Hybrid operation technique for incisional hernia repair: a systematic review and meta-analysis of intra- and postoperative complications

Mini- or less-open sublay (E/MILOS) operation vs open sublay and laparoscopic IPOM repair for the treatment of incisional hernias: a registry-based propensity score matched analysis of the 5-year results

BACKGROUND

Open sublay and laparoscopic IPOM repair have specific disadvantages and risks. In recent years, this evidence led to a paradigm shift and induced the development of new minimally invasive techniques of sublay mesh repair.

METHODS

Pioneering this trend, we developed the endoscopically assisted mini- or less-open sublay (MILOS) concept. The operation is performed trans-hernially via a small incision with light-holding laparoscopic instruments either under direct, or endoscopic visualization. After dissection of an extra-peritoneal space of at least 8 cm, port placement and CO2 insufflation, each MILOS operation can be continued endoscopically (EMILOS repair). All E/MILOS operations were prospectively documented in the Herniamed Registry with 1- and 5-year questionnaire follow-ups. Propensity score matching of incisional hernia operations comparing the results of the E/MILOS operation with the laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh operation (IPOM) and open sublay repair from all other institutions participating in the Herniamed Registry was performed. The results with perioperative complications and 1-year follow-up have been published previously.

RESULTS

This paper reports on the 5-year results. The 5-year follow-up rate was 87.5% (538 of 615 patients with E/MILOS incisional hernia operations). Comparing E/MILOS repair with laparoscopic IPOM and open sublay operation, propensity score matching analysis was possible with 448 and 520 pairs of operations, respectively. Compared with laparoscopic IPOM incisional hernia operation, the E/MILOS repair is associated with significantly fewer general complications (P = 0.004), recurrences (P < 0.001), less pain on exertion (P < 0.001), and less chronic pain requiring treatment (P = 0.016) and tends to result in fewer postoperative complications (P = 0.052), and less pain at rest (P = 0.053). Matched pair analysis with open sublay repair revealed significantly fewer general complications (P < 0.001), postoperative complications (P < 0.001), recurrences (P = 0.002), less pain at rest (P = 0.004), less pain on exertion (P < 0.001), and less chronic pain requiring treatment (P = 0.014). A limitation of this analysis is a relative low 5-year follow-up rate for laparoscopic IPOM and open sublay.

CONCLUSIONS

The E/MILOS technique allows minimally invasive trans-hernial repair of incisional hernias using large standard meshes with low morbidity and good long-term results. The technique combines the advantages of sub-lay repair and a mini- or less-invasive approach.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT03133000.

Comparative effectiveness of hybrid and laparoscopic techniques for repairing complex incisional ventral hernias: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The recently developed Hybrid Hernia Repair technique (HHR), an adaptation of the laparoscopic method, has been proposed as a potential alternative for the treatment of complex Incisional Ventral Hernias (IVH). While single-arm studies have reported promising outcomes, a comprehensive meta-analysis affirming these benefits is lacking. This meta-analysis aims to compare the clinical outcomes of HHR and Laparoscopic Hernia Repair (LHR) in the management of IVH.

METHODS

An exhaustive search of the literature was conducted, targeting publications in both English and Chinese that compare HHR and LHR up to March 31, 2023. The primary outcomes examined were operation time, blood loss, and intestinal injury. Secondary outcomes included rates of seroma, wound infection, post-operative acute/chronic pain, recurrence, and mesh bulging. The RevMan 5.0 software facilitated the statistical meta-analysis.

RESULTS

The final analysis incorporated data from 14 studies, encompassing a total of 1158 patients, with 555 undergoing HHR and 603 treated with LHR. Follow-up data, ranging from 12 to 88 months, were available in 12 out of the 14 identified studies. The HHR method was associated with a significantly lower risk of seroma (OR = 0.29, P = 0.0004), but a higher risk of wound infection (OR = 2.10, P = 0.04). No significant differences were observed between the two techniques regarding operation time, blood loss, intestinal injury, intestinal obstruction, post-operative pain, mesh bulging, and recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

The HHR technique did not demonstrate a clear advantage over LHR in reducing surgical complications, apart from a lower incidence of postoperative seroma. Surgeons with substantial expertise may choose to avoid incidental conversion or intentional hybrid procedures. Further research is needed to clarify the optimal surgical approach for IVH.

Meta-analysis of the effect of laparoscopic surgery and open surgery on long-term quality of life in patients with colorectal cancer

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effect of laparoscopic surgery and open surgery on the quality of life of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) in the growth period after the operation, and to provide a reference for surgical treatment decisions of patients with CRC.

METHODS

PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases were searched through May 7, 2022 for clinical studies comparing the postoperative quality of life in CRC patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery with those who underwent open surgery. Data were extracted from eligible studies following rigorous quality review. All studies included patient numbers, surgery type, follow-up length, and quality of life scores.

RESULTS

A total of 6 studies were included, resulting in significantly better physical functioning scores with laparoscopic versus open surgery. (Standardized mean difference = 0.45; 95% CI (0.15, 0.75), P = .003). However, in general health, social functioning, bodily pain, vitality, quality of life index, Global Quality Scale, physical component summary and mental component summary, there was no telling difference between the 2 surgical therapies.

CONCLUSION

Compared with open surgery, laparoscopic surgery has weak advantages. There was no noteworthy difference in the long-term quality of life between the 2 surgical treatments for CRC patients. Whether laparoscopic surgery can bring more improvement to the quality of life of patients with CRC needs more high-quality clinical randomized studies to verify.

Prophylactic onlay mesh placement techniques for optimal abdominal wall closure: randomized controlled trial in an ex vivo biomechanical model

BACKGROUND

Incisional hernias occur after up to 40 per cent of laparotomies. Recent RCTs have demonstrated the role of prophylactic mesh placement in reducing the risk of developing an incisional hernia. An onlay approach is relatively straightforward; however, a variety of techniques have been described for mesh fixation. The biomechanical properties have not been interrogated extensively to date.

METHODS

This ex vivo randomized controlled trial using porcine abdominal wall investigated the biomechanical properties of three techniques for prophylactic onlay mesh placement at laparotomy closure. A classical onlay, anchoring onlay, and novel bifid onlay approach were compared with small-bite primary closure. A biomechanical abdominal wall model and ball burst test were used to assess transverse stretch, bursting force, and loading characteristics.

RESULTS

Mesh placement took an additional 7-15 min compared with standard primary closure. All techniques performed similarly, with no clearly superior approach. The minimum burst force was 493 N, and the maximum 1053 N. The classical approach had the highest mean burst force (mean(s.d.) 853(152) N). Failure patterns fell into either suture-line or tissue failures. Classical and anchoring techniques provided a second line of defence in the event of primary suture failure, whereas the bifid method demonstrated a more compliant loading curve. All mesh approaches held up at extreme quasistatic loads.

CONCLUSION

Subtle differences in biomechanical properties highlight the strengths of each closure type and suggest possible uses. The failure mechanisms seen here support the known hypotheses for early fascial dehiscence. The influence of dynamic loading needs to be investigated further in future studies.

Practice and short-term outcomes in ventral hernia repair: a prospective multicenter data audit of Indian Association of Gastrointestinal Endo Surgeons Research Collaborative

INTRODUCTION

There is considerable variation in the practice of ventral hernia repair (VHR). Consequently, both short- and long-term outcomes are different. We report the first multicenter data from India on the variations in procedures and short-term outcomes after ventral hernia repair.

METHODS

A prospective study was planned under the aegis of the Indian Association of Gastrointestinal Endo Surgeons (IAGES). Participating surgeons prospectively recorded the data of patients who underwent VHR from January 21, 2021, to April 20, 2021. Patients were followed for 3-6 months.

RESULTS

Data from 648 patients were analyzed for demographics, hernia characteristics, technical variations, and outcomes. 375 (57.8%) were primary hernias (PH) and 273 (42.15%) were incisional hernias (IH), of which 63 (9.7%) were recurrent hernias. In the PH group, there were 171 minimal access (MAS) and 170 open repair. In descending order of frequency, there were 111 (32.6%) open onlay, 83 (24.3%) intraperitoneal onlay meshplasty (IPOM) Plus, 36 (10.6%) IPOM, 35 (10.3%) suture repair, 22 (6.5%) endoscopic Rives Stoppa (eRS), 11 (3.2%) open RS, 11 (3.2%) TAPP, 7 (2%) hybrid, 6 (1.8%) open preperitoneal, 19 (5.6%) others. There were 3.73% seroma, 3.2% SSI, 0% 90-day readmission, 0% recurrence, and 0.3% mortality. In the IH group, 164 patients underwent open repair and 104 MAS repair. In descending order of frequency, there were 90 (33.6%) open onlay, 47 (17.5%) IPOM Plus, 38 (14.1%) open sublay, 28 (10.4%) IPOM, 12 (4.5%) Transversus Abdominis Release (TAR), 11 (4.1%) suture repair, 9 (3.4%) open preperitoneal, 7 (2.6%) hybrid, 6 (2.2%) TAPP, 5 (1.9%) eRS, 4 (1.5%) TARM, 3 (1.1%) endoscopic TAR (eTAR), and 8 (3%) others. There were 13.92% seroma, 4.4% hematoma, 9.5% SSI, 1.1% mesh explantation, 0.4% wound sinus, 2.2% 90-day readmission, 0% recurrence, and 1.1% mortality.

CONCLUSION

Onlay meshplasty is the commonest procedure in India both in PH and IH. IPOM/IPOM plus is the second commonest procedure. TAR is the preferred component separation technique. Complication rates were comparable to published literature.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study was registered with Clinical Trial Registry of India. CTRI number-CTRI/2021/01/030435.