Chronic pain and quality of life (QoL) after transinguinal preperitoneal (TIPP) inguinal hernia repair using a totally extraperitoneal, parietalized, Polysoft ® memory ring patch : a series of 622 hernia repairs in 525 patients

Lichtenstein versus TIPP versus TAPP versus TEP for primary inguinal hernia, a matched propensity score study on the French Club Hernie Registry

PURPOSE

Groin hernia repair is one of the most frequent operation performed worldwide. Chronic postoperative inguinal pain (CPIP) is the most common and challenging complication after surgical repair with subsequent high socio-economic impact. The aim of this study was to compare the one-year CPIP rates between Lichtenstein, trans-inguinal pre-peritoneal (TIPP), trans-abdominal pre-peritoneal (TAPP) and totally extra-peritoneal (TEP) repair techniques on the French Hernia Registry.

METHODS

Between 2011 and 2021, 15,161 primary groin hernia repairs with 1-year follow-up were available on the register. Using propensity score (PS) matching, matched pairs were formed. Each group was compared in pairs independently; Lichtenstein versus TIPP, TEP and TAPP, TIPP versus TEP and TAPP and finally TEP versus TAPP.

RESULTS

After PS matching analysis, Lichtenstein group showed disadvantage over TIPP, TAPP and TEP groups with significantly more CPIP at one year (15.2% vs 9.6%, p < 0.0001; 15.9% vs. 10.0%, p < 0.0001 and 16.1% vs. 12.4%, p = 0.002, respectively). The 1-year CPIP rates were similar comparing TIPP versus TAPP and TEP groups (9.3% vs 10.5%, p = 0.19 and 9.8% vs 11.8%, p = 0.05, respectively). There was significantly less CPIP rate after TAPP versus TEP repair (1.00% vs 11.9%, p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

This register-based study confirms the higher CPIP risk after Lichtenstein repair compared to the pre-peritoneal repair techniques. TIPP leads to comparable CPIP rates than TAPP and TEP repairs.

Significant factors influencing chronic postoperative inguinal pain: A conditional time-dependent observational cohort study

BACKGROUND

Inguinal hernia (IH) repair is a common surgical procedure. Focus has shifted from recurrences to chronic postoperative inguinal pain (CPIP). To assess the natural course of CPIP and identify patient factors influencing the onset of CPIP, an observational registry-based study was performed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data prospectively collected from the Club-Hernie national database was retrieved from 2011 until 2021. Patients who underwent elective surgery for inguinal hernia were divided in an irrelevant pain group and relevant pain group. Relevant pain at one year and two years were compared with patients with irrelevant pain at all-time points (preoperatively, one month, one year and two years). Quality of life questions were compared between relevant pain at one year and two years.

RESULTS

4.016 patients were included in the analysis. Mean age was 65.1 years, 90.3% of patients was male. Factors correlated with CPIP onset were age, gender, ASA, recurrent surgery, surgical technique, nerve handling and fixation type. Relevant pain at one month was a greater risk for CPIP than preoperative pain (12.3% vs 3.6%). In the majority of patients (83.2%) CPIP was ameliorated at two years. Hernia related complaints differed significantly between CPIP at one year and two years.

CONCLUSION

Postoperative pain after one month was a greater risk factor for CPIP development than preoperative pain. CPIP at one year seems to have a different pain etiology than CPIP at two years. Patient and surgical factors influence the onset of CPIP at one year, however the natural course of these complaints shows great decline at two years, largely without reinterventions.

Longitudinal cohort study on preoperative pain as a risk factor for chronic postoperative inguinal pain after groin hernia repair at 2-year follow-up

PURPOSE

To assess the rate of late chronic postoperative inguinal pain (CPIP) after groin hernia repair in patients with different categories of preoperative VRS (Verbal Rating Scale) pain and to make a pragmatic evaluation of the rates of potentially surgery-related CPIP vs. postoperative continuation of preexisting preoperative pain.

METHODS

Groin pain of patients operated from 01/11/2011 to 01/04/2014 was assessed preoperatively, postoperatively and at 2-year follow-up using a VRS-4 in 5670 consecutive groin hernia repairs. A PROM (Patient Related Outcomes Measurement) questionnaire studied the impact of CPIP on the patients' daily life.

RESULTS

Relevant (moderate or severe VRS) pain was registered preoperatively in 1639 of 5670 (29%) cases vs. 197 of 4704 (4.2%) cases at the 2-year follow-up. Among the latter, 125 (3.7%) cases were found in 3353 cases with no-relevant preoperative pain and 72 (5.3%) in 1351 cases with relevant preoperative pain. Relevant CPIP consisted of 179 (3.8%) cases of moderate pain and 18 (0.4%) cases of severe pain. The rate of severe CPIP was independent of the preoperative VRS-pain category while the rate of moderate CPIP (3.1%, 3.4%, 4.1%, 6.8%) increased in line with the preoperative (none, mild, moderate, and severe) VRS-pain categories. The VRS probably overestimated pain since 71.6% of the relevant CPIP patients assessed their pain as less bothersome than the hernia.

CONCLUSION

At the 2-year follow-up, relevant CPIP was registered in 4.2% cases, of which 63.5% were potentially surgery-related (no-relevant preoperative pain) and 36.5% possibly due to the postoperative persistence of preoperative pain. The rate of severe CPIP was constant around 0.4%.

A registry-based 2-year follow-up comparative study of two meshes used in transinguinal preperitoneal (TIPP) groin hernia repair

PURPOSE

Onflex™ mesh has replaced Polysoft™ patch on the market, without being clinically evaluated thus far in the transinguinal preperitoneal (TIPP) technique.

METHODS

All consecutive TIPP registered in our registry during the overlap period of availability of both meshes were included and studied with the chronic postoperative inguinal pain (CPIP) as primary endpoint, assessed with a verbal rating scale (VRS), and included in a patient-related outcome measurement (PROM) phone questionnaire.

RESULTS

A total of 181 Onflex cases vs 182 Polysoft cases were studied with a 2-year follow-up rate of 92% vs 88%. The overall rate of pain or discomfort was not statistically different in the 2 studied subgroups (16.5% vs 17.6%; p = 0.71), while moderate or severe pain were significantly more frequent in the Polysoft subgroup (5.5% vs 11.6%; p = 0.01). These symptoms did not interfere with the patient daily life in 16% vs 16.5% of cases, and they were self-assessed as more bothersome than the hernia in only 0.5% vs 0.5% of cases, suggesting an overestimation of the pain by the VRS. Patients assessed the result of their hernia repair as excellent or good in 97.8% vs 96.7% and medium or bad in 2.2% vs 3.3% (p = 0.53). The cumulative recurrence rate was 0% vs 2.2%. Two reoperations (one for early and one for late recurrence) were reported in the Polysoft subgroup (1%), none related to the non-absorbable memory ring.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that TIPP with Onflex provides results at least similar than those with Polysoft.

Transinguinal preperitoneal repair of giant inguinoscrotal hernias using Kugel mesh

INTRODUCTION

Giant inguinoscrotal hernias are rarely encountered in clinical settings, and their repair is technically challenging. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of transinguinal preperitoneal repair (TIPP) of giant inguinoscrotal hernias using Kugel mesh.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 9 patients with 11 giant inguinoscrotal hernias who underwent TIPP repair using Kugel mesh between December 2008 and January 2019. Demographics and perioperative and postoperative data were collected, and the operative experience was summarized.

RESULTS

The patients underwent a successful repair procedure with simultaneous omentectomy but without resection of the other abdominal organs. The median operation time was 120min, the median intraoperative blood loss was 75mL and the median defect area was 72 cm². The median duration for diet restoration was 4 days, and the median postoperative hospital stay was 6 days. The drainage tube placed in the preperitoneal space was removed after a median duration of 5 days, and the drainage tube placed in the distal hernia sac was removed after a median duration of 6 days. Three patients suffered from a postoperative increase in intra-abdominal pressure, while one patient deteriorated into abdominal compartment syndrome accompanied by respiratory dysfunction. No haematomas, seromas, incisional or mesh infections, recurrence or chronic pain occurred during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

TIPP repair using Kugel mesh is a feasible and effective method for giant inguinoscrotal hernias.

Two-year patient-related outcome measures (PROM) of primary ventral and incisional hernia repair using a novel three-dimensional composite polyester monofilament mesh: the SymCHro registry study

Purpose

This study examined patient-related outcome measures (PROMs) after repair of ventral primary or incisional hernias using Symbotex™ composite mesh (SCM), a novel three-dimensional collagen-coated monofilament polyester textile.

Methods

Pre-operative, peri-operative, and post-operative data were obtained from the French “Club Hernie” registry with 12- and 24-month follow-up.

Results

One-hundred consecutive patients (mean age 62.0 ± 13.7; 51% female) underwent repair of 105 hernias: primary (39/105, 37.1%, defect area 5.2 ± 5.6 cm²) and incisional (66/105, 62.9%, 31.9 ± 38.7.8 cm²). The mean BMI was 29.7 (± 5.6 kg/m²). American Society of Anesthesiologists classifications were I 39.4%, II 37.4% and III 23.2%. 75% had risk factors for healing and/or dissection. Of 38 primary repairs, 37 were completed laparoscopically (combined approach n = 1), and of 62 incisional hernia repairs, 40 were completed laparoscopically, and 20 by open repair (combined approach n = 2). Laparoscopic was quicker than open repair (36.2 ± 23.5 min vs. 67.4 ± 25.8, p < 0001). Before surgery, 86.3% of hernias were reported to cause discomfort/pain or dysesthesia. At 24 months (93 of 100 patients), 91 (97.8%) reported no lump and 81 (87.1%) no pain or discomfort. Of 91 patients, 86 (94.5%) rated their repair “good” or “excellent.” There were nine non-serious, surgeon-detected adverse events (ileus, n = 3; seroma, n = 6) and one hernia recurrence (6–12 months).

Conclusions

Compared to baseline, open and laparoscopic surgery improved PROMs 24 months after primary and incisional hernia repair. Minimal complications and recurrence support the long-term efficacy of SCM.

Patient's satisfaction at 2 years after groin hernia repair: any difference according to the technique?

BACKGROUND

Long-term patient's satisfaction after groin hernia repair is rarely studied in the literature. The aim of this study was to compare the four main techniques of inguinal hernia repair in terms of patient's satisfaction and quality of life at the 2-year follow-up in a prospective registry.

METHODS

From September 2011 to March 2014, consecutive patients underwent groin hernia repair and were prospectively included in the Club Hernie registry, which also consisted of expert surgeons in parietal repair. The data on patient demographics, clinical presentation, initial workup, operative technique, postoperative course, clinical follow-up, and quality of life at 2 years (2Y-FU) were recorded.

RESULTS

Overall, 5670 patients were included in the study: 1092 undergoing Lichtenstein's technique, 1259 for trans-inguinal preperitoneal technique (TIPP), 1414 for totally extraperitoneal approach (TEP) and 1905 for transabdominal preperitoneal approach (TAPP). The patients undergoing Lichtenstein's technique were significantly older, with more inguinoscrotal hernias and co-morbidities than those undergoing other techniques. A total of 83% patients had a complete 2Y-FU. The patient's satisfaction at 2Y-FU was similar between the different techniques. In the univariate and multivariate analyses, pain on postoperative day 1 was the only independent prognostic factor of the patient's satisfaction at 2Y-FU.

CONCLUSION

In this large series, no statistical differences were found between the four studied techniques regarding the 2Y-Fu results and patients' satisfaction. Provided the technique has been done properly (expert surgeon) the results and the patients' satisfaction are fair and equivalent among the four studied techniques. In a multivariate analysis, the only factor predictive of bad late results was severe pain at D1.

First Year Preliminary Results on the Use of a Monofilament Polyester Mesh With a Collagen Barrier for Primary and Incisional Ventral Hernia Repair

Aim:

The SymCHro study objective is to assess patient outcomes and surgeon satisfaction following ventral hernia repair with a three-dimensional (3D) monofilament polyester mesh (Symbotex composite mesh) that contains an absorbable collagen barrier on 1 side to minimize tissue attachment.

Methods:

SymCHro is a multicenter observational study of 100 consecutive patients in the French Club Hernie registry who underwent primary and incisional ventral hernia repair with a Symbotex composite mesh. The primary objective is to assess recurrences and complications within 2 years of repair. This analysis reports 1-year results from the ongoing study.

Results:

A total of 105 hernias (37.1% primary, 62.9% incisional) in 100 patients were repaired by open or laparoscopic surgery. The patient follow-up rate at 1 year was 94%. A total of 6 (6.0%) low-grade seromas; 3 (3.0%) cases of low-grade transitory ileus; and 1 (1.0%) recurrence, which was asymptomatic but was repaired, occurred within 1-year follow-up. No serious adverse events were reported. All surgeons responded as satisfied with mesh flexibility and ease of insertion. Relative to baseline, patient pain reduced significantly at day 1 through month 3 postoperatively. At 1 year, 88.3% (83/94) patients assessed the hernia operation results as “good” or “excellent.”

Conclusion:

At this 1-year analysis, 94% of patients were followed up and experienced minimal pain and low complication rates, suggesting that Symbotex composite mesh provides an effective and safe repair for primary and incisional ventral hernias.

Open preperitoneal groin hernia repair with mesh: A qualitative systematic review

BACKGROUND

For the repair of inguinal hernias, several surgical methods have been presented where the purpose is to place a mesh in the preperitoneal plane through an open access. The aim of this systematic review was to describe preperitoneal repairs with emphasis on the technique.

DATA SOURCES

A systematic review was conducted and reported according to the PRISMA statement. PubMed, Cochrane library and Embase were searched systematically. Studies were included if they provided clinical data with more than 30 days follow up following repair of an inguinal hernia with an open preperitoneal mesh technique.

CONCLUSIONS

A total of 67 articles were included, describing nine different methods: Kugel, TREPP, TIPP, Onstep, Horton/Florence, Nyhus, Ugahary, Read, and Stoppa. In general, results regarding pain, recurrences and complications seem promising. It was not possible to conduct a meta-analysis. Open preperitoneal techniques with placement of a mesh through an open approach seem promising compared with the standard anterior techniques. This systematic review provides an overview of these techniques together with a description of surgical methods and clinical outcomes.

Recurrence mechanisms after inguinal hernia repair by the Onstep technique: a case series

PURPOSE

Inguinal hernia repairs should have few complications and a short learning curve. A new operation called Onstep has promising results, but still some recurrences. The aim of the study was to find reasons for recurrence, by studying the re-operations.

METHODS

The study is a case series, where 565 patients operated with Onstep at six hospitals between December 2011 and April 2015 were identified. If a recurrence had occurred, the description of the re-operation was studied and compared to the primary Onstep operation.

RESULTS

We found 26 inguinal hernia recurrences, giving a recurrence rate of 4.6 %. The reasons for recurrence were a cranial displacement of the mesh in five patients, a caudal displacement in three patients, a folded mesh in one patient, and broken sutures in the mesh laterally in six patients. We found indications of a learning curve, since 70 % of the recurrences had their primary operation among the first half of the total Onstep procedures. Another finding was that 30 patients had complaints from the ring in the mesh, and most of these patients were slender. Fifteen patients have had the ring removed, and for six patients with a follow-up, the complaints have been reduced or disappeared.

CONCLUSIONS

The main reasons for recurrence may be broken sutures in the mesh laterally or a suboptimal size of the opening in fascia transversalis medially, enabling the mesh to displace. Furthermore, the results suggest a learning curve. These findings may guide further improvement in the Onstep method for inguinal hernia repair.