Laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal repair of strangulated femoral hernia: Superiority of an unusual emergency surgical approach due to a case

Recurrence Rates after Primary Femoral Hernia Open Repair a Systematic Review

PURPOSE

Femoral hernia accounts for 22% of groin hernia operations in women and for 1.1% in men. Numerous surgical approaches have been reported but there is no consensus. Many of the recurrence rates are reported in old literature, while recent reports are scarce. The aim of the present study was to review rates of recurrences in patients who underwent open repair of a primary femoral hernia.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic search in the electronic literature, using the search terms "femoral hernia" and "recurrence". We included studies published from 2002 that had as primary or secondary endpoint to evaluate the recurrence after surgery. Risk of bias was assessed by the Cochrane risk of bias tool for RCT and by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for cohort studies.

RESULTS

Fifteen eligible articles were included in our systematic review. A total of 1087 procedures were performed according to the defined criteria. The metanalytic evaluation highlighted a higher probability of recurrence for non-mesh than mesh repairs (6.5% vs 1.9%; RR 0.924, 95% CI: 0.857 - 0.996). In patients treated in emergency settings the rate of recurrences was 3.7%; in patients who received elective repairs it was 0.71%. Six studies reported that most of recurrences occurred within the first post-operative year.

CONCLUSION

We found that crude recurrence rate after open repair of a primary femoral hernia is about 4%. This rate is higher in case of non-mesh techniques and in emergency surgery. Our results support the recommendation that femoral hernias should be repaired with mesh techniques.

Complicated femoral hernia: Minimally invasive surgery management

Introduction

Complicated femoral hernias can be managed by minimally invasive surgery techniques in the select group of patients. This helps reduce the morbidity of open surgery and enables faster recovery of the patient.

Concerns Addressed

Delay in diagnosis can be reduced by a good clinical examination of the patient with a high index of suspicion for these patients. Imaging helps to confirm the clinical diagnosis and plan the operative intervention. In trained hands, the complicated femoral hernias can be managed by laparoscopy which enables better visualisation. Post-operative recovery is also enabled by the minimally invasive surgery done.

Conclusion

Minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery can be done in the select group of cases of complicated femoral hernia by trained surgeons.

The Utility of Minimally Invasive Surgery in the Emergency Management of Femoral Hernias: A Systematic Review

Background: Femoral hernias are a relatively rare type of hernia but have a high complication rate, with a high proportion either presenting as an emergency or requiring emergency management. Minimal access surgery has been shown to be safe, with good results, in an elective setting, but there is little published evidence of its utility in an emergency. Methods: A systematic review was conducted searching PubMed, OVID, Embase, and Cochrane reviews for ((Femoral hernia) AND (laparoscop* OR minimal access OR robotic)) AND (strangulat* OR obstruct* OR incarcerat*). Results: 286 manuscripts were identified of which 33 were relevant. 24 were individual case reports, 3 case series, 4 cohort studies or case control series, and 2 high level reviews of National registers. Conclusion: Minimal access surgery can avoid an unnecessary laparotomy for the assessment of hernial contents, especially via a TAPP approach. Minimal access repair of femoral hernias as an emergency is feasible and can be done safely with results similar to open surgery but good quality evidence is lacking.

Laparoscopic approach as a safe and effective option for incarcerated femoral hernias

INTRODUCTION

The laparoscopic approach for elective femoral herniorrhaphy is well established. However, femoral hernias often present as incarcerations and require emergency repair surgery, mainly using the open approach. This study aimed to retrospectively analyze the efficacy of the laparoscopic approach for incarcerated femoral hernias.

METHODS

Data of patients who underwent emergency surgery for incarcerated femoral hernia between April 2016 and August 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Laparoscopy was performed whenever possible; however, conversion to an open approach remained a fallback option for when laparoscopic repair was not possible. In laparoscopic repair, incarcerated femoral hernias reduced using traction, water pressure, and preperitoneal methods. Data of patients who underwent open repair and laparoscopy were then compared.

RESULTS

During the observation period, 20 patients underwent emergency surgery for incarcerated femoral hernia. Eleven patients subsequently underwent repair using a laparoscopic approach, and eight underwent repair using an open approach. Only one patient underwent intestinal resection without hernia repair due to perforated bowel. Operative time for laparoscopic repair was longer. Mesh repair was performed in 18 patients. Four patients each in the laparoscopic repair and open group required intestinal resection.

CONCLUSION

Incarcerated femoral hernias can be safely repaired using the laparoscopic approach.