Suture versus preperitoneal polypropylene mesh for elective umbilical hernia repairs

Background

Repair of primary ventral hernias (PVH) such as umbilical hernias is a common surgical procedure. There is a paucity of risk-adjusted data comparing suture versus mesh repair of these hernias. We compared preperitoneal polypropylene (PP) repair versus suture repair for elective umbilical hernia repair.

Methods

A retrospective review of all elective open PVH repairs at a single institution from 2000–2010 was performed. Only patients with suture or PP repair of umbilical hernias were included. Univariate analysis was conducted and propensity for treatment-adjusted multivariate logistic regression.

Results

There were 442 elective open PVH repairs performed; 392 met our inclusion criteria. Of these patients, 126 (32.1%) had a PP repair and 266 (67.9%) underwent suture repair. Median (range) follow-up was 60 mo (1–143). Patients who underwent PP repair had more surgical site infections (SSIs; 19.8% versus 7.9%, P < 0.01) and seromas (14.3% versus 4.1%, P < 0.01). There was no difference in recurrence (5.6% versus 7.5%, P = 0.53). On propensity score–adjusted multivariate analysis, we found that body mass index (odds ratio [OR], 1.10) and smoking status (OR, 2.3) were associated with recurrence. Mesh (OR, 2.34) and American Society of Anesthesiologists (OR, 1.95) were associated with SSI. Only mesh (OR, 3.41) was associated with seroma formation.

Conclusions

Although there was a trend toward more recurrence with suture repair in our study, this was not statistically significant. Mesh repair was associated with more SSI and seromas. Further prospective randomized controlled trial is needed to clarify the role of suture and mesh repair in PVH.     

Laparoscopic versus open umbilical hernia repair.

BACKGROUND: The use of prosthetic material for open umbilical hernia repair has been reported to reduce recurrence rates. The aim of this study was to compare outcomes after laparoscopic versus open umbilical hernia repair. METHODS: We reviewed all umbilical hernia repairs performed from November 1995 to October 2000. Demographic data, hernia characteristics, and outcomes were compared. RESULTS: Of the 76 patients identified, 32 underwent laparoscopic repair (LR), 24 primary suture repairs (PSR), and 20 open repairs with mesh (ORWM). Preoperative characteristics were similar between groups. Hernia size was similar between LR and ORWM groups, and both were larger than that in the PSR group. ORWM compared with the other techniques resulted in longer operating time, more frequent use of drains, higher complication rates, and prolonged return to normal activities (RTNA). The length of stay (LOS) was longer in the ORWM than in the PSR group. When compared with ORWM, LR resulted in lower recurrence rates. LR resulted in fewer recurrences in patients with previous repairs and hernias larger than 3 cm than in both open techniques. CONCLUSIONS: LR results in faster RTNA, and lower complication and recurrence rates compared with those in ORWM. Patients with larger hernias and previous repairs benefit from LR.     

Ventralex mesh in umbilical/epigastric hernia repairs: clinical outcomes and complications

BACKGROUND: Umbilical and epigastric hernias have historically been repaired without mesh resulting in recurrence rates in some series of up to 40%. Recent data suggests mesh repair of these hernias may decrease recurrent hernia rates. Ideal placement of the mesh is behind the defect, which is difficult to do without a large incision in these hernias unless done laparoscopically. The Ventralex hernia patch is a composite PTFE/polypropylene patch allowing intraperitoneal placement behind the hernia defect through a small incision, and without the cost of laparoscopy. To date, only one study exists evaluating this new prosthesis. METHODS: This study is a retrospective chart review of all umbilical and epigastric hernias repaired with the Ventralex hernia patch by a single surgeon. Patient characteristics and operative and post-operative data were collected. Hernia recurrence is the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes include complication rates. RESULTS: Eighty-eight patients from 2003-2006 were evaluated. The population included patients aged 25-86 (mean 52) with nineteen females (22%). The average BMI was 32 (range 18-68). Eighteen patients were smokers, five patients were diabetic, and two patients were chronic steroid users. The size of patches used were small (72%), medium (27%), and unknown (1%). Average operating room time was 52 min (range 19-194). The different types of hernias repaired were umbilical (68%), epigastric (30%), and incisional (2%). Follow-up visits ranged from 8 days to 3.1 years in all but five patients (6%). No hernia recurrences were found in follow-up. Complications included two patients (2.2%) with mesh infection requiring removal of the patch, one patient with post-operative urinary retention, and seroma formation in another patient. CONCLUSIONS: The composite PTFE/polypropylene hernia patch is effective in preventing hernia recurrence in umbilical, epigastric, and small ventral hernia repairs and can be accomplished with a low rate of complications.     

Umbilical hernia in patients with liver cirrhosis: A surgical challenge

Umbilical hernia occurs in 20% of the patients with liver cirrhosis complicated with ascites. Due to the enormous intraabdominal pressure secondary to the ascites, umbilical hernia in these patients has a tendency to enlarge rapidly and to complicate. The treatment of umbilical hernia in these patients is a surgical challenge. Ascites control is the mainstay to reduce hernia recurrence and postoperative complications, such as wound infection, evisceration, ascites drainage, and peritonitis. Intermittent paracentesis, temporary peritoneal dialysis catheter or transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt may be necessary to control ascites. Hernia repair is indicated in patients in whom medical treatment is effective in controlling ascites. Patients who have a good perspective to be transplanted within 3-6 mo, herniorrhaphy should be performed during transplantation. Hernia repair with mesh is associated with lower recurrence rate, but with higher surgical site infection when compared to hernia correction with conventional fascial suture. There is no consensus on the best abdominal wall layer in which the mesh should be placed: Onlay, sublay, or underlay. Many studies have demonstrated several advantages of the laparoscopic umbilical herniorrhaphy in cirrhotic patients compared with open surgical treatment.     

Predictors of recurrence in veteran patients with umbilical hernia: single center experience

BACKGROUND: Different medical and social conditions have been associated with primary and recurrent hernias. Possible predictors of recurrence after elective umbilical hernia repair have not been defined clearly. The aim of this study was to determine factors that predict recurrence in patients after elective repair of umbilical hernias. METHODS: A 6-year retrospective review of patients with elective umbilical hernia repair at the Dallas VA Medical Center was performed. Clinical and pathologic data were evaluated by univariate analysis to identify predictive factors for recurrence. RESULTS: A total of 244 patients underwent elective hernia repair within the study period (male, 96%; mean age, 56 y; Caucasian, 74%; African American, 14%; Hispanic, 8%). Because 15 patients were not compliant with follow-up requirements, 229 were eligible for the study. Ninety-seven underwent suture repair (42.4%) and 132 underwent mesh repair (57.3%). Eleven recurrences were identified (4.8%): 7 in the suture repair group (7.7%) and 4 in the mesh repair group (3%). Univariate analysis showed that patients likely to develop recurrences were as follows: African American (15.6% vs. 3.5%; P = .017), type II diabetics (14.2% vs. 2.6%; P = .002), patients with hyperlipidemia (9.2% vs. 2.6%; P = .028), and human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients (66.6% vs. 3.9%; P = .000). CONCLUSIONS: Smoking, obesity, size of hernia, type of repair, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease do not seem to predict recurrence of hernias in our VA population. African Americans, patients with type II diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and positive for human immunodeficiency virus, may have a higher risk for recurrence after elective umbilical hernia repair.     

“Suture hernia”: identification of a new type of hernia presenting as a recurrence after laparoscopic ventral hernia repair

After laparoscopic repair of ventral or incisional hernias, the recurrence rates reported are around 4%. Different mechanisms for the recurrences have been identified. We report two cases in which the patients were operated on laparoscopically for recurrence after laparoscopic ventral hernia repair. In both cases, the site of the recurrent hernia was situated at the transfascial fixation sutures. Patients were treated by laparoscopy with a larger intraperitoneal mesh covering the new hernia and the old mesh.     

The comparison of laparoscopic and open ventral hernia repairs: a prospective randomized study

Background The laparoscopic approach has emerged in the search for a surgical technique to decrease the morbidity associated with conventional repair of ventral hernias. In this study we aimed to compare the results of our open and laparoscopic ventral hernia repairs prospectively. Methods Between January 2001 and October 2005, a total of 46 patients diagnosed with ventral hernias (primary and incisional) who were admitted to our surgical unit and accepted to be included in this study group were examined. All patients were divided into laparoscopic repair (n = 23) and open repair (n = 23) subgroups in a randomized fashion. The patients’ demographic characteristics, operation times, body mass indices, sizes of fascial defects, hernia locations, durations of hospital stay, presence and degrees of postoperative pain, and postoperative minor and major complications were analysed and compared. All the data were expressed as means ± SDs. Chi-square and Wilcoxon tests were used for statistical analysis, and P < 0.05 was accepted as a significant statistical value (SPSS 11.0 for Windows). Results The demographic characteristics of both groups were similar. Women predominated, especially in the laparoscopy group (P < 0.05). The comparison of the results revealed that the major advantage of laparoscopy was the shortened postoperative hospital stay and the reduced incidence of mesh infection (P < 0.05, P < 0.05). On the other hand, operation time was significantly longer in the laparoscopy group (P < 0.05). The major complications encountered in the laparoscopy group were ileus and a missed enterotomy. The most frequent minor complication was seroma, which was significantly more frequent in the laparoscopy group (P < 0.05). Postoperative pain assessment revealed similar results in both groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions The laparoscopic approach appears to be as effective as open repairs in the treatment of ventral hernias. Advanced surgical skill, laparoscopic experience and high technology are mandatory factors for successful ventral hernia repair.     

Laparoscopic correction of umbilical hernias using a transabdominal preperitoneal approach: results of a pilot study

Background  Laparoscopic repair of umbilical hernias is usually based on the open underlay procedure in which the mesh is placed intra-abdominally. To prevent complications such as adhesions, bowel obstruction and fistula formation we developed a new laparoscopic approach, placing the mesh in the preperitoneal space. Methods  Our laparoscopic approach concerns a standardised procedure with introduction of three intra-abdominally placed trocars. The ventral abdominal wall is incised in a lengthwise manner approximately 5 cm from the umbilical defect, followed by development of the preperitoneal space, reposition of the umbilical peritoneal sac and placement and fixation of a Prolene^TM mesh. The mesh is secured using transfascial Prolene^TM sutures; the peritoneal defect is closed with a running Vicryl^TM suture. Data on 17 patients with primary umbilical hernias laparoscopically operated on between April 2002 and March 2006 are presented. Results  The 11 men and 6 women had a mean age of 57.8 years (range 37–91 years) and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 30.6 kg/m² (range 23.7–37.9 kg/m²). Mean hernia size was 1.95 cm (range 1–3 cm), average mesh size was 110 cm² (range 100–150 cm²). Mean operating time was 85.6 min (range 60–120 min). Mean hospital stay was 2.2 days (range 1–3 days). No major complications were seen. No recurrences were observed during a mean follow-up of 36.2 months (range 13–62 months). Conclusions  The preperitoneal laparoscopic technique for umbilical hernia repair combines the advantages of a laparoscopic, minimally invasive, approach, avoiding the potential complications related to intra-abdominal mesh position.     

肝硬化腹水合并脐疝的Onlay和腹膜前疝修补术对比研究

目的探讨在肝硬化腹水合并脐疝患者的外科治疗中Onlay术式和腹膜前疝修补术式治疗效果的差异。 方法回顾性分析2010年1月至2018年1月,上海交通大学医学院附属第一人民医院收治的肝硬化腹水合并脐疝25例患者的临床资料。根据术式不同分为2组,对照组患者13例行Onlay术式,试验组患者12例行腹膜前疝修补术。比较2组手术时间、排气时间、住院时间、伤口愈合情况及术后复发等观察指标,并进行统计学分析。 结果对照组平均手术时间（56.9±16.3）min,住院时间（8.7±5.8）d,排气时间（2.6±0.7）d。试验组平均手术时间（49.4±17.1）min,住院时间（10.8±4.7）d,排气时间（2.7±0.6）d。2组术后疼痛评分、伤口愈合情况等比较,差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）。观察期内对照组出现轻微伤口感染患者1例,2组患者均未出现复发情况。 结论对于肝硬化腹水合并脐疝患者,Onlay和腹膜前疝修补两种术式在治疗效果可能无明显差异。     

Analysis of risk factors for surgical site infection and postoperative recurrence following inguinal and femoral hernia surgery in adults

ObjectiveWe aimed to evaluate the causes of complications following surgery for inguinal and femoral hernia, using surgical site infection (SSI) and recurrence rate as indicators of outcomes to consider appropriate treatments.MethodsWe retrospectively assessed the medical histories of 1,098 patients with adult inguinal and femoral hernias who underwent herniorrhaphy between July 2010 and March 2019. Using SSI and recurrence rate as indicators of outcomes, we statistically assessed the influence of preoperative and operative conditions on surgical outcomes.ResultsThe occurrence of postoperative SSI was significantly more frequent in patients who experienced a long surgical duration, excessive blood loss, and incarceration; underwent emergency surgery and bowel resection; and in whom no mesh sheet insertion was performed. There was no correlation between mesh use and SSI in cases that did not require emergency incarceration repair. For cases involving hernia incarceration, the use of a mesh sheet was avoided to prevent potential infection, which could explain the high incidence of SSI in cases where mesh was not used. The hernia may have recurred due to technical issues during the procedure, as well as failure to ligate the hernia sac.ConclusionsSelecting the appropriate surgical method for hernia repair may reduce the incidence of SSI. If manual reduction of inguinal hernias is not possible, an appropriate surgical procedure should be determined based on laparoscopic findings in facilities where laparoscopic hernia surgeries are frequently performed. Moreover, in cases without infection and bowel resection, mesh use may be beneficial. Recurrence can be prevented by ligating the hernia sac during surgery and solving relevant technical problems.     

Kugel^TM补片在腹壁疝修补中的应用

目的探讨Kugel补片在腹壁疝治疗中的效果。方法总结2004年1月至2007年1月应用Kugel补片治疗的97个病例的临床资料。结果手术时间缩短30％，住院天数少于10d，术后不良反应少，复发率为1．03％。结论使用Kugel补片的修补术是一种微创、高效的手术。可以使用肌后腹膜前修补的方法（stoppa技术）进行腹壁疝的修补。     

成人腹股沟疝开放式无张力修补术术后手术部位感染高发因素分析

目的探讨成人腹股沟疝开放式无张力修补术术后手术部位感染高发的危险因素及干预措施。 方法选择2010年1月至2017年1月,四川省阿坝藏族羌族自治州人民医院1 500例成人腹股沟疝开放式无张力修补术患者的临床资料,对患者的手术部位感染情况进行单因素回顾性分析。 结果患者的年龄、手术时间、预防性应用抗生药物和合并基础疾病指标结果比较,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）,且危险因素感染关联强度由低到高依次为年龄、合并基础疾病和手术时间;分析患者手术部位感染年龄因素和危险等级可知,手术部位感染发生率随着年龄增长、危险等级的增高而显著的提高;革兰阳性菌对青霉素类和磺胺甲硝唑呈较高的耐药率,革兰阴性菌普遍对氨苄西林耐药率较高。 结论成人腹股沟疝开放式无张力修补手术部位感染的危险因素为手术时间、合并基础疾病、年龄;针对感染患者应选用针对性抗感染药物进行治疗。     

Defining intraoperative hypothermia in ventral hernia repair

Background

Intraoperative normothermia, a single measurement of core body temperature ≥36°C, is an important quality metric outlined by the World Health Organization for the reduction of surgical site infections (SSIs). Hypothermia has been linked to SSI in colorectal and trauma patients, but the effect in ventral hernia repair (VHR) is unknown.

Materials and methods

Patients who underwent VHR at a single institution between 2005 and 2012 were included. Temperature data were matched with National Surgical Quality Improvement Program SSI data. Novel definitions of hypothermia were explored: patient temperature nadir, percentage of time spent at the nadir, mean temperature, and time spent <36°C. Multivariable regression models were performed.

Results

Five hundred fifty-three patients were included with temperature recorded every 8–15 min. Mean temperature nadir was 35.7°C (±1.3°C [standard deviation]) and was not associated with SSI (odds ratio [OR], 0.938; 95% confidence interval, 0.778–1.131). The percentage of readings spent at the nadir was 31% (±31%) and was not predictive of SSI (OR, 1.471; 95% CI, 0.983–2.203). As mean temperature increased, the risk of SSI increased (OR, 1.115; 95% CI, 0.559–2.225). Percentage of temperature readings <36°C was 29% (±38%) and was not associated with SSI (OR, 1.062; 95% CI, 0.628–1.796). In all models, body mass index, smoking, and length of surgery were predictive of SSI.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate no association between temperature and SSI in VHR. Efforts to reduce SSI should focus on factors such as smoking cessation, weight loss, and length of surgery. Our study suggests that maintenance of perioperative normothermia may only decrease SSIs in certain at-risk populations.     

Infection of laparoscopically inserted inguinal hernia repair mesh following subsequent emergency open surgery: a report of two cases

We present two cases of laparoscopically inserted mesh for inguinal hernia repair that became infected following emergency open bowel surgery. We believe that there is an increased risk of infection due to the larger size of mesh used in the laparoscopic repair but also due to the patient not volunteering the information because of the minimally invasive nature of the procedure.     

Tension-free mesh repair of umbilical hernia as a day case using local anaesthesia

Background: Umbilical hernias are a common surgical problem with a high recurrence rate using conventional suture techniques. This prospective study examined the feasibility of tension-free mesh repair as a day case using local anaesthetic (LA) for all primary umbilical hernias. Method: Fifty-four patients (eight women) were operated on; 49 using LA. Through a periumbilical skin incision the margins of the sac were freed from the edges of the defect, and a space was made in the extraperitoneal plane. In defects <3 cm in diameter, a cone of polypropylene (pp) mesh was inserted and attached with nonabsorbable sutures. In defects >3 cm, a flat piece of pp mesh was inserted into the extraperitoneal space as a sublay. No attempt was made to close the fascial defect. Results: Postoperative pain was graded as mild (n=37) and moderate (n=17). No patient had severe postoperative pain. Seven superficial wound infections responded to oral antibiotics. In no case it was necessary to remove the mesh. There were no other complications. Patients were recalled between 2 and 6 years postopertively—mean follow-up 43 months (28– 67). There were no recurrences. Conclusion: Umbilical hernia repair can be carried out safely and securely under LA with a tension-free mesh technique (cone or a sublay patch) with a low morbidity, negligible recurrence rate, and a high degree of patient satisfaction. It should be the procedure of choice for all such hernias.Presented to the 24^th International Congress of the European Hernia Society, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, June 2002     

从我国疝和腹壁外科的历史谈今后的发展

我国对于疝病的认知可追溯到数百年前,经过一代又一代外科医师的不断努力,我国在指南和共识的制定、规范化培训制度的建立、疝病随访系统的建立,以及疝病诊疗质量控制等方面取得了长足的进步。中国目前已在疝病诊疗领域走在了世界的前列,但同时也应该看到在一些复杂疝病方面还需要创新性的开拓,如在腹壁重建技术革新、修复材料科学的发展等方面仍需要进一步努力。如何实现腹壁结构和功能的完整性的统一,材料科学应该是一个突破口。当然我们也应该清醒认识到自身的不足,如疝病专科化、基层外科医生技术水平良莠不齐等短板都亟待进一步解决。另外,如何有效结合机器人手术技术的推广、人工智能、4G网络等信息化技术,都将成为未来造福我国广大疝病患者需要进一步努力发展的方向。     

Predictors of wound infection in ventral hernia repair

BACKGROUND: Postoperative wound infection is a significant risk factor for recurrence after ventral hernia repair (VHR). The current study examines patient- and procedure-specific variables associated with wound infection. METHODS: A cohort of subjects undergoing VHR from 13 regional Veterans Health Administration (VHA) sites was identified. Patient-specific risk variables were obtained from National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) data. Operative variables were obtained from physician-abstracted operative notes. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to model predictors of postoperative wound infection. RESULTS: A total of 1505 VHR cases were used for analysis; wound infection occurred in 5% (n = 74). Best-fit logistic regression models demonstrated that steroid use, smoking, prolonged operative time, and use of absorbable mesh, acting as a surrogate marker for a more complex procedure, were significant independent predictors of wound infection. CONCLUSION: Permanent mesh placement was not associated with postoperative wound infection. Smoking was the only modifiable risk factor and preoperative smoking cessation may improve surgical outcomes in VHR.     

人工合成材料在成人脐疝治疗中的应用(附52例报告)

目的探讨人工合成材料在成人脐疝外科治疗中的应用价值。方法回顾性分析首都医科大学附属北京朝阳医院疝和腹壁疾病治疗中心2001年1月至2005年6月期间收治的52例成人脐疝的临床资料。分析成人脐疝采用人工合成材料治疗的方法、特点及效果。结果全部病例均痊愈出院，平均住院日10d（术后6d）。术后并发症包括伤口感染1例，局部皮瓣坏死1例，伤口皮下积液1例。随访2—54个月无复发。结论采用人工合成材料修补成人脐疝是一种安全、可靠的方法，应根据病人的情况，采用不同的补片和疝修补方式。     

“对位对线”补片放置法在腹腔镜食管裂孔疝修补术中应用：单中心120例分析

背景与目的 腹腔镜下食管裂孔疝（HH）补片修补术以创伤小、恢复快、并发症少等优势已成为治疗HH的主要手术方法。腹腔镜下的补片放置及固定技术仍然是一个难点。本研究介绍一种新式的HH补片放置方法并探讨其临床应用效果。方法 回顾性分析2019年1月—2020年12月中山大学附属第六医院疝和腹壁外科收治的120例行腹腔镜HH补片修补术患者的临床资料。入组患者均采用“对位对线”的补片放置方法。结果 全组患者的平均手术时间为（112±27）min，术后平均住院时间为（4.5±2.2）d，围手术期无死亡病例。手术后早期并发症包括吞咽困难7例，其中5例2周后缓解，2例手术后4周仍诉有吞咽困难，予以胃镜下行球囊扩张治疗后症状可缓解；手术后尿潴留2例，予以留置尿管对症处理后症状缓解；术后腹腔出血1例，予以急诊行腹腔镜探查止血；术后肠梗阻2例，予以保守治疗后痊愈。随访中位时间为26个月，其中14例（11.7%）失访。随访患者中有5例诉临床症状与手术前相比未得到明显改善，其余患者诉临床症状得到完全改善或部分改善。所有随访病例均无确切依据的解剖学复发。所有随访病例未发现补片相关并发症如补片移位、感染、补片侵蚀食管以及大血管等。结论 腹腔镜HH补片修补术中采用“对位对线”的补片放置方法是安全有效的，此方法操作简单容易实施，便于临床推广使用。     

Mesh fixation with human fibrin glue (Tissucol) in open tension-free inguinal hernia repair: a preliminary report

Background: The Lichtenstein technique for inguinal hernia repair is easy to learn and associated with few complications. However, recent studies have suggested that this technique is inferior to some ‘sutureless’ repair systems in terms of perceived difficulty, operating time, surgeon satisfaction, etc. Methods: We employed a sutureless Lichtenstein technique in 80 consecutive patients with primary unilateral inguinal hernia, to assess patient and trainee surgeon outcomes. Human fibrin glue was used in place of conventional sutures. Results: The mean operating time was 36 min and all patients were discharged 5–6 h after the operation. On a 100-point visual analogue scale, the surgeons rated the difficulty of the operation as low (mean score, 31), and perceived satisfaction as high (mean score, 84). No complications were observed at 12-month follow-up. Conclusion: This study confirms the efficacy of mesh fixation with human fibrin glue, and supports the viability of a sutureless Lichtenstein procedure.