Ventral hernia repair by totally extraperitoneal approach (VTEP): technique description and feasibility study

Laparoscopic intra-peritoneal onlay mesh plus versus robotic transabdominal pre-peritoneal for primary ventral hernias: Our technique and outcomes

INTRODUCTION

Intra-peritoneal onlay mesh repair (IPOM) still remains the most common approach for laparoscopic repair of small to medium sized hernias worldwide. In this study, we compare our early outcomes of an established procedure, i.e. laparoscopic IPOM plus to robotic transabdominal pre-peritoneal (rTAPP) for small to medium sized primary ventral hernia. To compare laparoscopic IPOM plus with rTAPP in terms of pain score, time to ambulate, hospital stay, time to return to work as well as the expenses.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data at our centre between July 2021 and June 2022. Operative time including docking time was recorded. Cost analysis was done in both set of patients. Pain scores were assessed using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at regular intervals for up to 3 months and then at the end of 1 year. Time to ambulate, return of bowel function and return to work were documented. Any complication or recurrence during the study period was recorded.

RESULTS

Mean operative time for IPOM plus and rTAPP groups was 59.00 and 73.55 min, respectively. Mean pain score for IPOM at 6, 12 and 24 h was 7.35, 6.81 and 5.77, while for rTAPP, it was 4.73, 3 and 2.55, respectively. VAS scores at 1 week, 1 month and 3 month also showed similar trends. Mean time to ambulate in minutes for IPOM and rTAPP group was 357.69 and 223.64, respectively. Mean hospital stay in days for IPOM and rTAPP was 2.12 and 1.18, respectively. Mean time to return to work in days was 11.77 and 8.45 for IPOM and rTAPP groups, respectively. Expenditure wise, cost of TAPP was more and statistically significant, owing to the use of robotic platform. The mean overall cost of laparoscopic IPOM plus and rTAPP in rupees was 187,177.69 and 245,174.55, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Robotic TAPP appears an excellent alternative to laparoscopic IPOM plus. Larger studies with long-term follow-up data are further required to reinforce it.

Ventral ETEP Versus REPA, Comparison of Two Novel Minimally Invasive Techniques for Midline Defects

Introduction: This report aimed to compare ventral extended vision extraperitoneal (ETEP) and preaponeurotic repair (REPA) techniques in terms of surgical procedure, outcomes, and patient evolution. Methods: This was a retrospective study performed at a tertiary care academic center between 2017 and 2022. All consecutive patients operated on for midline hernias and rectus diastasis using REPA and ETEP were included. Follow-up visits were at 15 days, 30 days, and 6 months postoperative. Age, sex, BMI, American Surgical Anesthesiologic Classification (ASA), surgical time, need for conversion to open surgery, time of stay, seroma, hematoma, surgical site infection (SSI), recurrence, and re-interventions were assessed. Results: For the present study, 148 patients were included. From them, 62 patients received the REPA procedure and 86 were operated on using the ETEP technique. REPA average time was 105 minutes (interquartile range [IR] 80-130), and ETEP average time was 120 minutes (RIC 95-285) (p = 0.03). Ambulatory procedures were 32.3% (n = 20) REPA and 20.9% (n = 18) ETEP (p = 0.23). In REPA, the mean time for drain extraction was 11.92 days and 8 days in ETEP (p < 0.001). Seroma incidence was identified in 40.3% (n = 25) of the REPA cases and 5.8% (n = 5) of the ETEP procedures (p = 0.001). In a multivariate analysis for seroma incidence REPA technique was associated with a significant risk of its incidence [odds ratio (OR) 16, 67 95% confidence interval ((CI95) 4.67-59.52), p < 0.001]. Conclusion: REPA and ETEP are safe and reproducible. Both approaches reported short hospitalization times and almost no major complications. We found a longer surgical time in ETEP and a higher incidence of seroma in REPA.

An improved approach of totally visceral sac separation (TVS) for incisional hernia compared with laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh plus repair (IPOM plus)

Endoscopic techniques have been widely used in ventral hernia surgery. Totally visceral sac separation (TVS) is a new concept proposed for hernia repair in recent years. The aim of this study was to contrast the postoperative results of TVS with the widely used method of Laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh plus repair (IPOM plus) for incisional hernias. The retrospective comparison analysis of 38 IPOM plus and 34 TVS was conducted during the time period between December 2019 and June 2022. For both two groups, baseline characteristics, surgical records, postoperative information, and quality of life outcomes utilizing the Carolina's Comfort Scale were collected and analyzed. There were no differences between the methods of TVS and IPOM plus among the baseline characteristics. It showed the operative time in TVS group with the mean time of 213.4 min was significantly longer than that in IPOM plus group with the mean time of 182.9 min (P = 0.010). The postoperative length of stay in TVS group was 6.2 days, which was significantly shorter than IPOM plus group with the mean time of 4.8 days (P = 0.011). The medical expenses was significantly smaller in TVS group than that in IPOM plus group (P < 0.001). The quality of life scores of TVS were significant better than IPOM plus at one week, one month and six months. Besides, both TVS and IPOM plus have very few complications. TVS approach for incisional hernias is secure, effective, and valuable. It has shorter postoperative length of stay, higher quality of life, longer operative time, smaller medical expenses, and approximate complications compared with IPOM plus procedure. Our results have a greater contribution to the application and popularization of TVS technique.

Suture versus open mesh repair for small umbilical hernia: Results of a propensity-matched cohort study

BACKGROUND

The objective was to compare the outcomes of open mesh repair versus suture repair for small (≤1 cm in diameter) umbilical hernia. The primary endpoint was the 30-day outcomes including pain, and secondary endpoints were the 2-year outcomes including recurrences and patient-reported outcomes.

METHODS

This propensity-matched, multicenter study was carried out on data collected prospectively in the Hernia-Club database between 2011 and 2021. A total of 590 mesh repairs and 590 suture repairs were propensity score matched (age, sex, body mass index) at a ratio of 1:1. Postoperative pain was assessed using the Verbal Rating Scale-4 and 0‒10 Numerical Rating Scale-11.

RESULTS

Mesh insertion was intraperitoneal in 331 patients (56.1%), extraperitoneal in 249 (42.2%), and onlay in 10 (1.7%). The rate of 30-day complications and Numerical Rating Scale-11 pain scores on postoperative days 8 and 30 were similar between the groups, including surgical site occurrences (2.2 vs 1.4% after suture repair). At 1 month, postoperative discomfort (sensation of something different from before) was significantly (P < .0001) more frequent after mesh repair, whereas the rate of relevant (moderate or severe) pain (mesh repair: 1.1% vs suture repair: 2.6%) and the distribution of Numerical Rating Scale-11 scores did not differ between the groups. At the 2-year follow-up, mesh repair patients had fewer reoperated recurrences (0.2% vs 1.7%; P = .035) and no more pain or discomfort than suture repair patients.

CONCLUSION

Both techniques are effective and safe. Mesh repair is likely to reduce the rate of recurrences. Concerns about postoperative pain and infection might not prevent the use of mesh in smallest umbilical hernias.

Primary Ventral Hernia Repair and the Risk of Postoperative Small Bowel Obstruction: Intra Versus Extraperitoneal Mesh

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare the likelihood of bowel obstruction according to the placement of the mesh (either intraperitoneal or extraperitoneal) in ventral hernia repairs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients were divided into two groups, an intraperitoneal (IP) group (mesh placed by laparoscopy or with an open approach) and an extraperitoneal (EP) group, all operated on in the Digestive Surgery Department at the Dijon University Hospital. The primary outcome was the occurrence of an episode of bowel obstruction requiring hospitalization and confirmed by abdominal CT scan.

RESULTS

Between March 2008 and July 2021, 318 patients were included, with 99 patients in the EP group (71 meshes placed preperitoneally and 28 placed retromuscularly) and 219 patients in the IP group (175 patients operated on laparoscopically versus 44 patients by direct approach). Three patients presented an episode of acute intestinal obstruction, with no difference between the two groups (p = 0.245), although all bowel obstructions occurred in the IP group and with the laparoscopic approach (1.7% of patients operated on by laparoscopy). The occlusive events occurred at 1 month, 2 years, and 3 years. There was no difference in terms of recurrence or postoperative chronic pain. There were more seroma and mesh infections in the EP group (p < 0.05). Two patients operated on by laparoscopy had undetected bowel injuries, prompting emergent surgery for peritonitis.

CONCLUSIONS

No statistically significant difference was found in terms of bowel obstruction between the intraperitoneal and the extraperitoneal position, but all cases of obstruction happened in the intraperitoneal mesh group. Visceral lesions remain a major complication of the laparoscopic approach that should not be neglected.

A pilot study of implementation of endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) in Norway

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for obesity but is invasive and associated with serious complications. Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is a less invasive weight loss procedure to reduce the stomach volume by full-thickness sutures. ESG has been adopted in many countries, but implementation at Scandinavian centres has not yet been documented. We performed a clinical pilot trial at a Norwegian centre with the primary objective to assess the feasibility of the ESG procedure.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We included the first 10 patients treated with ESG at a Norwegian centre in a single-arm pilot study. The eligibility criteria were either a body mass index (BMI) of 40-49.9 kg/m2, BMI 35-39.9 kg/m2 and at least one obesity-related comorbidity, or BMI 30-34.9 kg/m2 and type 2 diabetes. Patient follow-up resembled the scheme used for bariatric surgery at the center, including dietary plans and outpatient visits.

RESULTS

All procedures were technically successful except for one patient who had adhesions between the stomach and anterior abdominal wall, related to a prior hernia repair, resulting in less-than-intended stomach volume reduction. Mean total body weight loss (TBWL) after 26 and 52 weeks was 12.2% (95% CI 8.1-16.2) and 9.1% (95% CI 3.3 - 15.0). One patient experienced a minor suture-induced diaphragmatic injury, which was successfully managed conservatively.

CONCLUSIONS

This first Scandinavian clinical trial of ESG, documenting the implementation of the procedure at a Norwegian center, demonstrated acceptable feasibility and safety, with large variations in individual weight loss during the 52-week follow-up period.

An Observational Comparative Study of the Impact of Accidental Pneumoperitoneum in Understanding the Learning Curve for Totally Extraperitoneal and Extended Totally Extraperitoneal Inguinal Hernia Repair

BACKGROUND

Abdominal wall hernia repair is among the fundamental procedures in general surgical practice. Subsequent to the advent of minimally invasive repair, there have been efforts to find the most reliable technique, with easily reproducible results that can be practiced by surgeons worldwide. From an analytical point of view, this study aimed to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of two techniques.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 60 participants were divided into two groups of 30 patients: the totally extraperitoneal (TEP) and the extended TEP (eTEP) hernia repair groups. Covariates and outcomes were analyzed using the chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests. The study was carried out at a tertiary postgraduate teaching hospital in the western zone of Maharashtra, Pune, India, by a single surgeon. The operative procedures were as per standard surgical practice for both groups. The study was conducted to understand types of difficulties observed in the early implantation stages and the learning curve of these procedures.

RESULTS

Ten percent of the procedures in the TEP group and 6.7% of procedures in the eTEP group required Veress needle use to manage accidental pneumoperitoneum (P=0.64). The mean operative time in the eTEP group was significantly shorter than that of the TEP group (P=0.031).

CONCLUSION

Compared with the TEP approach, eTEP repair is associated with shorter operative times, owing to a shorter learning curve, a wider-angle view, a wider range of motion for instrument manipulation, and an ergonomically superior operative experience.

Endoscopic transversus abdominis release in the treatment of midline incisional hernias: a prospective single-center observational study on 100 patients

BACKGROUND

For W2-3 incisional hernias of the midline, a component separation is often needed to achieve closure of the fascia during repair with a mesh. Posterior component separation has been initially performed via open surgical approach, but more recently interest in minimally invasive reconstruction has grown. The aim of this work is to describe the technical aspects of endoscopic hernia repair with posterior component separation and to assess its feasibility in midline incisional hernias, based on the analysis of the results.

METHODS

We prospectively evaluated and analyzed patients with midline incisional hernias who underwent endoscopic posterior component separation by transversus abdominis release (TAR).

RESULTS

A group of 100 patients was operated between April 2017 and September 2021. The median follow-up was 27 ± 13.5 months, mean age 59 ± 10.2 years, ASA 2.5 ± 0.7; 94% of patients had comorbidity. There were 7 (7%) complications observed in the early postoperative period-retromuscular hematoma (1), infection of the retromuscular space (4), and thrombophlebitis of superficial veins (2). In 4 (4%) patients, late complications were observed-persistent seroma (3) and chronic pain (1). There were no hernia recurrences in the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

The use of TAR endoscopic separation can reduce the number of unfavorable surgical site events, compared to the published data on a similar open surgery, while maintaining a low recurrence rate.

A propensity-score matched analysis of ventral-TAPP vs. laparoscopic IPOM for small and mid-sized ventral hernias. Comparison of perioperative data, surgical outcome and cost-effectiveness

PURPOSE

Laparoscopic techniques have been used and refined in hernia surgery for several years. The aim of this study was to compare an established method such as laparoscopic intra-peritoneal onlay mesh repair (lap. IPOM) with ventral Transabdominal Preperitoneal Patch Plasty (ventral-TAPP) in abdominal wall hernia repair.

METHODS

Patient-related data of 180 laparoscopic ventral hernia repairs between June 2014 and August 2020 were extracted from our prospectively maintained database. Of these patients, 34 underwent ventral-TAPP and 146 lap. IPOM. After excluding hernias with a defect size > 5 cm and obtaining balanced groups with propensity-score matching, a comparative analysis was performed in terms perioperative data, surgical outcomes and cost-effectiveness.

RESULTS

Propensity-score matching suggested 27 patients in each of the two cohorts. The statistical evaluation showed that intake of opiates was significantly higher in the lap. IPOM group compared to ventral-TAPP patients (p = 0.001). The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score after lap. IPOM repair was significantly higher at movement (p = 0.008) and at rest (p = 0.023). Also, maximum subjective pain during hospital stay was significantly higher in the lap. IPOM group compared to ventral-TAPP patients (p = 0.004). No hernia recurrence was detected in either group. The material costs of ventral-TAPP procedure (34.37 ± 0.47 €) were significantly lower than those of the lap. IPOM group (742.57 ± 128.44 € p = 0.001). The mean operation time was 65.19 ± 26.43 min in the lap. IPOM group and 58.65 ± 18.43 min in the ventral-TAPP cohort. Additionally, the length of hospital stay in the lap. IPOM cohort was significantly longer (p = 0.043).

CONCLUSION

Ventral-TAPP procedures represent an alternative technique to lap. IPOM repair to reduce the risk of complications related to intra-peritoneal position of mesh and fixating devices. In addition, our study showed that postoperative pain level, material costs and hospital stay of the ventral-TAPP cohort are significantly lower compared to lap. IPOM patients.

Favourable outcomes after Retro-Rectus (Rives-Stoppa) Mesh Repair as Treatment for Non-Complex Ventral Abdominal Wall Hernia, a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

To assess prevalence of hernia recurrence, surgical site infection (SSI), seroma, serious complications, and mortality after retro-rectus repair.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Ventral abdominal wall hernia is a common problem, tied to increasing frailty and obesity of patients undergoing surgery. For non-complex ventral hernia, retro-rectus (Rives-Stoppa) repair is considered the gold standard treatment. Level-1 evidence confirming this presumed superiority is lacking.

METHODS

Five databases were searched for studies reporting on retro-rectus repair. Single-armed and comparative randomized and non-randomized studies were included. Outcomes were pooled with mixed-effects, inverse variance or random-effects models.

RESULTS

Ninety-three studies representing 12440 patients undergoing retro-rectus repair were included. Pooled hernia recurrence was estimated at 3.2% (95%CI: 2.2-4.2%, n = 11049) after minimally 12 months and 4.1%, (95%CI: 2.9-5.5%, n = 3830) after minimally 24 months. Incidences of SSI and seroma were estimated at respectively 5.2% (95%CI: 4.2-6.4%, n = 4891) and 5.5% (95%CI: 4.4-6.8%, n = 3650). Retro-rectus repair was associated with lower recurrence rates compared to onlay repair (OR: 0.27, 95%CI: 0.15-0.51, p < 0.001) and equal recurrence rates compared to intraperitoneal onlay (IPOM) repair (OR: 0.92, 95%CI: 0.75-1.12, p = 0.400). Retro-rectus repair was associated with more SSI than IPOM repair (OR: 1.8, 95%CI: 1.03-3.14, p = 0.038). Minimally invasive retro-rectus repair displayed low rates of recurrence (1.3%, 95%CI: 0.7-2.3%, n = 849) and SSI (1.5%, 95%CI: 0.8-2.8%, n = 982), albeit based on non-randomized studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Retro-rectus (Rives-Stoppa) repair results in excellent outcomes, superior or similar to other techniques for all outcomes except surgical site infection. The latter rarely occurred, yet less frequently after IPOM repair, which is usually performed by laparoscopy.

Short-term outcomes of minimally invasive retromuscular ventral hernia repair using an enhanced view totally extraperitoneal (eTEP) approach: systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

The enhanced view totally extraperitoneal (eTEP) approach is becoming increasingly more widely accepted as a promising technique in the treatment of ventral hernia. However, evidence is still lacking regarding the perioperative, postoperative and long-term outcomes of this technique. The aim of this meta-analysis is to summarize the current available evidence regarding the perioperative and short-term outcomes of ventral hernia repair using eTEP.

Study design

A systematic search was performed of PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Web of Science electronic databases to identify studies on the laparoscopic or robotic-enhanced view totally extraperitoneal (eTEP) approach for the treatment of ventral hernia. A pooled meta-analysis was performed. The primary end point was focused on short-term outcomes regarding perioperative characteristics and postoperative parameters.

Results

A total of 13 studies were identified involving 918 patients. Minimally invasive eTEP resulted in a rate of surgical site infection of 0% [95% CI 0.0–1.0%], a rate of seroma of 5% [95% CI 2.0–8.0%] and a rate of major complications (Clavien–Dindo III–IV) of 1% [95% CI 0.0–3.0%]. The rate of intraoperative complications was 2% [95% CI 0.0–4.0%] with a conversion rate of 1.0% [95% CI 0.0–3.0%]. Mean hospital length of stay was 1.77 days [95% CI 1.21–2.24]. After a median follow-up of 6.6 months (1–24), the rate of recurrence was 1% [95% CI 0.0–1.0%].

Conclusion

Minimally invasive eTEP is a safe and effective approach for ventral hernia repair, with low reported intraoperative complications and good outcomes.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10029-021-02557-8.

Mid-term results of VTEP (Ventral hernia repair by Totally ExtraPeritoneal approach)

BACKGROUND

Techniques of retromuscular repair of ventral hernias aim at avoiding complications linked to intraperitoneal patch. Aim of the study was to evaluate results of the VTEP technique.

METHODS

On 187 patients who underwent a VTEP, evaluation was carried out on 128 patients with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. The surgical technique consisted of creating connection between both retro-rectus spaces, by division of the medial edges of the posterior sheath and deploying the patch in the retromuscular patch without fixation. The posterior sheath was repaired in 16 cases. The patients were sent a questionnaire and invitation to have physical examination by the surgeon.

RESULTS

The mean hernia and patch size were 9 (1-50) and 225 (50-500) cm², respectively. The mean follow-up was 21.2 (12-35) months; 120 (93.7%) patients were evaluated, 21 by physical examination, 41 by questionnaire, 58 by telephone and 8 (6.3%) were lost to follow-up. Hundred (83%) patients felt no pain at rest, and 88 (73%) during effort. Among patients who felt some degree of pain, the mean VAS value was 2 (1-4) at rest and 2.6 (1-7) during effort. Two recurrences occurred, 3 patients were worried about a persisting diastasis bulging at the upper border of the patch and 8 patients in which the posterior sheath was not repaired complained they felt that their upper abdomen was somewhat distended or swollen.

CONCLUSION

The VTEP procedure provides a low level of chronic pain but can entail some drawbacks, such as the swollen abdomen, which can be attributed to the absence of repair of the posterior sheath. It may be that restoring or preserving structural integrity of the abdominal belt formed by the posterior sheath constitutes a key point in retromuscular techniques.

Are the relative benefits of open versus laparoscopic intraperitoneal mesh repair of umbilical hernias dependent on the diameter of the defect?

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to assess whether the respective values of open and laparoscopic intraperitoneal repairs of umbilical hernias are related to the European Hernia Society diameter of defects.

METHODS

This registry-based study compared the early and 2-year outcomes of 776 open versus 1,019 consecutive laparoscopic intraperitoneal repairs performed from 2011 to 2019.

RESULTS

Intraperitoneal mesh repair, either laparoscopic or open, was found to be a safe procedure at the 2-year follow-up. The incidence of reoperated bowel obstructions was 0.3%. Compared with the open group: (1) postoperative surgical site occurrences in small (<2 cm) or medium (2-4 cm) hernias (0.3% vs 2.4%; P = .041; 1.4% vs 5.9%; P = .0002); (2) recurrence rates in large (≥4 cm) umbilical hernias (0.0% vs 8.6%; P = .0195); and (3) cumulative reoperation rates (0.9% vs 2.2%; P = .021) were significantly better in the laparoscopic group. Conversely, the rate of early pain on day 1 and 1 month postsurgery was higher in the laparoscopic group, for all hernia sizes (P < .001). The rate of moderate or severe chronic pain at 2 years was significantly higher in the laparoscopic group (8.1% vs 2.4%; P = .049) for small hernias.

CONCLUSION

The respective benefit to drawback ratios for open versus laparoscopic intraperitoneal repairs were related to the European Hernia Society diameter of hernia defect. In medium-large hernias, the benefits of laparoscopic repair overrode its drawbacks. In small hernias, the low recurrence rate, reduced early and chronic pain, and better rate of ambulatory surgery suggest there is still a place for open repair.

Comparison of outcomes in rectus abdominis diastasis repair-which data do we need in a hernia registry?

INTRODUCTION

Rectus abdominis diastasis (RAD) ± concomitant hernia is a complex hernia entity of growing significance in everyday clinical practice. Due to a multitude of described surgical techniques, a so far missing universally accepted classification and hardly existing comparative studies, there are no clear recommendations in guidelines. Therefore, "RAD ± concomitant hernia" will be documented as a separate hernia entity in the Herniamed Registry in the future. For this purpose, an appropriate case report form will be developed on the basis of the existing literature.

METHODS

A systematic search of the available literature was performed in March 2021 using Medline, PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Embase, Springer Link, and the Cochrane Library. 93 publications were identified as relevant for this topic.

RESULTS

In total 45 different surgical techniques for the repair of RAD ± concomitant hernia were identified in the surgical literature. RAD ± concomitant hernia is predominantly repaired by plastic but also by general surgeons. Classification of RAD ± concomitant hernia is based on a proposal of the German Hernia Society and the International Endohernia Society. Surgical techniques are summarized as groups subject to certain aspects: Techniques with abdominoplasty, open techniques, mini-less-open and endoscopic sublay techniques, mini-less-open and endoscopic subcutaneous/preaponeurotic techniques and laparoscopic techniques. Additional data impacting the outcome are also recorded as is the case for other hernia entities. Despite the complexity of this topic, documentation of RAD ± concomitant hernia has not proved to be any more cumbersome than for any of the other hernia entities when using this classification.

CONCLUSION

Using the case report form described here, the complex hernia entity RAD ± concomitant hernia can be recorded in a registry for proper analysis of comparative treatment options.

Stapled VTEP (sVTEP), diastasis and the "swollen abdomen"

BACKGROUND

In the VTEP series, some patients declared that their abdomen was "somewhat swollen", and the authors suggested that this might be related to disruption of the posterior sheath due to the crossing. Following this observation, we decided to evaluate the systematic repair of the posterior sheath.

METHODS

In 50 consecutive patients operated for ventral hernias, the VTEP procedure was modified, using the linear stapler to perform simultaneous division and closure of the posterior sheath. Perioperative data and short-term results were prospectively assessed.

RESULTS

Six (12%) complications occurred: one hematoma, one sudden death at home five days after surgery in a man with history of cardiac disease, and 4 cases of dehiscence of the staple line, which were successively reoperated by suture of the gap and posterior sheath release incision (PSR). With a mean follow-up of 7.5 months (4-12) there were no recurrences and 2 cases of "swollen abdomen", in patients who undergone PSR. The "swollen abdomen" did not occur when the posterior sheath was repaired without PSR. Preoperative diastasis bulging present in 11 cases, was totally or partially corrected in 8 and 1 cases, respectively, and unchanged in 2 cases.

CONCLUSION

The sVTEP procedure, can contribute to prevent the swollen abdomen and to diastasis correction. The PSR can prevent staple line disruption or permit tension-free repair of the dehiscence, but then, the newly created lateral gaps can finally entail the same drawback. Search for the best solution to treat the gap in the posterior sheath requires further studies.