Laparoscopic repair of large incisional hernias

Evaluating mesh fixation techniques for ventral hernia repair: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised control trials

INTRODUCTION

There is uncertainty regarding the optimal mesh fixation techniques for laparoscopic ventral and incisional hernia repair.

AIM

To perform a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised control trials (RCTs) to investigate the advantages and disadvantages associated with absorbable tacks, non-absorbable tacks, non-absorbable sutures, non-absorbable staples, absorbable synthetic glue, absorbable sutures and non-absorbable tacks, and non-absorbable sutures and non-absorbable tacks.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed as per PRISMA-NMA guidelines. Odds ratios (ORs) and mean differences (MDs) were extracted to compare the efficacy of the surgical approaches.

RESULTS

Nine RCTs were included with 707 patients. Short-term pain was significantly reduced in non-absorbable staples (MD; -1.56, confidence interval (CI); -2.93 to -0.19) and non-absorbable sutures (MD; -1.00, CI; -1.60 to -0.40) relative to absorbable tacks. Recurrence, length of stay, operative time, conversion to open surgery, seroma and haematoma formation were unaffected by mesh fixation technique.

CONCLUSION

Short-term post-operative pain maybe reduced by the use of non-absorbable sutures and non-absorbable staples. There is clinical equipoise between each modality in relation to recurrence, length of stay, and operative time.

Assembled anti-adhesion polypropylene mesh with self-fixable and degradable in situ mussel-inspired hydrogel coating for abdominal wall defect repair

Construction of assembled anti-adhesion polypropylene mesh through in situ coating with self-fixable and degradable hydrogels.

Current Status and Challenges of Laparoscopy in Ventral Hernia Repair

Laparoscopic repair of ventral hernias gained strong popularity in the late nineties with some of the early enthusiasm lost later in time. We review the current status and challenges of laparoscopy in ventral hernia repair and best practices in this area. We specifically looked at patient and hernia defect factors, technical considerations that have contributed to the successes, and some of the failures of laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR). Patients best suited for a laparoscopic repair are those who are obese and diabetic with a total defect size not to exceed 10 cm in width or a "Swiss cheese" defect. Overlap of mesh to healthy fascia of at least 5 cm in every direction, with closure of the defect, is essential to prevent recurrence or bulging over time. Complications specifically related to surgical site occurrence favor the laparoscopic approach. Recurrence rates, satisfaction, and health-related quality of life results are similar to open repairs, but long-term data are lacking. There is still conflicting data regarding ways of fixating the mesh. The science of prosthetic material appropriate for intraperitoneal placement continues to evolve. The field continues to be plagued by single author, single institution, and small nonrandomized observational studies with short-term follow-up. The recent development of large prospective databases might allow for pragmatic and point-of-care studies with long-term follow-up. We conclude that LVHR has evolved since its inception, has overcome many challenges, but still needs better long-term studies to evaluate evolving practices.

Laparoscopic ventral/incisional hernia repair: updated Consensus Development Conference based guidelines [corrected]

BACKGROUND

The Executive board of the Italian Society for Endoscopic Surgery (SICE) promoted an update of the first evidence-based Italian Consensus Conference Guidelines 2010 because a large amount of literature has been published in the last 4 years about the topics examined and new relevant issues.

METHODS

The scientific committee selected the topics to be addressed: indications to surgical treatment including special conditions (obesity, cirrhosis, diastasis recti abdominis, acute presentation); safety and outcome of intraperitoneal meshes (synthetic and biologic); fixing devices (absorbable/non-absorbable); abdominal border and parastomal hernia; intraoperative and perioperative complications; and recurrent ventral/incisional hernia. All the recommendations are the result of a careful and complete literature review examined with autonomous judgment by the entire panel. The process was supervised by experts in methodology and epidemiology from the most qualified Italian institution. Two external reviewers were designed by the EAES and EHS to guarantee the most objective, transparent, and reliable work. The Oxford hierarchy (OCEBM Levels of Evidence Working Group*. "The Oxford 2011 Levels of Evidence") was used by the panel to grade clinical outcomes according to levels of evidence. The recommendations were based on the grading system suggested by the GRADE working group.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

The availability of recent level 1 evidence (a meta-analysis of 10 RCTs) allowed to recommend that not only laparoscopic repair is an acceptable alternative to the open repair, but also it is advantageous in terms of shorter hospital stay and wound infection rate. This conclusion appears to be extremely relevant in a clinical setting. Indications about specific conditions could also be issued: laparoscopy is recommended for the treatment of recurrent ventral hernias and obese patients, while it is a potential option for compensated cirrhotic and childbearing-age female patients. Many relevant and controversial topics were thoroughly examined by this consensus conference for the first time. Among them are the issue of safety of the intraperitoneal mesh placement, traditionally considered a major drawback of the laparoscopic technique, the role for the biologic meshes, and various aspects of the laparoscopic approach for particular locations of the defect such as the abdominal border or parastomal hernias.

Laparoscopic repair of incisional and ventral hernias with the new type of meshes: randomized control trial

Introduction

Laparoscopic incisional and ventral hernia repair (LIVHR) was first reported by Le Blanc and Booth in 1993. Many studies are available in the literature that have shown that laparoscopic repair of incisional and ventral hernia is preferred over open repair because of lower recurrence rates (less than 10%), less wound morbidity, less pain, and early return to work.

Aim

To identify the long-term outcomes between the different types of meshes and two techniques of mesh fixation, i.e., tacks (method Double crown) and transfascial polypropylene sutures.

Material and methods

A total of 92 patients underwent LIVHR at our department between January 2009 and August 2012. The hernias were umbilical in 26 patients, paraumbilical in 15 patients and incisional in 51 patients. All patients admitted for LIVHR were randomized to either group I (tacker fixation of ePTFE meshes) or group II (suture fixation of meshes with nitinol frame) using computer-generated random numbers with block randomization and sealed envelopes for concealed allocation.

Results

The mean mesh fixation time was significantly higher in the tacker fixation group (117 ±15 min vs. 72 ±6 min, p < 0.01). There were no conversions in either group. The median postoperative hospital stay was 3.5 ±1.5 days. All patients were followed up at 1, 3, 6, 12 and every 6 months thereafter postoperatively. There were 5 recurrences in the study population. In group I there were 4 patients with recurrence, and only 1 patient in the group with meshes with a nitinol frame.

Conclusions

Meshes of the new generation with a nitinol framework can significantly improve laparoscopic ventral hernia repair. The fixation of these meshes is very simple using 3–4 transfascial sutures. The absence of shrinkage of these meshes makes the probability of recurrence minimal. Absence of tackers allows postoperative pain to be minimized. We consider that these new meshes can significantly improve laparoscopic ventral hernia repair.

The Regionalization of Ventral Hernia Repair: Occurrence and Outcomes over a Decade

Ventral hernia repairs (VHRs) have always been considered standard general surgery cases. Recently, there has been a call for “Centers of Excellence.” We sought to investigate outcomes and trends between high- and low-volume centers. The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) data were analyzed from 1998–1999 (T1) and 2008–2009 (T2) for all VHRs. Hospitals were stratified into high-, medium-, and low-volume centers (HVC/MVC/LVC). Demographics, comorbidities, and outcomes were compared. Surgical cases totaled 22,771 in T1 and 37,044 in T2. In T1, 34.3 per cent were performed in HVC versus 64.2 per cent in T2 ( P < 0.0001). LVC cases decreased between eras: 32.6 versus 16.1 per cent ( P < 0.0001). Comorbidities and emergent admissions increased with time ( P < 0.0001). Mortality was similar in both eras and between volume centers. Length of stay was less in LVC in T2 only (4.2 vs 4.8 days, P < 0.0001). Total charges were higher in HVCs in both eras ( P < 0.0001). These remained significant in T2 in multivariate regression (MVR). Hospital volume was not associated with most complications or death in either era with MVR. Charlson comorbidity score, age, and emergent admission were predictors of complications and death. Regionalization has occurred for VHRs. However, most complication and mortality rates are unrelated to volume and are linked to comorbidities, age, and emergencies.

Laparoscopic ventral incisional hernia repair: evidence-based guidelines of the first Italian Consensus Conference

PURPOSE

The laparoscopic treatment of ventral incisional hernias is the object of constant attention and is becoming increasingly widespread in the international scientific-surgical community; however, there is ample debate on its technical details and indications. In order to establish a common approach on laparoscopic ventral incisional hernia repair, the first Italian Consensus Conference was organized in Naples (Italy) on 14-15 January 2010.

METHODS

The format of the Consensus Conference was freely adapted from the standards of the National Institute of Health and the Italian Health Institute. The parties involved included the followings: a Promotional Committee, a Scientific Committee, a group of Experts, the Jury Panel and a Scientific Secretariat.

RESULTS

Eleven statements, regarding three large chapters on the indications, the technical details and the management of complications were drafted on the basis of literature references collected by the Scientific Committee, documents developed by the Experts, reports presented and discussed during the Consensus Conference, and discussion among the members of the Jury.

CONCLUSIONS

The laparoscopic approach is safe and effective for defects larger than 3 cm in diameter; old age, obesity, previous abdominal operations, recurrence and strangulation are not absolute contraindications. Ensuring an adequate overlap, careful adhesiolysis and correct fixing of the prosthesis are among the technical details recommended. Complications and recurrences are comparable to, and in some cases, less numerous than with the open approach.

Laparoscopic treatment of incisional hernia. State of the art in 2012

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this review is to evaluate the results of laparoscopic treatment of ventral hernias using intra-peritoneal prosthetic mesh through a review of published surgical series.

METHODS

All large series of patients treated for an incisional hernia by laparoscopy and published between 2002 and 2011 were identified. The results of controlled randomized series comparing this technique with open surgical repair were analyzed.

RESULTS

Twenty-two series with a total of 7057 patients were analyzed (range 51-1242); the mean Body Mass Index (BMI) was 32 (range: 28.5-46), and the mean size of the hernia defect was 10.6 cm (range: 6-14.9 cm). The mean rate of conversion to open surgical repair was 2.7%. Mean operative duration was 90 ± 33 minutes. Mortality was 0.8%, usually due to an unrecognized intestinal injury (1.6%), which occurred more frequently with second or iterative hernia repairs. Hospital stay averaged 2.5 days. The infection rate was 0.3% and the rate of hernia recurrence was 4.6% (with a mean follow-up of 36 months). No statistically significant differences were found in terms of post-operative complications or hernia recurrence in the randomized studies comparing laparoscopic to open anterior abdominal surgical repair. However, duration of hospital stay was shorter after laparoscopy in some studies.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic repair of ventral incisional hernia is technically feasible and reliable for large hernia defects, even in obese patients. This approach should be reserved for patients with no history of previous hernia repair in order to avoid the risk of intestinal injury. It appears to allow for a shortened duration of hospitalization.

Laparoscopic versus open hernia repair: outcomes and sociodemographic utilization results from the nationwide inpatient sample

INTRODUCTION

The differences and advantages of laparoscopic (LVHR) and open ventral hernia repair (OVHR) have been debated since laparoscopic hernia repair was first described. The purpose of this study is to compare LVHR and OVHR with mesh in the United States using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS).

METHODS

The NIS, a representative sample of approximately 20% of all inpatient encounters in the United States, was queried for all ventral hernia repairs with graft or prosthesis in 2009 using ICD-9-CM codes. The patients were stratified into LVHR and OVHR groups. Sociodemographic data, comorbidities, complications, and outcomes were compared between groups.

RESULTS

A total of 18,223 cases were documented in the NIS sample after inclusion and exclusion criteria were met. LVHR was performed in 27.6% of cases. There were no statistically significant differences in gender or mean income by zip code of residence. Mean age (58.8 years in open group vs. 58.1 years, p = 0.014) and mean Charlson score (0.97 vs. 0.77, p < 0.0001) differed significantly between groups. OVHR more often was associated with emergent admissions (21.7 vs. 15.2%, p < 0.0001). There were significant differences comparing outcomes between groups: complication rate (OVHR: 8.24 vs. LVHR: 3.97%, p < 0.0001), average length of stay (5.2 vs. 3.5 days, p < 0.0001), total charge ($45,708 vs. $35,947, p < 0.0001), frequency of routine discharge (80.8 vs. 91.1%, p < 0.0001), and mortality rate (0.88 vs. 0.36%, p = 0.0002). After controlling for confounding variables with multivariate regression, all outcomes remained significant between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who have undergone LVHR with mesh had fewer complications, shorter length of stay, lower hospital charges, more frequent routine discharge, and decreased mortality compared with those who received open repair. Patient comorbidities, selection bias, and emergency operations may limit the number of patients who receive laparoscopic ventral hernia repair. Regionalization studies may better illuminate the low rates of laparoscopic surgery.

Comparison of long-term outcome and quality of life after laparoscopic repair of incisional and ventral hernias with suture fixation with and without tacks: a prospective, randomized, controlled study

BACKGROUND

Technique of mesh fixation in laparoscopic incisional hernia repair is a matter of debate. Literature is lacking in randomized trials comparing various methods of mesh fixation. This study was designed to compare the cost-effectiveness and long-term outcomes following the two methods of mesh fixation.

METHODS

A total of 110 patients were randomized to tacker mesh fixation or suture mesh fixation. Patients with nonrecurrent hernias with defect size ranging from 2 to 5 cm were included. The cost and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was calculated. SF-36v2 health survey was used for quality-of-life analysis. Patients were followed up at regular intervals, and return to activity and satisfaction scores were recorded.

RESULTS

Demographic profile and hernia characteristics were comparable between the two groups. Operation time was significantly higher (p < 0) and early postoperative pain at 1 h, 6 h, and 1 month was significantly lower in the suture group. There was no significant difference in the incidence of chronic pain and seroma formation over a mean follow-up of 32.2 months. Cost of procedure was significantly higher in group I (p < 0.001). Suture fixation was found to be more cost-effective than tacker fixation. Postoperative quality of life outcomes were similar in the two groups. Among return to activity parameters, time to resumption of daily activities and starting climbing stairs were significantly shorter in the suture group.

CONCLUSIONS

The suture fixation method is a cost-effective alternative to tacker fixation in patients with small- to medium-sized defects in laparoscopic incisional and ventral hernia repair. Suture fixation is better than tacker fixation in terms of early postoperative pain and return to activity. The two procedures are equally effective regarding the recurrence rates, complications, hospital stay, chronic pain, quality of life determinants, and patient satisfaction.

Sutureless laparoscopic ventral hernia repair in obese patients

Results of this study show that laparoscopic ventral herniorrhaphy as an outpatient procedure without transfascial suture fixation is feasible in obese patients.

Background and Objective:

Transfascial sutures (TFS) are a standard component of laparoscopic ventral herniorrhaphy (LVHR) that contribute to the durability of repair, but also pain and, resultantly, hospital stay. We sought to examine LVHR without TFS in obese patients with small abdominal wall hernias.

Methods:

Between September 2002 and December 2007, 174 patients underwent LVHR at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Patients with BMI >30kg/m² and small primary abdominal wall hernias were eligible for repair without TFS. Correlation between BMI, defect surface area, operative time, and postoperative stay was assessed.

Results:

Fourteen patients underwent LVHR with no TFS, 2 with normal BMI and recurrent hernia after open repair and 12 with BMI>30 kg/m² and primary small hernia. Mean age was 38.8 years. The average defect size was 5.3cm²; mean operative time (OT) was 42 minutes. Eleven patients (92%) were discharged home the day of surgery. No infectious or bleeding complications occurred. One patient required chronic pain management, and 8 patients (67%) developed seromas that resorbed spontaneously. There was no hernia recurrence at 7-month follow-up.

Conclusion:

LVHR is feasible without TFS provided the hernia defect is small. Surgery can be performed on an outpatient basis in obese individuals with minimal postoperative morbidity.

SILS Incisional Hernia Repair: Is It Feasible in Giant Hernias? A Report of Three Cases

Aim. Three incisional ventral abdominal wall hernias were repaired by placing a 20 × 30 cm composite mesh via single incision of 2 cm. Methods. All three cases had previous operations and presented with giant incisional defects clinically. The defects were repaired laparoscopically via single incision with the placement of a composite mesh of 20 × 30 cm. Nonabsorbable sutures were needed to hang and fix the mesh only in the first case. Double-crown technique was used in all of the cases to secure the mesh to the anterior abdominal wall. Results. The mean operation time was 120 minutes. The patients were mobilized and led for oral intake at the first postoperative day. No morbidity occurred. Conclusion. Abdominal incisional hernias can be repaired via single incision with a mesh application in experienced centers.

Emergency laparoscopic treatment of acute incarcerated incisional hernia

BACKGROUND

The emergency treatment of incisional hernias can be accomplished by a laparoscopic approach in order to avoid the common complications following open techniques.

METHODS

From January 2001 to September 2007, we performed 48 emergency laparoscopic treatments of incarcerated hernias.

RESULTS

In our hospital, 320 patients with incisional hernia and 65 patients with primary abdominal wall hernia were treated laparoscopically. Forty-eight patients (30 females and 18 males) underwent emergency surgery. The mean operative time was 62 min (range 45–80 min). The average length of hospital stay was 4 days (range 3–6 days). We had eight post-surgical seromas, all of which were treated successfully by needle aspiration. We saw no mesh sepsis and no metabolic or surgical complications. We had no recurrence nor the need for a second operation. Mortality was nil.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this series prove the feasibility of emergency laparoscopic surgery in incarcerated incisional hernias using new-generation meshes.

Long-Term Outcomes with Transfascial Sutures versus Tacks in Laparoscopic Ventral Hernia Repair: A Review

Although most surgeons report using both transfascial sutures and laparoscopically placed tacks to secure prostheses in laparoscopic ventral hernia repair, a significant minority have reported large series in which sutures were omitted. A systematic review of the available literature was conducted for large case series and controlled trials documenting long-term follow-up. Forty-three articles were identified, including 6015 patients whose prostheses were secured with transfascial sutures (with or without tacks), and 2450 patients receiving tacks or staples alone. The mean follow-up time reported was 30.1 months. No significant difference was found in rates of hernia recurrence, mesh removal, prolonged postoperative pain, patient body mass index, or hernia defect size between the two groups. The suture group did experience a significantly higher rate of surgical site infection. Although suture tensile strength is greater than that of tacks, and despite numerous anecdotal reports of hernia recurrence secondary to suture failure or omission, the existing literature does not show superiority of one mesh fixation technique over the other for recurrence, whereas infection rates increase when transfascial suture is used.

A prospective randomized study comparing suture mesh fixation versus tacker mesh fixation for laparoscopic repair of incisional and ventral hernias

INTRODUCTION

After the first report of laparoscopic incisional and ventral hernia repair (LIVHR) in 1993, several studies have proven its efficacy over open method. Among the technical issues, the technique of mesh fixation to the abdominal wall is still an area of debate. This prospective randomized study was done to compare two techniques of mesh fixation, i.e., tacker with four corner transfascial sutures versus transfascial sutures alone.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

68 patients admitted for LIVHR repair (defect size less than 25 cm2) were randomized in two groups: group I, tacker fixation (36 patients) and group II, suture fixation (32 patients). Various intraoperative variables and postoperative outcomes were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS

The patients in the two groups were well matched in terms of age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and hernia characteristics. Mean BMI was 29.0 kg/m2. Operative time was found to be significantly higher in group II (77.5 versus 52.6 min, p=0.000). Patients in group I were found to have significantly higher pain scores at 1 h, 6 h, 24 h, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively. At follow-up, incidence of seromas was higher in group II but the difference was not significant (7 versus 4, p=0.219). During long-term follow-up, patients in group II were satisfied cosmetically.

CONCLUSION

Suture fixation is a cost-effective alternative to tacker fixation, for small and medium-sized defects in anatomically accessible areas. However, suture fixation requires significantly longer operation time, but patients have statistically significantly less postoperative pain.

Technique of Laparoscopic Ventral Hernia Repair Can Be Modified to Successfully Repair Large Defects in Patients With Loss of Domain

Background. Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR) can be challenging in patients with large abdominal wall defects and loss of domain (LOD). When hernia contents are reduced, the pneumoperitoneum preferentially fills the sac, leaving no space for mesh manipulation. This study presents a modification for LVHR in LOD patients, as well as outcomes for a series of patients. Methods. Between September 2002 and August 2004, 10 patients with large ventral hernias and LOD underwent attempts at LVHR. The technique is modified by placing additional trocars to allow for fixation from above the mesh. Patient data were harvested from a prospective database and analyzed. Results. All hernias were recurrent in nature. Mean defect size was 626 cm2, requiring 1 to 4 pieces of sutured Gore Dualmesh for a tension-free repair. Three patients' procedures were aborted after adhesiolysis, with concerns about missed enterotomies. All 3 underwent delayed mesh placement within the same hospitalization. Only 2 were successful. The third patient had significant bowel edema precluding mesh placement. Two patients were converted to open repairs (Rives—Stoppa and component separation). There were no mortalities, but there were 2 major complications: inferior vena cava thrombosis and transient abdominal compartment syndrome. In follow-up (7.7 months) there were 2 recurrences secondary to excision of infected mesh. Conclusion. It is possible to obtain a successful LVHR in patients with large defects and LOD. The technique is complex and is modified to allow for mesh fixation from above the mesh. Frequent change in patient positioning allows for visualization below the fascial defect.

Laparoscopic management of incisional hernias > or = 15 cm in diameter

BACKGROUND

Despite good results in terms of safety and minimal recurrence ensured by laparoscopy in the management of incisional hernias, the use of minimally invasive techniques for large incisional wall defects is still controversial.

METHODS

Between 2002 and 2008 as many as 36 patients with abdominal wall defects > or = 15 cm were managed laparoscopically in our institution. The wall defects were > or = 20 cm in eight cases. The diameter of parietal defects was measured from within the peritoneal cavity. None had loss of domain. Body mass index (BMI) for 18 patients was > or = 30 kg/m(2).

RESULTS

The mean duration of operations was 195 +/- 28 min (range 75-540). One patient needed conversion for ileal injury and massive adhesions. Post-operative complications occurred in nine patients; there were six surgical complications. Morbidity in obese and non-obese patients was not statistically different (p > 0.05). There was no postoperative death. Mean hospital stay was 4.97 +/- 3.4 days (range 2-18). Mean follow up was 28 months (range 2-68) and only one hernia recurrence was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Minimum-access procedures can provide good results in the repair of giant incisional hernia. Obesity is not a contraindication to laparoscopic repair. Further studies are expected to confirm our promising results.

Minimally invasive ventral herniorrhaphy: an analysis of 6,266 published cases

BACKGROUND

Over 300,000 ventral abdominal wall hernias are repaired each year in the United States; many of these operations are done with a minimally invasive approach. Despite these numbers, there are few controlled data that evaluate the minimally invasive method of ventral hernia repair.

METHODS

A review of over 6,000 published cases of minimally invasive ventral herniorrhaphy was performed in order to determine major outcome statistics for this procedure.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up period was 20 months. The operative mortality was 0.1%. The mean recurrence rate (weighted) was 2.7%, and the major complication rate (mostly bowel injury and infection) was 3%.

CONCLUSION

The results from published cases of minimally invasive ventral herniorrhaphy appear to be competitive with the historical results of open ventral herniorrhaphy. The major caveats of this review are that most of the data are (1) retrospective/uncontrolled and (2) obtained from specialized centers.

Choice of mesh for laparoscopic ventral hernia repair

BACKGROUND

Surgical treatment of ventral hernias has changed dramatically over the past decades by the introduction of laparoscopy and prosthetic biomaterials for reinforcement of the abdominal wall. There are many meshes available on the market for laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR), and new meshes are introduced regularly. Experimental and clinical documentation for safety and efficacy are, however, often not available for the clinician. The choice of mesh may therefore be difficult in clinical practice. We present a review of the current literature regarding safety measures such as adhesions, fistulas, and infections as well as the available data on pain, recurrence, mesh shrinkage, and seroma formation after LVHR.

METHODS

The literature was searched systematically using PubMed/MEDLINE and EMBASE for controlled studies, prospective descriptive series and retrospective case series.

RESULTS

The literature clearly points in the direction of very few mesh-related complications after LVHR. Experimental studies and theoretical considerations may argue for using a covered mesh, i.e., a composite mesh, or ePTFE for LVHR in humans, although it is important to stress that there are no human data at the moment to support this. Concerns about using pure polypropylene mesh in the intraperitoneal position may be re-evaluated with the experience of lightweight macropore meshes from open surgery in mind. There is a tendency towards greater shrinkage in ePTFE-based meshes but no differences seems to exist between different mesh materials in other relevant outcome parameters from clinical series.

CONCLUSIONS

The literature cannot give general recommendations for choice of mesh based on randomized controlled trials. The final choice of mesh for LVHR will therefore typically be based on surgeons' preference and cost while we await further data from randomized controlled clinical trials.

Laparoscopic versus open incisional hernia repair

BACKGROUND

Incisional hernia is a common complication of abdominal surgery, and it is often a source of morbidity and high costs for health care. This is a case-control study to compare laparoscopic versus anterior-open incisional hernia repair.

METHODS

170 patients with incisional hernia were enrolled in this study between September 2001 and December 2004. Of these, 85 underwent anterior-open repair (open group: OG), and 85 underwent laparoscopic repair (laparoscopic group: LG). The clinical outcome was determined by a median follow-up of 24.0 months for LG and OG.

RESULTS

No difference was noticed between the two groups in age, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, body mass index (BMI), and incisional hernia diameter. Mean operative time was 61.0 min for LG patients and 150.9 min for OG patients (p < .05). Mean hospitalization was 2.7 days for LG patients and 9.9 days for OG patients (p < .05). Mean return to work was 13 days (range, 6-15 days) in LG patients and 25 days (range, 16-30 days) in OG patients. Complications occurred in 16.4 % of LG patients and 29.4 % of OG patients, with a relapse rate of 2.3% in LG and 1.1% in OG patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Short-term results indicate that laparoscopic incisional hernia repair is associated with a shorter operative time and hospitalization, a faster return to work, and a lower incidence of wound infections and major complications compared to the anterior-open procedure. Further studies and longer follow-up are required to confirm these findings.

Optimum Mesh And Port Sizes for Laparoscopic Incisional Hernia Repair

PURPOSE

Since incisional hernia repair was introduced into laparoscopic surgical practice it has been recognized that larger meshes can be problematic to successfully insert through laparoscopic ports. This study aims to facilitate the choice of mesh and port by documenting the minimum port sizes realistically needed for insertion of different types and sizes of onlay mesh. It also aims to evaluate the optimal insertion techniques.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using four specified insertion techniques--simple roll, a tight roll along the longest edge; diagonal roll, a tight roll along the longest axis; roll and bind, the optimal roll with an additional vicryl tie as binding; and unprepared, grasped by the corner, the diagonal length of the mesh is presented head-on to the port--two independent investigators attempted insertion of different sizes of four onlay meshes--DualMesh (1 mm and 1.5 mm), Surgisis Gold, and Permacol--down 10- to 18-mm Endopath and Versaport ports positioned within a sham abdomen. The maximum mesh sizes used were DualMesh, 34 x 26 cm; Surgisis Gold, 22 x 13 cm; and Permacol, 10 x 10 cm. Two types of ports were used, Endopath ports which have an integral seal and Versaport ports with a removable seal.

RESULTS

The largest mesh widths successfully passed down 18-, 12-, 11-, and 10-mm ports, respectively, were: DualMesh 1 mm--26, 17, 15, and 13 cm; Surgisis Gold--13, 13, 13, and 10 cm; DualMesh 1.5 mm--26, 15, 12, and 9 cm; and Permacol--10, 10, 10, and 7 cm. The novel roll and bind insertion technique showed improved insertion than the simple roll technique alone for the biological meshes.

CONCLUSION

Small differences in mesh size and type can lead to marked changes in optimal port size. The availability of a guide such as the one produced by this study in the operating room will help surgeons to plan and select appropriate combinations of ports and meshes, potentially reducing intraoperative delays.

Prospective clinical study of laparoscopic treatment of incisional and ventral hernia using a composite mesh: indications, complications and results

The aim of this study is to establish the indications, safety, efficacy, feasibility and reproducibility of the laparoscopic technique in treating defects in the abdominal wall, including those of large dimensions, to standardise the surgical technique and to confirm the performance of the composite prosthesis used (Parietex, Sofradim). The study encompassed the period from January 2001 to December 2004 and included 178 nonselected patients (108 women and 70 men), with an average age of 56 years (range: 26-77 years) and an average body mass index (BMI) of 30 (range: 26-40). These patients were treated for either abdominal hernia (156 patients; 89.7%) or a primary defect (22 patients; 10.3%). The dimensions of the abdominal hernias treated varied from 4 to 26 cm (average: 12.1 cm). All patients were treated using the laparoscopic technique, and all meshes were placed in the intraperitoneal position. Eleven (7%) postoperative complications arose after an average follow-up period of 29 months (range: 1-48 months): seven seromas (4.4%) lasting for 4 weeks, with one becoming infected after being punctured repeatedly; we removed the infected prosthesis by laparoscopy; three (1.9%) patients with persistent neuralgia, which were resolved after 2 months with a prescription for FANS; one patient with a haematoma at the trocar site. There were also four recurrences (2.5%), all of which occurred between 1 and 3 months postsurgery: one in the 'small' group of abdominal hernias (less than 9 cm) and three in the 'large' group of abdominal hernias. With the exclusion of any primary defects, an adhesiolysis was carried out in 99.3% of the patients. In seven cases (4.4%) we carried out a raphe for speritonealisations of loops in the small intestine; in four patients (2.5%), following tenacious adhesion (one patient) and loops fixed to the previous scar by stitches (three patients), we carried out an intestinal perforation (ileus) which was sutured by laparoscopy. The average operating time was 65.6 min (range: 28-130 min), with an average postoperative period in the hospital of 2.1 days (range: 1-5 days). No conversion was observed, and mortality was zero. The results obtained during the clinical trial demonstrate the safety and efficacy of the laparoscopic technique and of the mesh used as well as the reproducibility of the technique in the intraperitoneal treatment of congenital and postincision defects in the abdominal wall, including those of large dimensions.

Traitement cœlioscopique des éventrations. Étude prospective non randomisée de 51 éventrations

AIM OF THE STUDY

Insertion of a mesh in treatment of incisional hernias reduces the risk of recurrence. A single prospective randomized trial have compared laparoscopic and open approach: there were less postoperative complications and fewer recurrences in the laparoscopic group. Aim of this prospective trial was to control these results.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From January 2000 to May 2005, 51 consecutive incisional hernias were operated on by a laparoscopic approach. Incisional hernia was single in 41 and double in 5. It was median in 41 and lateral in 10. Previous hernia repair was noticed in 33.3%. Main criteria was recurrence. We have considered whether one of the following criteria was associated with the risk of recurrence: sex, obesity, previous repair, pre and preoperative sizes of the hernia, uni or multi orificial aspect of the hernia, median or lateral location, mesh size, ratio mesh surface/hernia surface. Others were postoperative mortality and morbidity, duration of hospitalisation and occurrence of late events.

RESULTS

At 2 years all patients were followed. Follow up achieved 3 years in 23 cases and 4 years in 9. Recurrence was observed in 7 (13.7%). None predictive factor was disclosed. No death occurred. Median postoperative pain score at D1, D2 and D3 was respectively 3.1+/-1.9, 2.9+/-2.3 and 2.3+/-2.1. Mean postoperative stay was 4.1+/-1.9 days. Seven postoperative complications occurred, al benign. During follow-up 18 events were noticed and of these 8 were chronic abdominal pain.

CONCLUSION

This technique could be employed for every type of incisional hernia but peristomial hernias (not assessed in this study) and every patient. Technical improvements ought to be find to reduce recurrence rate.

Safety of laparoscopic ventral hernia repair in older adults

The published recurrence rate after laparoscopic ventral hernia repair is much less than the rate of recurrence via the open approach. Studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of this procedure but have had relatively young patient populations. We present our experience in a significantly older population. A retrospective chart review of all patients undergoing a laparoscopic ventral hernia repair at our institution from May 2000 to September 2004 was performed. Data extracted from charts included demographics, number and type of previous abdominal operations, number of previous hernia repairs, defect and mesh size, postoperative complications, and follow-up. Ninety-seven patients underwent laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (50 men and 47 women). The mean age was 68.5 years (37-85 years) with 78% of patients over the age of 60. Patients had undergone a mean of 2.1 prior abdominal operations. Thirty-five (36%) patients had undergone a mean of 1.8 previous open hernia repairs; 54% with mesh. The mean length of stay was 3.4 days (0-31 days). Thirty-three minor complications occurred in 27 patients. Six major complications occurred in five patients. Three patients required reoperation. Thirty-one percent of patients complained of pain at a transabdominal suture site 6 weeks after surgery. Nine percent of patients had seromas lasting longer than 6 weeks. Two recurrences occurred during follow-up and two patients required mesh removal. There were no deaths. Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair can be performed safely in patients regardless of age. Length of stay and overall complications are not affected by age. Long-term follow-up is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of LVHR in this patient population.

Laparoscopic incisional hernia repair: a review of the literature

Incisional hernia is a common long-term complication of abdominal surgery. Historically the open repair with or without mesh was the mainstay of treatment. However, many recently published laparoscopic repair studies have challenged surgeons to re-evaluate which technique provides the best short and long-term outcomes. A Medline search of all English-language literature was performed using the keywords 'incisional', 'ventral', 'hernia', 'laparoscopic', and 'open'. Further references were obtained by cross-referencing the bibliography in each paper. Current evidence suggests that the laparoscopic incisional hernia repair is the optimal surgical treatment. A laparoscopic repair appears to shorten hospital stay, decrease perioperative complication rates, and decrease recurrence rates. However, there is no randomized trial utilizing a standardized complication grading system making it difficult to draw a definitive conclusion as to which repair is best.

A short-term delayed approach to laparoscopic ventral hernia when injury is suspected

Laparoscopic repair is a safe and effective method for treating ventral hernias. Although the risk of bowel injury is low, its management is controversial. When injury is suspected or repaired, the risk of infection might prohibit a repair with prosthetic mesh. The timing of safe mesh placement is unclear. We retrospectively reviewed 9 patients from our prospective laparoscopic ventral hernia database who were treated with a 2- to 6-day delay in mesh placement due to violation of the gastrointestinal tract or risk of unidentified or delayed injury. All 9 patients had large ventral hernias from previous laparotomies (average defect, 399.4 cm2) and presented for elective repair. Three of the patients were morbidly obese, and one was diabetic. The decision to delay mesh placement was made intraoperatively. Reasons for delay were colotomy with repair, extensive serosal tears, resection after enterotomy, and resection for chronic small bowel obstruction. All patients received broad-spectrum antibiotics while awaiting definitive repair. In 7 patients, mesh was successfully placed between postoperative days 2 and 6. Delayed mesh placement failed in 2 patients due to loss of domain with bowel edema. The average length of stay was 9 days (range, 6 to 15 days) and average follow-up was 136 days (range, 36 to 303 days). No early mesh infections or other major complications were reported. A short delay of 2 to 6 days with antibiotic coverage is a safe strategy for managing potential or recognized injury to the gastrointestinal tract during laparoscopic ventral hernia repair.

Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair with the Goretex Dualmesh: long-term results and review of the literature

Since 1993 laparoscopy has become a popular technique of repair of ventral hernias. The authors review the long-term results of a systematic laparoscopic repair of ventral hernias and discuss the current problems compared to open repair. Between 1997 and 2003, 146 patients had a laparoscopic ventral hernia repair using an intraperitoneal Goretex Dualmesh with a 3-5-cm mesh overlap secured with a combination of nonabsorbable sutures and staples. A total of 155 attempts of laparoscopic repair was performed with four conversions. The 151 laparoscopic operations were completed in 105.8 min with a mesh implant being of 341 cm(2). There were two postoperative deaths and two patients had to be reoperated on. Mesh infection was diagnosed in two cases. Mean length of stay was 4.9 days. During a follow- up of 26.6 months eight patients (5.8%) developed a recurrence. Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair is a reproducible technique. Most of the comparative studies have shown an overall lower rate of complications after laparoscopic repair compared to open but with a 2-4% risk of bowel injury. The two other benefits of the laparoscopy are reduced postoperative pain and shorter hospital stay. The recurrence rate is usually between 2 and 7% but no difference has been found compared to open repair. Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair using the Goretex Dualmesh is a reliable operation with a low rate of conversion to open. Despite the risk of serious bowel injury, laparoscopy achieves as good results as the mesh open repair on the long term with the benefit of a decreased complication rate and a shorter hospital stay.

Laparoscopic incisional and ventral hernia repair: complications-how to avoid and handle

Complications will occur with any operative procedure. The possibility of this must be considered for laparoscopic incisional and ventral hernia repair (LIVH) as well. The most commonly reported of these include: intraoperative intestinal injury (1-3.5%), infection involving the prosthetic biomaterial (0.7-1.4%), (2.6-100%), postoperative ileus seromas (1-8%), and persistent postoperative pain (1-2%). The incidence of enterotomy can be reduced by careful dissection and judicious use of any energy source. Infection can be minimized by the use of perioperative antibiotics, an antimicrobially impregnated biomaterial, and careful manipulation of the prosthesis during the procedure. Seromas are so common that they should be expected but can be decreased by the use of a postoperative abdominal binder. Aspiration will be necessary in a few instances. Similarly, ileus is expected when there is significant bowel dissection and bleeding. Early ambulation and standard use of postoperative bowel care will aid in the treatment of this problem. Persistent pain will generally occur at the site of a transfascial suture. It cannot be predicted or prevented with certainty. When it occurs, local injection with bupivacaine, steroids, or non-steroidal agents will help, but occasionally, removal of the offending suture(s) will be required. The average recurrence rate for LIVH is approximately 5.6% in the literature. Rates as high as 15.7%, however, have been reported. Recurrence will be increased by inadequate prosthetic overlap of the fascial defect, infection that involves the biomaterial, which then requires its removal, and lack of the use of transfascial sutures. To prevent these risks, the surgeon must assure that there is at least a 3-cm overlap of all portions of the hernia defect and insist that sutures are used at 5-cm intervals to fix the biomaterial. Infection that requires explantation of the patch will generally result in recurrence, as this must be repaired primarily. Alternatively, the use of a collagen prosthesis may allow immediate repair, but this is associated with a high failure rate. A staged repair will be necessary in the future in most patients.

Mesh-related infections after hernia repair surgery

Clinicians have been challenged in the past few years by an increasing variety of novel non-infectious and infectious complications following the widespread use of meshes after open or laparoscopic repair of hernias. The possibility of a mesh-related infection occurring weeks or even years after hernia repair, should be considered in any patient with fever of unknown origin, or symptoms and/or signs of inflammation of the abdominal wall following hernia repair. The reported incidence of mesh-related infection following hernia repair has been 1%-8% in different series, and this incidence is influenced by underlying co-morbidities, the type of mesh, the surgical technique and the strategy used to prevent infections. An approach that combines medical and surgical management is necessary for cases of mesh infection. The antimicrobial treatment regimen chosen initially should include coverage of Staphylococcus spp. and, particularly, Staphylococcus aureus.

Laparoscopic repair of incisional hernias

Laparoscopic repair of incisional hernia has been shown safe and efficacious, with low rates of conversion to open, short hospital stay, moderate complication rate, and low recurrence. Using the benefits of open retromuscular, sublay repair, the laparoscopic approach provides adequate mesh overlap and allows for identification of the entire abdominal wall fascia at risk for hernia formation. Fixation of the prosthesis to the abdominal wall is best provided by transabdominal to secure the mesh during the initial phase of incorporation. Long-term follow-up data support the durability of laparoscopic repair of ventral hernias with reduced rate of recurrence, low risk of infection, and applicability to difficult patient populations, such as the morbidly obese and those with prior failed attempts.

[Laparoscopic treatment of ventral hernias]

The use of mesh in incisional hernia repair has reduced the rate of hernia recurrence. Laparoscopic placement of mesh is a promising alternative to the classical open approach. Recent studies involving large numbers of patients have shown the laparoscopic approach to be feasible in 95% of cases; the incidence of postoperative complications was low and hernia recurrence occurred in 3-5% at three years. Several retrospective studies and one randomized study comparing open versus laparascopic ventral hernia repair suggest that the laparoscopic repair yields better results (fewer postoperative complications and lower recurrence rate) than the classical open approach.

Retrofascial mesh repair of ventral incisional hernias

BACKGROUND

Recurrence rates after ventral incisional hernia repair are reported to be as high as 33% and are associated with considerable morbidity and lost time. The purpose of this study was to determine if retrofascial mesh placement reduces the incidence of recurrence as well as the severity of wound infections.

METHODS

A prospective database covering the period from January 1995 to June 2003 was maintained. All patients underwent a standardized technique by a single surgeon. Polypropylene mesh was placed between the fascia and the peritoneum with the fascia closed over the mesh.

RESULTS

There were 150 patients (126 women, 24 men) with a mean age of 55 years. Their average weight was 88 kg, with an average body mass index of 32. Sixty-three (42%) of the hernias were recurrences of a previous repair. The average size of the hernia was 8 x 14 cm. There was 1 postoperative mortality. There was a 9% postoperative infection rate with 2 patients (1%) requiring mesh removal. Long-term follow-up evaluation has revealed 3 recurrences (2%) and 3 readmissions for bowel obstruction with 1 patient requiring surgical release. There were no fistulas noted.

CONCLUSIONS

Incisional hernia repair with mesh placed in the retrofascial position decreases both the risk for recurrence and the severity of wound infection without significant problems from bowel obstruction or enteric fistula.

The feasibility of adopting laparoscopic incisional hernia repair in general surgery practice: early outcomes in an unselected series of patients

A laparoscopic approach to incisional hernia repair has been shown to be safe and effective in selected patients. We report our early outcomes following laparoscopic ventral/incisional hernia repair (LVHR) in an unselected series of patients encountered in general surgery practice. All patients referred with incisional hernia were offered a laparoscopic repair using prosthetic mesh. Patients were not excluded from laparoscopic approach on the basis of age, previous surgery, defect size, intraperitoneal mesh, body mass index (BMI), comorbidities, or abdominal wall stomas. We followed 28 consecutive patients who underwent LVHR (17 primary, 11 recurrent hernias). Laparoscopic repair was completed in 27 patients with a mean operative time of 141.6 +/- 11.9 minutes. There were no intraoperative complications. The mean size of the abdominal wall defects was 153.4 +/- 27.5 cm and the mean mesh size was 349.2 +/- 59.1 cm. The mean hospital stay was 3.7 +/- 0.3 days. Nine patients developed large wound seromas; all spontaneously resolved. Our experience suggests that LVHR is feasible as a primary approach to most incisional hernias encountered in general surgery practice.

Mortality following laparoscopic ventral hernia repair: lessons from 90 consecutive cases and bibliographical analysis

The popularity of laparoscopic repair of ventral hernias is increasing due to the apparent advantages of the procedure, but this approach is still a controversial technique. The aim of our study was to evaluate the mortality rate of laparoscopic ventral hernia repair and analyse the literature. The authors performed a prospective study in 90 patients with ventral hernia who were treated by laparoscopic repair. Clinical parameters and intra- and postoperative complications were evaluated. A case of mortality was reported due to a nonrecognised bowel injury. The mean follow-up (100%) was 42 months (range: 1-5 years). A bibliographical analysis was carried out (MEDLINE). Four bowel injuries were presented (4.4%): three recognised, which required conversion (two treated with minilaparotomy and completed afterwards by laparoscopy, and one by laparotomy); and one nonrecognised, which was re-operated on but evolved to sepsis and multiorgan failure and resulted in death in 48 h (1.1%). Four further mortality rates have been documented in the literature (0.6%, 1.1%, 3.1%, and 3.4% of their series). Bowel injury and mortality show a statistically significant tendency to decrease with the number of operations ( P<0.05). In conclusion, in our study the risk of mortality with laparoscopic ventral hernia repair has been higher than 1%, which must be made known. It is a risk that depends on the surgeon's experience but which does not seem to be predictable.

Current status of the debate on laparoscopic hernia repair

There is continued debate as to the role of laparoscopy in recurrent, bilateral inguinal and incisional hernias. Further clinical trials are needed in all of these areas. For patients with a primary inguinal hernia laparoscopic repair can no longer be recommended as the repair of choice unless it is undertaken in an expert centre in minimal access surgery.