the abdominal hernias with the use propylene material in patients operated due to abdominal aortic aneurysm]

The correlation between abdominal hernias and aortic aneurysm has been well documented in literature. The pathophysiology of aneurysm and hernia formation is seen within the abnormal collagen metabolism, resulting in extracellular matrix defects. This study presents a group of 8 men in the age of 36 to 78 years old (average 63, 5 years old) who underwent both an operation for the aneurysm and for the abdominal hernia. Of the reported 8 patients, 7 had postoperative hernias, where 4 of the cases there were recurrent postoperative hernias. The remaining patient had an inguinal hernia. In 7 cases patients underwent an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) operation and in one case a hepatic artery aneurysm endovascular operation was performed. Due to the fact that postoperative hernias are an immense problem, especially within the group of patient with collagen defects, the area of research and improvement of the materials that are used in prosthetic hernia surgery today needs to progress. This study also presents a short review of the various types of prosthetic materials used in the production of hernial meshes. This is to emphasize the necessity of improving operational techniques to minimize the risk of herniation, especially within a group of patients with collagen defects.

Repair of parastomal hernias with biologic grafts: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Biologic grafts are increasingly used instead of synthetic mesh for parastomal hernia repair due to concerns of synthetic mesh-related complications. This systematic review was designed to evaluate the use of these collagen-based scaffolds for the repair of parastomal hernias.

METHODS

Studies were retrieved after searching the electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane CENTRAL. The search terms 'paracolostomy', 'paraileostomy', 'parastomal', 'colostomy', 'ileostomy', 'hernia', 'defect', 'closure', 'repair' and 'reconstruction' were used. Selection of studies and assessment of methodological quality were performed with a modified MINORS index. All reports on repair of parastomal hernias using a collagen-based biologic scaffold to reinforce or bridge the defect were included. Outcomes were recurrence rate, mortality and morbidity.

RESULTS

Four retrospective studies with a combined enrolment of 57 patients were included. Recurrence occurred in 15.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 7.8-25.9) of patients and wound-related complications in 26.2% (95% CI 14.7-39.5). No mortality or graft infections were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of reinforcing or bridging biologic grafts during parastomal hernia repair results in acceptable rates of recurrence and complications. However, given the similar rates of recurrence and complications achieved using synthetic mesh in this scenario, the evidence does not support use of biologic grafts.

Case report of a traumatic abdominal wall hernia resulting from falling onto a flat surface

This article reports a case of high-energy type traumatic abdominal wall hernia (TAWH) associated with multiple organ injuries including pelvic fractures, liver laceration and ascending colon perforation. The cause of the trauma was falling to the ground from a height of approximately 8 meters. Since the forces affecting the abdomen are unique when falling on a flat surface, the mechanism of defect may be different between a low-energy type handlebar hernia and high-energy type TAWH. Only a few cases of high-energy type TAWH exist in the literature, all reporting falling on or hitting an angled or curved material. To our knowledge, this is the only report of TAWH resulting from falling onto a flat surface. The diagnosis and management are summarized, the literature data are reviewed, and the mechanism of action is discussed.

Small bowel evisceration following removal of an abdominal drain

Drain site small bowel evisceration represents a small but potentially serious risk following abdominal drain removal. We present the case of a patient in whom removal of an abdominal drain was complicated by small bowel evisceration requiring surgical intervention. Strategies for management, consequences and potential preventive measures are discussed.

Iliac crest bone graft harvesting complications: A case of liver herniation

The iliac crest is an easily accessible donor site offering a relatively large and safe supply of bone. There are however possible complications; residual pain frequently, and more rarely herniation. This latter's true incidence is unknown in a literature review, which found 15 articles. We report a case of liver herniation in a 64-year-old overweight lady after harvesting bone from her iliac crest. The clinical diagnosis was confirmed by CT scan. Despite an appropriate surgical repair, the hernia recurred. This serious complication of bone harvesting from the iliac crest, and possible other undesirable events described, prompted reconsideration of our harvesting techniques, and the use in our unit of bone substitutes or cell therapy to fill bone defects.

Handlebar hernia: a rare type of abdominal wall hernia

Traumatic abdominal wall hernias are a type of acquired hernia secondary to blunt trauma Caused, by direct trauma from handlebar like objects. This rare hernia is named 'Handlebar hernia'. We report a case of such hernia without any significant intra-abdominal injury. The abdominal wall defect was repaired in layers by Jones technique. Postoperative course was uneventful. The authors recommend clinical suspicion for traumatic hernia in all patients with traumatic abdominal wall injury. Definitive treatment includes surgical exploration with primary repair of all tissue layers of the abdominal wall.

[Pathogenesis of postoperative lumbar-lateral abdominal hernias and their allohernioplasty]

The results of histological investigation of musculo-aponeurotic tissues of lumbar-lateral abdominal portion were analyzed. There was established, that relaxation and atrophy of these tissues had occurred due to nervous structures and vessels cutting with consequent development of postoperative lumbar-lateral hernias. The plastic material fixation to the bearing structures of lumbar-lateral portion of abdominal wall, specifically to posterior wall of m. rectus abdominis aponeurotic sheath and the twelve rib cartilage constitutes the peculiarity of surgical treatment of postoperative lumbar-lateral abdominal hernias. According to the data of investigation, in 119 of the first group of patients operated on there were no recurrences, in the patients of comparative group, operated on using the standard method of alloplasty, the recurrences had occurred in 8.9% of observations.

[Postoperative abdominal hernias and adhesion peritoneal disease]

In 223 patients, operated on for postoperative abdominal hernia, which had occurred on the peritoneal adhesion disease background, there were studied the rules of an early adhesion ileus formation, depending on severity and localization of the adhesion process. There was elaborated and applied a complex of prophylactic measures, aimed at lowering the risk of such complication occurrence.

[Current trends in the treatment of incisional hernia in patients after kidney transplantation]

The incidence of incisional hernia following abdominal surgery varies between 2 and 13%, the rate of incisional hernia after renal transplantation varies between 1.1 and 3.8%. There are no evidence based guidelines regarding the treatment of incisional hernias in renal transplant recipients. The aim of this study was to compare results of surgical repair of incisional hernia in patients after renal transplantation depending on the treatment method. A Pubmed was searched for articles related to the treatment of patients with incisional hernia after renal transplantation. Finally five articles were used for review. The analyzed papers report a total of 5606 patients in a time period between 1965-2004. Hernia mesh repairs were similar - primary approximation of the fascial borders and polypropylene mesh reinforcement, mainly by on lay technique or by suturing the mesh to fascial edges. Hernia repairs without mesh were diverse: simple closure, component separation technique, tensor fascia late grafts, split thickness skin grafting. Although all authors are concerned about prosthetic mesh use for hernia repair in transplant patients, four of them advise this method. Surprisingly, the incidence of incisional hernia in transplant recipients (1.83%) is no higher than in normal population (2-13%). Hernia recurrence in the analyzed group was 2% for prosthetic mesh repair, and 25% for no mesh repair. Prosthetic mesh repair of incisional hernias after kidney transplantation is a safe technique and starting to displace other methods of treatment.

[Application of a two-layer dynamic self-regulating alloplasty in treatment of patients for giant postoperative abdominal hernia]

A new technique of two-layer dynamical abdominal wall alloplasty was applied in 2005-2008 in 10 patients, ageing (55.3 +/- 12.6) yrs old at average, for giant postoperative abdominal hernia, based on a G. Valenti principle of dynamical self-regulating prosthesis and the method of temporary closure of operation wound, according to Wittmann Patch procedure. It was proved, that introduction of original technique of a two-layer dynamical self-regulating abdominal wall alloplasty permits to escape postoperatively the abdominal compartment syndrome development.

[Prophylaxis of postoperative abdominal hernia]

The problem of postoperative abdominal hernias is enlightened in a principally new way. The differences between hernia and hernial disease pathophysiology are adduced. Postoperative hernia is considered as a sign of a preexisting hernial disease, which may be prognosticated before the operation. The methods of calculation (before the operation) of the hernia occurrence risk are presented. The method of intraoperative prophylaxis of postoperative hernia occurrence was elaborated, the results of its application are adduced.

[Peculiarities of operative treatment of complicated forms of abdominal hernias]

The experience of treatment of 150 patients, suffering complicated forms of postoperative abdominal hernias (PAH), was summarized, In majority of patients the large and giant hernias, on a background of associated diseases, were revealed. It was established that complicated forms of PAH are associated with local or systemic infection component, causing the necessity of complex prophylactic measures conduction. Autoplastic and prosthetic methods of operations were applied; the indications for implantation procedures were elaborated. The analysis of lethality and early postoperative complications rate was conducted. Late results were studied up to ten years after the operation. The hernia recurrence had occurred in 12 (7.8%) patients.

[Inflammatory concept of pathogenesis of postoperative abdominal hernia and prophylaxis of the wound complications after hernioplasty]

The inflammatory concept of postoperative abdominal hernia pathogenesis was proposed, basing on data obtained from clinico-experimental investigations and literature. The concept describes the abdominal wall defect formation, on a background of progressing inflammatory process in a cicatrix area, as an essential factor of risk for the local and systemic inflammatory reaction occurrence after hernioplasty operation, which negatively influences the wound process course. That is why it is necessary to conduct a pathogenetically based measures preoperatively and postoperatively for the wound complications prophylaxis and guaranteeing of the implant optimal integration into tissue of the abdominal wall defect.