Prevention of incisional hernia after aortic aneurysm repair.

BACKGROUND: Incisional hernia is a common late complication of elective abdominal aneurysm (AAA) repair. This paper describes a technique that could prevent the development of this condition. METHODS: Since Jan 2001, a polypropylene mesh has been sutured prophylactically in the pre-peritoneal space during abdominal closure after elective AAA repair. RESULTS: Twenty-eight consecutive elective procedures were performed. One patient died from a myocardial infarct 13 days after operation. Four patients (14%) had a wound infection (1 deep methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection and 3 superficial) that were treated successfully with antibiotics and dressings. One additional patient had a positive MRSA wound swab but required no treatment. Two patients required late re-operations. One, who was on warfarin, required an urgent laparotomy for a leaking false aneurysm of the distal anastomoses 3 months after elective repair. A second patient had an anterior resection 18 months after aneurysm repair. Both re-operations were uneventful. No patient has yet developed a clinically evident incisional hernia. CONCLUSIONS: These early data suggest that this mesh technique is a simple, safe and potentially effective method to decrease the incidence of incisional hernia following aortic aneurysm repair.     

Use of Permacol in complicated incisional hernia

Polypropylene mesh repair is the gold standard for primary inguinal hernia and incisional hernia. Wound infection and small bowel fistulas are contraindications to polypropylene mesh repair. In addition, synthetic meshes are known to cause severe peritoneal adhesions and enteric fistulas if located close to the bowel. Porcine intestinal submucosa has been used successfully in experimental studies in dogs and rats to repair large abdominal wall defects. A new porcine dermal collagen graft has been used in man for groin hernia repair, incisional hernia repair and other surgical procedures without complications. We describe 6 cases of complicated incisional hernia operated in emergency using porcine dermal collagen grafts. In one woman the incisional hernia was associated with an enterovaginal fistula. Three cases presented severe wound infections, two of which related to a previous polypropylene mesh repair, while another had an irreducible recurrent incisional hernia and one woman presented complete evisceration. None of the patients had postoperative or porcine-graft-related complications. Over a follow-up period of 3-24 months we have had no recurrence or wound infection. The results of these few cases confirm the safety and efficacy of the porcine dermal collagen mesh also in incisional hernia repair.     

Incisional hernia and its repair with polypropylene mesh in renal transplant recipients

PURPOSE: We evaluate the incidence of incisional hernia after kidney transplantation, predisposing factors and the results of surgical repair with polypropylene mesh. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the records of 371 consecutive kidney transplants performed between April 1995 and February 2000. Patients with clinical signs of hernia at the transplant incision site were included in the study. Predisposing factors for incisional hernia were also reviewed. A prospective protocol of surgical correction was established using polypropylene mesh and patient outcome was studied. RESULTS: We identified 14 patients (3.8%) with an incisional hernia at the transplant incision site. Hernias developed 3 to 840 days after transplant surgery and were significantly more common in white (p = 0.019) and cadaveric graft (p = 0.02) recipients. Predisposing factors in 11 cases included complications of transplant surgery in 7, bladder obstruction in 2, large polycystic kidneys in 1 and chronic pulmonary disease in 1. Surgical repair was performed by primary fascial approximation and polypropylene mesh reinforcement in 13 cases and by pre-peritoneal mesh placement in 1. Minor subcutaneous wound infection developed in 1 patient. No relapses were noted at a mean followup of 17.8 months. CONCLUSIONS: In the majority of cases incisional hernia develops in the first 3 months after transplant surgery. The incidence is significantly higher in white patients and after cadaveric donor transplantation. Surgical complications of transplant surgery are important predisposing factors for incisional hernia after kidney transplantation. Surgical repair using polypropylene mesh is safe and effective in this group of patients.     

善愈聚丙烯补片在小切口疝的临床应用

目的探讨总结善愈聚丙烯补片在腹部小切口疝的临床应用经验。方法对我院2007年1月至2009年2月收治的26例腹壁小切口疝临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果本组患者均治愈,手术时间30—70min,患者术后疼痛轻,未使用止痛药,无切口感染,无术后慢性疼痛,平均手术费用4100元,随访3～25个月,无并发症,异物感不明显。结论善愈补片修补腹壁小切口疝是一种安全、可靠的手术方式。     

Abdominal lipectomy and mesh repair of midline periumbilical hernia after bariatric surgery: How to spare the umbilicus

Background: Abdominal lipectomy is becoming an increasingly common surgical procedure in patients with esthetic deformities resulting from massive weight loss induced by bariatric surgery. Sometimes a midline incisional hernia coexists with the pendulus abdomen. Herein presented is a technique to perform a retromuscular mesh repair of the incisional hernia while sparing the umbilicus. Methods: The abdominal lipectomy with concomitant retro-muscular mesh repair of a midline incisional hernia is done sparing the vascular supply of the umbilicus on one side only. Results: 5 consecutive women with pendulus abdomen resulting from bariatric surgery-induced massive weight loss and concomitant midline incisional hernia underwent abdominal lipectomy and incisional hernia mesh repair. Mean BMI was 28.6 kg/m² (range 26–35), one patient was a smoker, and another had type 2 diabetes requiring oral hypoglycemic agents. Two patients had had a previous incisional hernia repair with intraperitoneal mesh. One patient had partial necrosis of the umbilicus and another experienced necrosis of only the epidermis that recovered fully. Conclusions: The umbilicus can be safely spared during abdominal lipectomy with concomitant midline incisional hernia mesh repair. Recurrent incisional hernia and common risk factors for wound healing such as diabetes and obesity increase the risk of umbilical necrosis.     

The safety and efficacy of prosthetic hernia repair in clean-contaminated and contaminated wounds

Prosthetic mesh reinforcement of abdominal wall hernias has gained acceptance as a result of its ease of placement and a favorably low incidence of hernia recurrence. However, its use in contaminated wounds secondary to open bowel exposure is felt to be contraindicated because of potential septic complications and lack of incorporation. The impact of permanent mesh placement in contaminated fields on wound morbidity, hernia recurrence, and mortality was examined. Records of 24 consecutive patients having permanent mesh placement in contaminated wounds for repair of abdominal wall hernias between 1994 and 2001 were reviewed. Factors examined included age, hernia type, body mass index, comorbidity, degree of contamination, concurrent gastrointestinal procedures, wound morbidity, and mortality. The mean age and body mass index were 63 years and 26.1 kg/m2 respectively. Twelve patients had risk factors for wound complications or were immunocompromised. There were 11 incisional, eight parastomal, two femoral, and two inguinal repairs and one obturator hernia repair. Twenty-three were repaired with polypropylene and one with Gore-Tex mesh. Prosthetic herniorrhaphy was performed in nine patients with ostomies already in place and in 15 patients with concomitant bowel resections. Of those with bowel resections five had enterocutaneous fistulae, three had bowel resection because of injury during mobilization, six had resections for necrotic bowel, and one had enterostomy closure. Fourteen cases were clean contaminated and ten contaminated. Eight cases were performed under emergency conditions. Wound-related morbidity occurred in five patients (21%) and in all but one was limited to cellulitis and minor wound infections. Three patients died, but in all cases death was unrelated to the surgical procedure. No patient required mesh removal. One patient had a recurrent hernia after parastomal repair. Placement of permanent mesh prostheses in clean-contaminated and contaminated operative fields can be performed with minimal wound-related morbidity and patient mortality. Utilization of permanent mesh in these wounds is associated with a low incidence of hernia recurrence and eliminates the need for further surgery.     

Tissucol application in dermolipectomy and incisional hernia repair

Biological adhesives have a lot of applications in surgical procedures. Here we present a prospective study with the aim of analyzing results of the application of Tissucol between the muscle layers and subcutaneous tissue after incisional hernia repair with polypropylene mesh and associated dermolipectomy. We assess clinical and technical parameters, local morbidity, and hospital stay. Fifty-six patients were divided into two groups. Patients with whom we used fibrin glue were older, with more obesity (P < 0.005) with associated diseases, and their incisional hernias were larger and more complicated to repair. Patients in the Tissucol group developed less local morbidity (hematomas or abscesses; P < 0.01), had a shorter mean hospital stay (P < 0.01), and required less wound care. The use of Tissucol improves the results of surgical repair of large abdominal incisional hernias repaired by mesh placement and dermolipectomy, and it decreases global morbidity and hospital stay are reduced.     

Intraperitoneal polypropylene mesh repair of incisional hernia is not associated with enterocutaneous fistula

BACKGROUND: Incisional hernia repair with prosthetic material is followed by fewer recurrences than primary repair. Polypropylene is the most commonly used prosthetic material but may cause entero- cutaneous fistulas. The aim of this study was to determine whether enterocutaneous fistulas developed after incisional hernia repair with polypropylene mesh and to evaluate clinical outcome after incisional hernia repair. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the outcome of incisional hernia repair with polypropylene mesh between 1982 and 1998 was conducted. Follow-up data were obtained from medical records and questionnaires. RESULTS: Polypropylene incisional hernia repair was performed in 136 patients. Median follow-up was 34 months. No enterocutaneous fistulas developed. Wound infection occurred in 6 per cent. Wound sinus formation occurred in two patients. No mesh was removed because of infection and no persisting infection of the mesh occurred. CONCLUSION: Enterocutaneous fistula formation appears to be very rare after incisional hernia repair with polypropylene mesh, regardless of intraperitoneal placement, omental coverage or closing of the peritoneum.     

Primary closure of laparotomies with high risk of incisional hernia using prosthetic material: analysis of usefulness

Incisional hernia continues to be a serious postoperative complication in abdominal surgery. We present a prospective randomised study to evaluate the usefulness of placement of a supra-aponeurotic polypropylene mesh in the primary closure of laparotomies with a high risk of incisional hernia. Closure of a vertical laparotomy in 100 patients was accomplished with continuous suture using non-reabsorbable material, with placement of a polypropylene mesh on the aponeurotic surface in 50 patients. Three years after surgery, five patients in the group without the mesh had suffered incisional hernia. No incisional hernia was detected in the group in which closure was made using the mesh (P=0.02). Use of prosthetic material (polypropylene mesh) in the primary closure of laparotomies with a high risk of incisional hernia is useful for reduction of the rate of incisional hernias.     

Porcine dermal collagen (Permacol) for abdominal wall reconstruction

OBJECTIVE: A review of Eisenhower Army Medical Center's experience using Permacol (Tissue Science Laboratories, Covington, Georgia) for the repair of abdominal wall defects. METHODS: Retrospective review of medical records of patients undergoing abdominal wall reconstruction with Permacol. RESULTS: From July 30, 2003 to February 12, 2005, 9 patients underwent repair of complicated fascial defects with Permacol. Indications for surgery included reoperative incisional hernia repair after removal of a infected mesh (3 patients), reconstruction of a fascial defect after resection of an abdominal wall tumor (2 patients), incisional hernia repair in a patient with a previous abdominal wall infection after a primary incisional hernia repair (1 patient), incisional hernia repair in a patient with an ostomy and an open midline wound (1 patient), emergent repair of incisional hernia with strangulated bowel and multiple intra-abdominal abscesses (1 patient), and excision of infected mesh and drainage of intra-abdominal abscess with synchronous repair of the abdominal wall defect (1 patient). At a median follow-up of 18.2 months, 1 recurrent hernia existed after intentional removal of the Permacol. This patient developed an abdominal wall abscess 7 months after hernia repair secondary to erosion from a suture. Overall, 1 patient developed exposure of the Permacol after a skin dehiscence. The wound was treated with local wound care, and the Permacol was salvaged. Despite the presence of contamination (wound classification II, III, or IV) in 5 of 9 patients (56%), no infectious complications occurred. CONCLUSION: Complex reconstruction of the abdominal wall can be associated with a high complication rate. Placement of a permanent prosthetic mesh in a contaminated field is associated with a high rate of wound infections and subsequent mesh removal. Permacol becomes incorporated by tissue ingrowth and neovascularization. Permacol is a safe and acceptable alternative to prosthetic mesh in the repair of complicated abdominal wall defects.     

腹壁切口疝的外科治疗(附53例临床分析)

目的总结治疗腹壁切口疝的临床经验.方法对1994年4月～2002年8月53例腹壁切口疝患者在年龄、手术方法、引流放置,抗生素应用及预后进行回顾性分析.结果53例患者采用人工合成材料或直接缝合修补.术后切口积液3例,无切口感染.随访时间3月～5年,治愈46例,复发7例.结论腹壁切口疝是腹部手术后常见的并发症之一,尤其是老年患者.合理使用人工合成材料及直接缝合修补法适可以获得良好的治疗效果.     

An unusual cause of chronic anemia and abdominal pain caused by transmural mesh migration in the small bowel after laparoscopic incisional hernia repair

Mesh repair of incisional hernia is recommended to reduce recurrence. Recognized complications include mesh infection and fistula. Composite meshes with antiadhesive barriers were designed for intraperitoneal placement to reduce adhesion formation and fistulization to the viscera. Transmural mesh migration is a rare complication of hernia repair with composite mesh and can be present with a variety of symptoms. We report an interesting case of transmural mesh migration into the small bowel presenting with chronic microcytic anemia and abdominal pain 5 years after laparoscopic incisional hernia repair with a composite polypropylene/ePTFE mesh.     

Review of technique for combined closed incisional hernia repair and panniculectomy status post-open bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: After open bariatric surgery, many patients develop incisional hernia. Patients who were once morbidly obese provide a unique challenge to hernia repair, given the larger nature of their fascial defects and the concomitant problem of extreme amounts of abdominal wall laxity. We reviewed a technique for surgical repair of incisional hernias combined with panniculectomy. METHODS: A retrospective review of 50 consecutive patients status post-open bariatric surgery who underwent incisional hernia repair with overlay mesh and combined panniculectomy between 2000 and 2003. RESULTS: Hernia repair and panniculectomy were performed 18 months after open bariatric surgery. The patients had an average weight loss of 58.6 kg. Mean follow-up after hernia repair and panniculectomy was 18 months. Patients underwent prefascial hernia repair with plication of the fascial edges followed by midline anchoring of overlay mesh. The averave amount of excess tissue excised via panniculectomy was 3,001 g. The average hospital stay was 4 days. Minor wound problems (eg, suture abscess, seroma) occurred in 20 patients. Seromas were treated with serial aspiration in the office. There were no intra-abdominal complications or recurrences of the incisional hernias. CONCLUSION: Closed hernia repair with prefascial plication and overlay mesh is a safe, effective alternative to traditional incisional hernia repair. It provides adequate hernia repair without recurrence and eliminates intra-abdominal complications. It is our belief that combining the hernia repair and panniculectomy minimizes the risk of hernia recurrence through alleviation of stress on the repair by removing excess abdominal wall tissue.     

Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair with extraperitoneal mesh: surgical technique and early results

Laparoscopic repair of ventral abdominal wall hernias involves intraperitoneal placement of a mesh, which may lead to adhesion formation and bowel fistulation. The first series of selected patients with ventral abdominal wall hernias treated laparoscopically by extraperitoneal placement of a polypropylene mesh is presented. Thirty-four patients (24 women and 10 men; median age, 52 years [range, 34-70]) were selected from among 122 patients undergoing laparoscopic ventral hernia repair. Of these patients, 18 had a primary ventral abdominal wall hernia and 16 had an incisional hernia. After reduction of sac contents and adhesiolysis intraperitoneally, a large flap of peritoneum (with extraperitoneal fat, fascia, and posterior rectus sheath where present) was raised to accommodate a suitably sized polypropylene mesh, which was then covered again with the peritoneal flap at the end of the procedure. Intraoperatively, apart from circumcision of the hernial sac at the neck, a total of 24 iatrogenic peritoneal tears occurred in 20 patients, mainly at the site of the previous scar. In two patients, it was observed that greater than 25% of the mesh was exposed after the procedure. The median (+/-SD) duration of hospitalization postoperatively was 1 day (+/-0.56). One patient's hernia recurred 4 months after surgery, and one patient's infected mesh was removed 8 months after surgery. Laparoscopic extraperitoneal placement of a mesh is feasible and appears to be an advance over laparoscopic intraperitoneal mesh placement for ventral abdominal wall hernias in selected patients. However, longer follow-up and controlled clinical trials will be necessary before any firm conclusions can be drawn.     

Incisional hernia—comparison of mesh repair with Cardiff repair: an university hospital experience

Background: Incisional hernia is a frequent complication of abdominal surgery. Various types of repair are recommended for incisional hernia. Suture and mesh repair are compared in the present study. Method: One hundred seventy one patients with incisional hernia underwent Cardiff repair (far and near sutures with reinforcement sutures) which was used as an open suture repair while onlay polypropylene mesh was used in the mesh repair technique. Result: Cardiff repair was performed in 116 patients with no mortality with recurrence in two patients with mean follow up of 7.1 years. Both these patients with recurrence had a defect measuring more than 10 cm in width. Mesh repair was carried out in 55 patients with no recurrence in mean follow up of 37 months. Seroma formation was noted in 7 (12.72%) with mesh repair as compared to 4 (3.44%) patients with Cardiff repair. Conclusion: We recommend Cardiff repair for primary and small to medium size incisional hernias. Onlay polypropylene mesh is ideal for tension-free hernia repair, recurrent incisional hernia and hernia defects wider than 10 cm.     

Randomized clinical trial of suture repair, polypropylene mesh or autodermal hernioplasty for incisional hernia

BACKGROUND: Since conventional suture repair for incisional hernia is associated with high recurrence rates, alloplastic and autoplastic prosthetic techniques have been suggested. METHODS: In a randomized trial, 160 patients with simple or complex hernias underwent either suture repair, autodermal skin graft or onlay polypropylene mesh repair. Suture repair was not done in complex hernias. This report concerns a planned interim analysis. RESULTS: At mean follow-up of 16 months, there were 17 hernia recurrences that were distributed similarly between the surgical techniques. There were fewer infectious complications after suture repair (three of 33 patients) than after skin graft or mesh repair (seven of 39 and five of 28 for simple hernias; seven of 31 and ten of 29 respectively for complex hernias) (P not significant). The severity of infections after polypropylene mesh implantation prompted the trial committee to discontinue the study. No differences were noted in duration of stay in hospital and quality of life. However, pain was significantly more frequent after polypropylene mesh repair (pooled risk ratio 2.9 and 1.8 at 6 weeks and 1 year respectively). CONCLUSION: Suture repair was safe for small incisional hernias. Both autoplastic and alloplastic hernia repair yielded comparably low recurrence rates, but led to a high rate of wound infection.     

腹壁切口疝补片修补术后复发的再手术治疗

目的总结腹壁切口疝补片修补术后复发再次手术治疗的经验。方法回顾性分析我院2007年1月至2010年12月期间收治的16例腹壁切口疝补片修补术后复发再次手术患者的资料。结果所有患者均再次采用补片进行修补,其中13例除去旧补片置入新补片修补,2例新补片与原补片重叠并扩大范围修补,1例在原补片上直接重叠新补片修补。术后所有患者切口均Ⅰ期愈合,3例发生补片上方积液,经穿刺加压后治愈。术后住院时间7～16 d,平均9 d。术后引流管拔除时间2～7 d,平均4 d。所有患者均获随访,随访时间5～36个月,平均20个月,1例有轻微腹壁异物感,无修补区慢性疼痛,无疝复发。结论补片修补术后复发性切口疝再次手术时需综合考虑复发疝的位置以及既往选用的补片类型和修补方法,再次手术需选用合适的补片及修补方法方可取得满意效果。     

Randomized clinical trial comparing lightweight composite mesh with polyester or polypropylene mesh for incisional hernia repair

BACKGROUND: Polymer mesh has been used to repair incisional hernias with lower recurrence rates than suture repair. A new generation of mesh has been developed with reduced polypropylene mass and increased pore size. The aim of this study was to compare standard mesh with new lightweight mesh in patients undergoing incisional hernia repair. METHODS: Patients were randomized to receive lightweight composite mesh, or standard polyester or polypropylene mesh. Outcomes were evaluated at 21 days, 4, 12 and 24 months from patient responses to the Short Form 36 (SF-36) and daily activity questionnaires. Complications and recurrence rates were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 165 patients were included in an intention-to-treat analysis (83 lightweight mesh, 82 standard mesh). Postoperative complication rates were similar. The overall hernia recurrence rate was 17 per cent with the lightweight mesh versus 7 per cent with the standard mesh (P = 0.052). There were no differences in SF-36 physical function scores or daily activities between 21 days and 24 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: The use of the lightweight composite mesh for incisional hernia repair had similar outcomes to polypropylene or polyester mesh with the exception of a non-significant trend towards increased hernia recurrence. The latter may be related to technical factors with regard to the specific placement and fixation requirements of lightweight composite mesh.     

腹壁疝补片修补术后补片感染14例分析

目的：探讨疝修补术后补片感染的原因、预防及治疗方法。方法回顾性分析1997年12月至2013年12月我院收治的14例使用补片修补腹壁疝术后补片感染的临床资料。其中腹股沟疝平片修补1例,腹股沟疝腹膜前间隙修补11例,切口疝1例,使用巴德Composix补片开放式腹腔内补片修补;造口疝1例,腹壁肌肉前置入补片修补。根据感染程度、材料不同采用相应的治疗方法,4例去除补片,10例开放换药。结果全组患者均治愈出院,无围手术期死亡。手术过程中无大出血和膀胱损伤。随访时间8～64个月,1例切口疝术后复发。结论产生补片感染的原因很多,预防感染最为重要。一旦发生补片感染,治疗方法应个体化,有效引流及合理运用抗生素可解决多数聚丙烯（PPM）补片感染,唯膨体聚四氟乙烯（ePTFE）补片需完全去除。     

Elective colonic operation and prosthetic repair of incisional hernia: does contamination contraindicate abdominal wall prosthesis use?

BACKGROUND: Wound infection and sepsis leading to incisional hernia development are common after emergency colonic operations. Later on, while being operated on to correct an incisional hernia, most of these patients will need colonic resection or bowel continuity reestablishment. Simultaneous treatment of incisional hernias in patients with colostomy or colonic disease remains a difficult challenge, considering the reluctance of most surgeons to treat both conditions at the same time, especially when prosthetic repair is needed. STUDY DESIGN: The aim of this study was to analyze the short-term results of patients undergoing colonic resection or bowel continuity reestablishment and simultaneous incisional hernia repair with an onlay polypropylene mesh technique. Over a period of 6 years, 20 patients were operated on for colonic problems associated with incisional hernias, including 8 Hartmanns' colostomies, 6 colostomies or ileostomies with colonic mucous fistulas, 3 postoperative colocutaneous fistulas, a paracolostomic hernia, a Chagas' megacolon, and a pseudotumoral diverticulitis. A "rule of three" statistical analysis was used to estimate the maximum risk of adverse effects, concerning mesh-related morbidity, after 1- and 2-year followup. RESULTS: A major complication occurred in a patient who developed an anastomotic leakage and secondary wound infection; the patient was treated with parenteral nutrition and antibiotics. Other complications included a minor wound infection, a seroma, and a chronic sinus. One patient died from postoperative problems unrelated to the surgical technique. The occurrence of postoperative wound infection did not prevent mesh incorporation. Followup ranging from 1 to 7 years detected no hernia recurrences; 13 patients were followed for 2 years or more. Our results suggest that risk of mesh-related morbidity does not exceed 15.8% (3 of 19) within the first year and 23.1% (3 of 13) for 2 years followup, with 95% confidence. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that prosthetic repair of incisional hernias associated with simultaneous colonic operations was possible, allowing abdominal wall anatomy reestablishment. There is no reason to believe that abdominal wall prostheses must be avoided in contaminated operations when an adequate surgical technique is used.