Open vs laparoscopic repair of secondary lumbar hernias: a prospective nonrandomized study

Laparoscopic transperitoneal repair of flank hernias: a retrospective review of 27 patients

INTRODUCTION

Incisional hernias of the flank are rare with scattered case reports regarding the feasibility of laparoscopic treatment. Treatment can be technically challenging due to patient positioning and adequate mesh overlap and fixation. The aim of this study is to describe the surgical technique and present outcomes of the largest known case series of laparoscopic repair of flank hernia.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed from April 2002 to August 2006 at two university hospitals utilizing three surgeons' experience. All patients who underwent a laparoscopic repair of a flank hernia were identified and reviewed with regards to short-term outcomes.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven patients were identified with incisional flank hernia treated laparoscopically. Average defect size was 188 cm(2) repaired with an average mesh size of 650 cm(2). Mean operating room (OR) time was 144 min and mean length of stay (LOS) was 3.1 days. There were two reoperations within the cohort: one for a new, unrelated midline hernia 7 months after repair of the initial flank hernia and one for chronic pain with removal of a previously placed polypropylene mesh in the subcutaneous tissue of the abdominal wall. Neither patient had failure of the laparoscopic flank hernia repair. Two other patients were conservatively treated for chronic pain. Mean follow-up was 3.6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

In the laparoscopic repair of flank hernias adequate retroperitoneal dissection and wide mesh overlap is imperative. Laparoscopic repair can be performed safely and effectively with good short-term outcomes.

Laparoscopic incisional lumbar hernia repair

PURPOSE

Incisional lumbar hernia is an uncommon hernia type. Open surgical procedures have significant postoperative morbidity and patient dissatisfaction, therefore, for the repair of seven incisional lumbar hernias, we attempted using an intraperitoneal laparoscopic technique that was described to have good short-term results and decreased morbidity.

METHODS

We applied a laparoscopic technique using polypropylene meshes in five patients and composite meshes in two patients to cover the defect, then placed prolene sutures and hernia staples to secure the mesh intraperitoneally.

RESULT

The technique was successful in all patients, and they tolerated the procedure well. All did well after surgery, ambulating and eating a regular diet on postoperative day 1. No postoperative complications developed. At a mean follow-up of 34.1 months (range 17-43 months) none of them had pain, mass, or evidence of recurrence, and furthermore, cosmesis was excellent.

CONCLUSIONS

We believe that the laparoscopic approach is feasible, safe, and the least invasive choice for repairing difficult hernias such as incisional lumbar hernias.

Lumbar hernia: anatomical basis and clinical aspects

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study was to describe the anatomy of the two orifices of the abdominal posterior wall where lumbar hernias could appear. They may protrude through the superficial lumbar triangle (JL Petit) or the deepest superior orifice (Grynfeltt).

METHODS

The exact limits were precised by dissections in cadavers to explain the main differences of these two locations. We report two cases of spontaneous lumbar hernias discovered in outpatient clinic.

RESULTS

Clinical diagnosis was difficult and both the patients were sent for lumbar lipoma but a meticulous examination gave us a clue. MRI was useful to confirm the defect in the posterior abdominal wall under the 12th rib. Only one patient was operated by a direct approach with a reinforcement of an unabsorbable mesh. No recurrence appeared during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Thanks to clinical and anatomical knowledge, these rare superior lumbar hernias were diagnosed and a correct surgical treatment permitted a quick recovery.

Primary and unusual abdominal wall hernias

Primary ventral hernias can be congenital or acquired, but are not associated with a fascial scar or related to a trauma. Some ventral hernias such as Spigelian, lumbar, or obturator hernias represent a diagnostic challenge, given their relative rarity and their unusual anatomic locations. The article presents the etiology, clinical presentation, and diagnosis of these hernias, and briefly describes the various surgical approaches, including open and laparoscopic.

Laparoscopic transperitoneal repair of lumbar incisional hernias: a combined suture and 'double-mesh' technique

BACKGROUND

Lumbar hernias that occur after surgery are called lumbar incisional hernias. Recently, laparoscopic repair of these hernias has been reported with excellent outcomes. This is a retrospective study of our series of patients with lumbar incisional hernias.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We managed 11 patients with lumbar incisional hernias from 1996-2006. All the patients had undergone either nephrectomy or pyeloplasty in the past. Laparoscopic suturing of the defect and reinforcement with mesh were successfully performed for all the patients.

RESULTS

There were more males than females, the age range was 42-65 years, and mean operating time was 120 min; discharge was at 1-2 postoperative days. There was no recurrence or mortality. Three cases had seroma, out of which two required aspiration after 60 days.

DISCUSSION

Laparoscopic repair provides all the benefits of minimally invasive surgery, and the principles involved in repair of ventral hernias are applied in lumbar incisional hernias as well. Our technique involved suturing of the defect before placing a mesh over the defect. We theorize that approximating the ends of the muscles restores normal anatomy and results in functional improvement. For the larger hernias, we used two meshes to cover the defect--polypropylene and Parietex, sizes being 15 x 15 cm.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic repair with prosthetic reinforcement is feasible and effective in the treatment of lumbar incisional hernias. Also, suturing of the defect may provide additional benefits.

The clinical anatomy of the triangle of Petit

INTRODUCTION

Hernias through the triangle of Petit (TP) are uncommon. The anatomy of the TP is known to be variable, yet quantitative data are scant.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The triangle was observed in 80 adult cadavers and its dimensions and surface area were measured.

RESULTS

On the basis of surface area we classified the triangles into four types. Type I or small TP, with a surface area of <8 cm2, accounted for 43.7% of our specimens. Type II (26.2%) were intermediate in size, with a surface areas of 8-12 cm2. Type III (12.5%) were large triangles with surface areas >12 cm2. Finally, Type IV (17.5%) were not triangles. In these, the latissimus dorsi was covered by the external abdominal oblique muscle.

CONCLUSIONS

We hope these data will help prediction of which patients are at greater risk of herniation through the TP.

Laparoscopic hernioplasty in secondary lumbar hernias

BACKGROUND

Lumbar hernia is an uncommon defect of the posterior abdominal wall, and surgical treatment is still controversial. The aim of this study was to analyze the utility of the laparoscopic approach in the repair of these hernias.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We undertook a descriptive analysis of 15 patients diagnosed with lumbar hernia who underwent surgery with transabdominal laparoscopy between 1997 and 2004. The following variables were analyzed: clinical data, intraoperative and postoperative complications, operative time, length of hospital stay, analgesic consumption, and recurrences. The technique was evaluated aesthetically by measuring the abdominal perimeter using a tape measure. The mean follow-up was 32 months (range, 12-55 months).

RESULTS

Intraoperative morbidity consisted of two cases of bleeding caused by the mechanical suture. Postoperative morbidity consisted of 3 cases of hematomas, 2 of seromas, and 2 of transitory pain. Seven patients (47%) were treated as day cases, and only one required admission due to pain. At 12-month follow-up we found one recurrence and a significant reduction in abdominal perimeter (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The transabdominal laparoscopic approach offers good clinical and aesthetic results both for the patient and the hospital, as almost half of the cases can be treated as day cases. We believe it should be considered the technique of choice for incisional lumbar hernia repair.

Primary lumbar hernia repair: the open approach

BACKGROUND

Lumbar hernias arise through posterolateral abdominal wall defects, named inferior triangle (Petit) and superior triangle (Grynfelt). Most of the lumbar hernias are secondary to trauma or previous surgery, while primary lumbar hernias are rare. There are two possible surgical approaches: the anterior approach with lumbar incision and the laparoscopic (transabdominal or totally extraperitoneal) approach.

METHODS

We present a series of nine surgical procedures for primary lumbar hernia in 7 adult patients (2 affected by bilateral hernias). Seven were Grynfelt hernias, and two were Petit hernias. All surgical repairs were performed using synthetic mesh placed in the extraperitoneal space, below the muscular layers, using a tension-free technique.

RESULTS

There was no surgical complication, except for 1 case with a subcutaneous haematoma. The mean hospital stay was 2.3 days. All patients returned to normal daily activities within 15 days after surgery. After a median follow-up period of 25 months, there was no case of recurrence or postsurgical sequelae, such as pain or muscular weakness.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary lumbar hernias are rare congenital defects of the abdominal wall. Repair of these rare hernias can be successfully performed via the anterior approach with the use of synthetic mesh - this method of repair is easy, safe, and effective.

Laparoscopic surgery for treatment of incisional lumbar hernia

OBJECTIVE

To present results obtained with laparoscopic correction of incisional lumbar hernia in patients with minimum follow-up of 1 year.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We prospectively studied 7 patients diagnosed with incisional lumbar hernia after physical examination and computerized tomography. We used laparoscopic transperitoneal access through 3 ports. One polypropylene mesh was introduced in the abdominal cavity and fixed by titanium clamps to the margins of the hernia ring following release of the peritoneum.

RESULTS

All cases were successfully completed with no conversion required. Mean surgical time was 120 minutes and discharge from hospital occurred between the 1st and the 2nd postoperative days. There were no intraoperative complications or hernia recurrence in any case. Postoperatively, we had 2 minor complications: one case of seroma that resolved spontaneously after 60 days and one patient presenting lumbar pain that persisted until the 3rd postoperative month. The return to usual activities occurred on average 3 weeks following intervention. Of the 7 patients, 6 were satisfied with the esthetical and functional effect produced by the procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

The surgical correction of incisional lumbar hernia by laparoscopic access is an excellent option for a minimally invasive treatment, with adequate long-term results.