The impact of weight change on intra-abdominal and hernia volumes

Preoperative Optimization for Abdominal Wall Reconstruction

Patients requiring abdominal wall reconstruction may have medical comorbidities and/or complex defects. Comorbidities such as smoking, diabetes, obesity, cirrhosis, and frailty have been associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications. Prehabilitation strategies are variably associated with improved outcomes. Large hernia defects and loss of domain may present challenges in achieving fascial closure, an important part of restoring abdominal wall function. Prehabilitation of the abdominal wall can be achieved with the use of botulinum toxin A, and preoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum.

The incidence and impact of enterotomy during laparoscopic and robotic ventral hernia repair: a nationwide readmissions analysis

INTRODUCTION

Our aim was to define the national incidence of enterotomy (ENT) during minimally invasive ventral hernia repair (MIS-VHR) and evaluate impact on short-term outcomes.

METHODS

The 2016-2018 Nationwide Readmissions Database was queried using ICD-10 codes for MIS-VHR and enterotomy. All patients had 3-months follow-up. Patients were stratified by elective status; patients without ENT (No-ENT) were compared against ENT patients.

RESULTS

In total, 30,025 patients underwent LVHR and ENT occurred in 388 (1.3%) patients; 19,188 (63.9%) cases were elective including 244 elective-ENT patients. Incidence was similar between elective versus non-elective cohorts (1.27% vs 1.33%; p = 0.674). Compared to laparoscopy, ENT was more common during robotic procedures (1.2% vs 1.7%; p = 0.004). Comparison of elective-No-ENT vs elective-ENT showed that elective-ENT patients had a longer median LOS (2 vs 5 days; p < 0.001), higher mean hospital cost ($51,656 vs $76,466; p < 0.001), increased rates of mortality (0.3% vs 2.9%; p < 0.001), and higher 3-month readmission (10.1% vs 13.9%; p = 0.048). Non-elective cohort comparison demonstrated non-elective-ENT patients had a longer median LOS (4 vs 7 days; p < 0.001), higher mean hospital cost ($58,379 vs $87,850; p < 0.001), increased rates of mortality (0.7% vs 2.1%;p < 0.001), and higher 3-month readmission (13.6% vs 22.2%; p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis (odds ratio, 95% CI), higher odds of enterotomy were associated with robotic-assisted procedures (1.386, 1.095-1.754; p = 0.007) and older age (1.014, 1.004-1.024; p = 0.006). Lower odds of ENT were associated with BMI > 25 kg/m² (0.784, 0.624-0.984; p = 0.036) and metropolitan teaching vs metropolitan non-teaching (0.784, 0.622-0.987; p = 0.044). ENT patients (n = 388) were more likely to be readmitted with post-operative infection (1.9% vs 4.1%; p = 0.002) or bowel obstruction (1.0% vs 5.2%;p < 0.001) and more likely to undergo reoperation for intestinal adhesions (0.3% vs 1.0%; p = 0.036).

CONCLUSION

Inadvertent ENT occurred in 1.3% of MIS-VHRs, had similar rates between elective and urgent cases, but was more common for robotic procedures. ENT patients had a longer LOS, and increased cost and infection, readmission, re-operation and mortality rates.

Impact of COVID-19 on volume of elective and nonelective ventral hernia repair

BACKGROUND

The significant decrease in elective surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic prompted fears that there would be an increase in emergency or urgent operations for certain disease states. The impact of COVID-19 on ventral hernia repair is unknown. This study aimed to compare volumes of elective and nonelective ventral hernia repairs performed pre-COVID-19 with those performed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

An analysis of a prospective database from 8 hospitals capturing patient admissions with the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision Procedure Coding System for ventral hernia repair from January 2017 through June 2021 were included. During, COVID-19 was defined as on or after March 2020.

RESULTS

Comparing 3,558 ventral hernia repairs pre-COVID-19 with 1,228 during COVID-19, there was a significant decrease in the mean number of elective ventral hernia repairs per month during COVID-19 (pre-COVID-19: 61 ± 5 vs during COVID-19 19: 39 ± 11; P < .001), and this persisted after excluding the initial 3-month COVID-19 surge (61 ± 5 vs 42 ± 9; P < .001). There were fewer nonelective cases during the initial 3-month COVID-19 surge (32 ± 9 vs 24 ± 4; P = .031), but, excluding the initial surge, there was no difference in nonelective volume (32 ± 9 vs 33 ± 8; P = .560). During COVID-19, patients had lower rates of congestive heart failure (elective: 9.0% vs 6.6%; P = .0047; nonelective: 17.7% vs 11.6%; P < .001) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (elective: 13.7% vs 10.2%; P = .017; nonelective: 17.9% vs 12.0%; P < .001) and underwent fewer component separations (10.2% vs 6.4%; P ≤ .001). Intensive care unit admissions decreased for elective ventral hernia repairs (7.7% vs 5.0%; P = .016). Length of stay, cost, and readmission were similar between groups.

CONCLUSION

Elective ventral hernia repair volume decreased during COVID-19 whereas nonelective ventral hernia repairs transiently decreased before returning to baseline. During COVID-19, patients appeared to be lower risk and less complex. The possible impact of the more complex patients delaying surgery is yet to be seen.

State-of-the-art abdominal wall reconstruction and closure

Open ventral hernia repair is one of the most common operations performed by general surgeons. Appropriate patient selection and preoperative optimization are important to ensure high-quality outcomes and prevent hernia recurrence. Preoperative adjuncts such as the injection of botulinum toxin and progressive preoperative pneumoperitoneum are proven to help achieve fascial closure in patients with hernia defects and/or loss of domain. Operatively, component separation techniques are performed on complex hernias in order to medialize the rectus fascia and achieve a tension-free closure. Other important principles of hernia repair include complete reduction of the hernia sac, wide mesh overlap, and techniques to control seroma and other wound complications. In the setting of contamination, a delayed primary closure of the skin and subcutaneous tissues should be considered to minimize the chance of postoperative wound complications. Ultimately, the aim for hernia surgeons is to mitigate complications and provide a durable repair while improving patient quality of life.

Outcomes of biologic versus synthetic mesh in CDC class 3 and 4 open abdominal wall reconstruction

INTRODUCTION

Abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR) in a contaminated field is associated with an increased risk of wound complications, infection, and reoperation. The best method of repair and mesh choice in these operations have generated marked controversy. Our aim was to compare outcomes of patients who underwent AWR with biologic versus synthetic mesh in CDC class 3 and 4 wounds.

METHODS

A prospective, single-institution database was queried for AWR using biologic or synthetic mesh in CDC Class 3 and 4 wounds. Hernia recurrence and complications were measured. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors predicting both.

RESULTS

In total, 386 patients with contaminated wounds underwent AWR, 335 with biologic and 51 with synthetic mesh. Groups were similar in age, sex, BMI, and rate of diabetes. Biologic mesh patients had larger hernia defects (298 ± 233cm² vs. 208 ± 155cm²; p = 0.004) and a higher rate of recurrent hernias (72.2% vs 47.1%; p < 0.001), comorbidities(5.8 ± 2.7 vs. 4.2 ± 2.4, p < 0.01), and a nearly fivefold increase in Class 4 wounds (47.8% vs. 9.8%, p < 0.001), while fascial closure trended to being less common (90.7% vs 96.1%; p = 0.078). Hernia recurrence was comparable between biologic and synthetic mesh (10.4% vs. 17.6%, p = 0.132). Wound complication rates were similar (36.1% vs. 33.3%, p = 0.699), but synthetic mesh had higher rates of mesh infection (1.2% vs 11.8%; p < 0.001) and infection-related resection (0% vs 7.8%, p < 0.001), with 66% of those synthetic mesh infections requiring excision. On logistic regression, wound complications (OR 5.96 [CI 1.60-22.17]; p = 0.008) and bridging mesh (OR 13.10 [CI 2.71-63.42];p = 0.030) predicted of hernia recurrence (p < 0.05), while synthetic mesh (OR 18.6 [CI 2.35-260.4] p = 0.012) and wound complications (OR 20.6 [CI 3.15-417.7] p = 0.008) predicted mesh infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Wound complications in AWR with CDC class 3 and 4 wounds significantly increased mesh infection and hernia recurrence; failure to achieve fascial closure also increased hernia recurrence. Use of synthetic versus biologic mesh increased the mesh infection rate by 18.6 times.

Analyzing material changes consistent with degradation of explanted polymeric hernia mesh related to clinical characteristics

BACKGROUND

Proposed mechanisms that potentially contribute to polypropylene mesh degradation after in vivo exposure include oxidizing species and mechanical strains induced by normal healing, tissue integration, muscle contraction, and the immediate and chronic inflammatory responses.

METHODS

This study explores these potential degradation mechanisms using 63 mesh implants retrieved from patients after a median implantation time of 24 months following hernia repair surgery (mesh explants) and analysis of multivariate associations between the material changes and clinical characteristics. Specifically, polypropylene mesh degradation was characterized in terms of material changes in surface oxidation, crystallinity and mechanical properties, and clinical characteristics included mesh placement location, medical history and mesh selection.

RESULTS

Compared to pristine control samples, subsets of mesh explants had evidence of surface oxidation, altered crystallinity, or changed mechanical properties. Using multivariate statistical approach to control for clinical characteristics, infection was a significant factor affecting changes in mesh stiffness and mesh class was a significant factor affecting polypropylene crystallinity changes.

CONCLUSIONS

Highly variable in vivo conditions expose mesh to mechanisms that alter clinical outcomes and potentially contribute to mesh degradation. These PP mesh explants after 0.5 to 13 years in vivo had measurable changes in surface chemistry, crystallinity and mechanical properties, with significant trends associated with factors of mesh placement, mesh class, and infection.

The European Hernia Society Prehabilitation Project: a systematic review of patient prehabilitation prior to ventral hernia surgery

BACKGROUND

Ventral hernia repair is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures worldwide. To reduce the risk of complications, patient prehabilitation has received increasing focus in recent years. To assess prehabilitation measures, this European Hernia Society endorsed project was launched. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the current literature on patient prehabilitation prior to ventral hernia repair.

METHODS

The strategies examined were optimization of renal disease, obesity, nutrition, physical exercise, COPD, diabetes and smoking cessation. For each topic, a separate literature search was conducted, allowing for seven different sub-reviews.

RESULTS

A limited amount of well-conducted research studies evaluating prehabilitation prior to ventral hernia surgery was found. The primary findings showed that smoking cessation and weight loss for obese patients led to reduced risks of complications after abdominal wall reconstruction.

CONCLUSION

Prehabilitation prior to ventral hernia repair may be widely used; however, the literature supporting its use is limited. Future studies evaluating the impact of prehabilitation before ventral hernia surgery are warranted.

Visceral obesity is a predictor of surgical site occurrence and hernia recurrence after open abdominal wall reconstruction

PURPOSE

High body mass index (BMI) increases the risk of postoperative complications and hernia recurrence after abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR). However, BMI does not provide specific information on the mass and distribution of adipose tissue. We hypothesized that visceral fat volume (VFV) was a better predictor than BMI for recurrence after AWR.

METHODS

We included all patients undergoing AWR at our institution from November 2010 to December 2016. Data were collected from a prospective database and all patients were summoned for follow-up. VFV was calculated from preoperative CT. The primary and secondary outcomes were hernia recurrence and 30-day postoperative surgical site occurrences (SSO), respectively.

RESULTS

We included a total of 154 patients. At follow-up, 42 (27.3%) patients had developed recurrence. The recurrence rate was significantly higher in patients with a VFV higher than the mean compared to a VFV lower than the mean, P = 0.004. After multivariable Cox-regression, VFV remained significantly predictive of recurrence (HR 1.09 per 0.5 L increase of VFV, P = 0.018). In contrary, BMI was not associated with hernia recurrence. There was no significant difference in the rate of SSO between patients with a VFV above and below the mean. A multivariable logistic regression model showed that VFV was significantly associated with development of SSO (OR 1.12 per 0.5 L increase, P = 0.009).

CONCLUSION

VFV was significantly associated with recurrence and SSOs after AWR. This study suggests VFV as a risk assessment tool for patients undergoing AWR.

Prevalence and risk factors of abdominal hernia among Saudi population

Objective:

Studies assessing prevalence and risk factors of abdominal hernia are scarce in Saudi Arabia, that is why this study aimed to find out the prevalence and risk factors of abdominal hernia among the Saudi Population in 2020.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was done on 500 participants. A pre-designed questionnaire included three sections: Section A consisted of sociodemographic, Section B had items for three dimensions: pain at the site of the hernia or the hernia repair, restriction of activities, cosmetic discomfort; Section C included medical history and other associated risk factors of hernia.

Results:

The prevalence of abdominal hernia in our study was found to be 38.8%. The participants in 18-25 years had less prevalence (21.2%). participants with BMI >25 (Overweight and Obese) had higher prevalence than others. The mean EuraHS-QoL score in participants who had abdominal hernia was significantly higher than patients who didn't have AH. Age >40 years, male gender, BMI >25, congenital anomalies, history of abdominal surgery, history of abdominal trauma, family history, grand multipara, chronic cough, chronic bronchitis, and smoking were potential predictive factors of AH.

Conclusion:

Abdominal hernia is a common problem in Saudi Arabia. Abdominal hernias are more common in men than women, there is an obvious relationship between obesity, history of abdominal surgery, history of abdominal trauma, family history and hernias. Early diagnosis, easily accessible health facilities and health education are important to prevent complications and improve quality of life.

Perioperative optimization in complex abdominal wall hernias: Delphi consensus statement

BACKGROUND

The incidence of incisional hernia after major abdominal surgery via a midline laparotomy is 20-41 per cent with short-term follow-up, and over 50 per cent in those surviving an abdominal catastrophe. Abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR) requires complex operations, often involving mesh resection, management of scarred skin, fistula takedown, component separation or flap reconstruction. Patients tend to have more complex conditions, with multiple co-morbidities predisposing them to a vicious cycle of complications and, subsequently, hernia recurrence. Currently there appears to be variance in perioperative practice and minimal guidance globally. The aim of this Delphi consensus was to provide a clear benchmark of care for the preoperative assessment and perioperative optimization of patients undergoing AWR.

METHODS

The Delphi method was used to achieve consensus from invited experts in the field of AWR. Thirty-two hernia surgeons from recognized hernia societies globally took part. The process included two rounds of anonymous web-based voting with response analysis and formal feedback, concluding with a live round of voting followed by discussion at an international conference. Consensus for a strong recommendation was achieved with 80 per cent agreement, and a weak recommendation with 75 per cent agreement.

RESULTS

Consensus was obtained on 52 statements including surgical assessment, preoperative assessment, perioperative optimization, multidisciplinary team and decision-making, and quality-of-life assessment. Forty-six achieved over 80 per cent agreement; 14 statements achieved over 95 per cent agreement.

CONCLUSION

Clear consensus recommendations from a global group of experts in the AWR field are presented in this study. These should be used as a baseline for surgeons and centres managing abdominal wall hernias and performing complex AWR.