Direct and Recurrent Inguinal Hernias Are Associated with Ventral Hernia Repair: A Database Study

Background

A systemically altered connective tissue metabolism has been demonstrated in patients with abdominal wall hernias. The most pronounced connective tissue changes are found in patients with direct or recurrent inguinal hernias as opposed to patients with indirect inguinal hernias. The aim of the present study was to assess whether direct or recurrent inguinal hernias are associated with an elevated rate of ventral hernia surgery.

Methods

In the nationwide Danish Hernia Database, a cohort of 92,457 patients operated on for inguinal hernias was recorded from January 1998 until June 2010. Eight-hundred forty-three (0.91 %) of these patients underwent a ventral hernia operation between January 2007 and June 2010. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to assess an association between inguinal and ventral hernia repair.

Results

Direct (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.28 [95 % CI, 1.08–1.51]) and recurrent (OR = 1.76, [95 % CI, 1.39–2.23]) inguinal hernias were significantly associated with ventral hernia repair after adjustment for age, gender, and surgical approach (open or laparoscopic).

Conclusions

Patients with direct and recurrent inguinal herniation are more prone to ventral hernia repair than patients with indirect inguinal herniation. This is the first study to show that herniogenesis is associated with type of inguinal hernia.     

A randomized prospective trial comparing clinical outcomes 3 years after surgery by Marcy repair and Prolene Hernia System® repair for adult indirect inguinal hernia

Purpose

The use of mesh in the surgical repair of adult indirect inguinal hernias is widely recommended in Western countries, but no randomized controlled trials have so far been reported in Japan. The purpose of the present randomized prospective trial was to compare a mesh method with non-mesh method for surgical repair of primary adult indirect inguinal hernias in which the diameter of the internal inguinal ring was up to 3.0 cm (I-1 or I-2 of Japanese Hernia Society Classification).

Methods

Patients with a primary unilateral inguinal hernia and I-1 or I-2 surgical findings were randomized to undergo either Marcy repair or Prolene Hernia System^® repair. Primary endpoints were recurrence, infection, and pain, with follow-up continued for 3 years postoperatively.

Results

Ninety-one of 479 patients with an inguinal hernia during the study period did not meet the exclusion criteria, and 46 were allocated to Marcy repair and 45 were allocated to Prolene Hernia System^® repair. No recurrence was observed in either group, and no significant differences were identified between the groups in any of the primary endpoints.

Conclusion

This randomized prospective trial of I-1 and I-2 inguinal hernias suggests that Marcy repair is not inferior to PHS repair. A large-scale randomized controlled trial appears warranted to confirm whether to use mesh for Japanese adult I-1 and I-2 hernias.     

Long-term recurrence and complication rates after incisional hernia repair with the open onlay technique

Background

Family history, male gender and age are significant risk factors for inguinal hernia disease. Family history provides evidence for a genetic trait and could explain early recurrence after inguinal hernia repair despite technical advance at least in a subgroup of patients. This study evaluates if age and family history can be identified as risk factors for early recurrence after primary hernia repair.

Methods

We performed an observational cohort study for 75 patients having at least two recurrent hernias. The impact of age, gender and family history on the onset of primary hernias, age at first recurrence and recurrence rates was investigated.

Results

44% (33/75) of recurrent hernia patients had a family history and primary as well as recurrent hernias occurred significantly earlier in this group (p = 0.04). The older the patients were at onset the earlier they got a recurrent hernia. Smoking could be identified as on additional risk factor for early onset of hernia disease but not for hernia recurrence.

Conclusion

Our data reveal an increased incidence of family history for recurrent hernia patients when compared with primary hernia patients. Patients with a family history have their primary hernias as well as their recurrence at younger age then patients without a family history. Though recurrent hernia has to be regarded as a disease caused by multiple factors, a family history may be considered as a criterion to identify the risk for recurrence before the primary operation.     

The inheritance of groin hernia: a systematic review

Background

Groin hernia has been proposed to be hereditary; however, a clear hereditary pattern has not been established yet. The purpose of this review was to analyze studies evaluating family history and inheritance patterns and to investigate the possible heredity of groin hernias.

Methods

A literature search in the MEDLINE and Embase databases was performed with the following search terms: genetics, heredity, multifactorial inheritance, inheritance patterns, sibling relations, family relations, and abdominal hernia. Only English human clinical or register-based studies describing the inheritance of groin hernias, family history of groin hernias, or familial accumulation of groin hernias were included.

Results

Eleven studies evaluating 37,166 persons were included. The overall findings were that a family history of inguinal hernia was a significant risk factor for the development of a primary hernia. A family history of inguinal hernia showed a tendency toward increased hernia recurrence rate and significantly earlier recurrence. The included studies did not agree on the possible inheritance patterns differing between polygenic inheritance, autosomal dominant inheritance, and multifactorial inheritance. Furthermore, the studies did not agree on the degree of penetrance.

Conclusion

The literature on the inheritance of groin hernias indicates that groin hernia is most likely an inherited disease; however, neither the extent of familial accumulation nor a clear inheritance pattern has yet been found. In order to establish whether groin hernias are accumulated in certain families and to what extent, large register studies based on hernia repair data or clinical examinations are needed. Groin hernia repair (inguinal and femoral hernia) is among the most commonly performed gastrointestinal surgical procedures [1]. Emergency groin hernia surgery is associated with increased mortality, increased patient-related morbidity, and increased hospital stay compared with elective groin hernia procedures [2, 3]. Identifying patients at high risk of developing groin hernia would therefore provide the possibility of timely elective surgical intervention, thus reducing the rate of emergency procedures. It could also potentially make way for individualized surgical methods in the future.     

The incidence and natural course of occult inguinal hernias during TAPP repair

Background

One of the proposed advantages of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair is complimentary inspection of the contralateral side and possible detection of occult hernias. Incidence of occult contralateral hernias is as high as 50 %. The natural course of such occult defects is unknown and therefore operative rationale is lacking. This study was designed to analyze the incidence of occult contralateral inguinal hernias and its natural course.

Methods

A total of 1,681 patients were diagnosed preoperatively with unilateral inguinal hernia. None of these patients had complaints of the contralateral side preoperatively. All patients underwent laparoscopic inguinal hernia transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair. Operative details were analyzed retrospectively. Patients with occult contralateral defects were identified and tracked. Patients with an evident occult hernia received immediate repair. Patients with a smaller beginning or incipient hernia were followed.

Results

In 218 (13 %) patients, an occult hernia was found at the contralateral side during preoperative exploration. In 129 (8 %) patients, an occult true hernia was found. In 89 (5 %) patients, an occult incipient hernia was found. An incipient hernia was defined as a beginning hernia. All patients with an incipient hernia were followed. The mean follow-up was 112 (range 16–218) months. Twenty-eight (32 %) patients were lost to follow-up. In the 61 remaining patients, 13 (21 %) occult incipient hernias became symptomatic requiring repair. The mean time between primary repair and development of a symptomatic hernia on the contralateral side was 88 (range 24–210) months.

Conclusions

This study shows that the incidence of occult contralateral hernias is 13 % during TAPP repair of unilateral diagnosed inguinal hernias. In 5 % of the cases, the occult hernia consisted of a beginning hernia. Eventually, one of five will become symptomatic and require repair. These outcomes support immediate repair of occult defects, no matter its size.     

Inguinal hernia repair in women: is the laparoscopic approach superior?

Purpose

Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair is associated with reduced post-operative pain and earlier return to work in men. However, the role of laparoscopic hernia repair in women is not well reported. The aim of this study was to review the outcomes of the laparoscopic versus open repair of inguinal hernias in women and to discuss patients’ considerations when choosing the approach.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of all consecutive patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair from January 2005 to December 2009 at a single institution was conducted. Presentation characteristics and outcome measures including recurrence rates, post-operative pain and complications were compared in women undergoing laparoscopic versus open hernia repair.

Results

A total of 1,133 patients had an inguinal herniorrhaphy. Of these, 101 patients were female (9 %), with a total of 111 hernias. A laparoscopic approach was chosen in 44 % of patients. The majority of women (56 %) presented with groin pain as the primary symptom. Neither the mode of presentation nor the presenting symptoms significantly influenced the surgical approach. There were no statistically significant differences in hernia recurrence, post-operative neuralgia, seroma/hematoma formation or urinary retention between the two approaches (p < 0.05). A greater proportion of patients with bilateral hernias had a laparoscopic approach rather than an open technique (12 vs. 2 %, p = 0.042).

Conclusions

Laparoscopic herniorrhaphy is as safe and efficacious as open repair in women, and should be considered when the diagnosis is in question, for management of bilateral hernias or when concomitant abdominal pathology is being addressed.     

Characterizing the Global Burden of Surgical Disease: A Method to Estimate Inguinal Hernia Epidemiology in Ghana

Background

Surgical conditions represent an immense yet underrecognized source of disease burden globally. Characterizing the burden of surgical disease has been defined as a priority research agenda in global surgery. Little is known about the epidemiology of inguinal hernia, a common easily treatable surgical condition, in resource-poor settings.

Methods

Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey prospective cohort study of inguinal hernia, we created a method to estimate hernia epidemiology in Ghana. We calculated inguinal hernia incidence and prevalence using Ghanaian demographic data and projected hernia prevalence under three surgical rate and hernia incidence scenarios. Disability adjusted life-years (DALYs) associated with inguinal hernia along with costs for surgical repair were estimated.

Results

According to this approach, the prevalence of inguinal hernia in the Ghanaian general population is 3.15 % (range 2.79–3.50 %). Symptomatic hernias number 530,082 (range 469,501–588,980). The annual incidence of symptomatic hernias is 210 (range 186–233) per 100,000 population. At the estimated Ghanaian hernia repair rate of 30 per 100,000, a backlog of 1 million hernias in need of repair develop over 10 years. The cost of repairing all symptomatic hernias in Ghana is estimated at US$53 million, and US$106 million would be required to eliminate hernias over a 10-year period. Nearly 5 million DALYs would be averted with the repair of prevalent cases of symptomatic hernia in Ghana.

Conclusions

Data generated by our method indicate the extent to which Ghana lacks the surgical capacity to address its significant inguinal hernia disease burden. This approach provides a simple framework for calculating inguinal hernia epidemiology in resource-poor settings that may be used for advocacy and program planning in multiple country contexts.     

A new accurate method of physical examination for differentiation of inguinal hernia types

Background

It is generally stated that preoperative differentiation between indirect and direct inguinal hernias by physical examination is inaccurate and irrelevant. With the expansion of the laparoscopic technique, new relevance has emerged. Laparoscopic correction of an indirect hernia is more challenging and time consuming than laparoscopic correction of a direct hernia. Preoperative knowledge concerning the type of hernia informs the laparoscopic surgeon about the required expertise and the expected operative time, and this knowledge is useful for training programs and management. The authors therefore developed a new accurate and easy method of physical examination to differentiate types of inguinal hernia. A prospective study was conducted to determine the accuracy of this new method that combines physical examination with a hand-held Doppler device (not ultrasound) to differentiate types of inguinal hernia.

Methods

This prospective diagnostics study consisted of two consecutive parts. Each part included 100 consecutive patients presenting with an inguinal hernia. The inguinal occlusion test was used to differentiate the types of inguinal hernia during physical examination in the first part of the study. A hand-held Doppler device was used for adequate localization of the epigastric vessels in addition to the occlusion test in the second part of the study. Preoperative remarks were compared with findings during laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. The McNemar symmetry χ ² test was used for statistical evaluation

Results

The first part of the study showed a preoperative accuracy of 35 % for direct inguinal hernias and 86 % for indirect inguinal hernias (p < 0.001). The second part of the study showed a preoperative accuracy of 79 % for direct inguinal hernias and 93 % for indirect inguinal hernias (p < 0.001)

Conclusion

The inguinal occlusion test combined with the use of a handheld Doppler device is accurate in distinguishing direct and indirect inguinal hernias and provides useful management information in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.     

An estimation of inguinal hernia epidemiology adjusted for population age structure in Tanzania

Purpose

Surgical conditions represent a significant source of global disease burden. Little is known about the epidemiology of inguinal hernia in resource-poor settings. We present a method to estimate inguinal hernia disease burden in Tanzania.

Methods

Using data from the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) prospective cohort study and Tanzanian demographic figures, we calculated inguinal hernia incidence and prevalence in Tanzanian adults under three surgical rate scenarios. Gender-specific incidence figures from NHANES data were adjusted according to Tanzanian population age structure. Hernia duration was adjusted for Tanzanian life expectancy within each age group.

Results

The prevalence of inguinal hernia in Tanzanian adults is 5.36 % while an estimated 12.09 % of men had hernias. Today, 683,904 adults suffer from symptomatic inguinal hernia in Tanzania. The annual incidence of symptomatic hernias in Tanzanian adults is 163 per 100,000 population. At Tanzania’s current hernia repair rate, a backlog of 995,874 hernias in need of repair will develop over 10 years. 4.4 million disability-adjusted life-years would be averted with repair of prevalent symptomatic hernias in Tanzania.

Conclusions

Our data indicate the extent of inguinal hernia disease burden in Tanzania. By adjusting our figures for the age structure of Tanzania, we have demonstrated that while the incidence of symptomatic cases may be lower than previously thought, prevalence of inguinal hernia in Tanzania remains high. This approach provides an update to our previously described methodology for calculation of inguinal hernia epidemiology in resource-poor settings that may be used in multiple country contexts.     

Female ‘groin’ hernia: totally extraperitoneal (TEP) endoscopic repair seems the most appropriate treatment modality

Background

About 30% of all female ‘groin’ hernias are femoral hernias, although often only diagnosed during surgery. A Lichtenstein repair though, as preferred treatment modality according to guidelines, would not diagnose and treat femoral hernias. Totally extraperitoneal (TEP) hernia repair, however, offers the advantage of being an appropriate modality for the diagnosis and subsequent treatment of both inguinal and femoral hernias. TEP therefore seems an appealing surgical technique for women with groin hernias.

Methods

This study included all female patients ≥18?years operated for a groin hernia between 2005 and 2009.

Results

A total of 183 groin hernias were repaired in 164 women. TEP was performed in 85% of women; the other 24 women underwent an open anterior (mesh) repair. Peroperatively, femoral hernias were observed in 23% of patients with primary hernias and 35% of patients with recurrent hernias. There were 30 cases (18.3%) of an incorrect preoperative diagnosis. Peroperatively, femoral hernias were observed in 17.3% of women who were diagnosed with an inguinal hernia before surgery. In addition, inguinal hernias were found in 24.0% of women who were diagnosed with a femoral hernia preoperatively. After a follow-up of 25?months, moderate to severe (VAS 4-10) postoperative pain was reported by 8 of 125 patients (6.4%) after TEP and 5 of 23 patients (21.7%) after open hernia repair (P?=?0.03). Five patients had a recurrent hernia, two following TEP (1.4%) and three following open anterior repair (12.5%, P?=?0.02). Two of these three patients presented with a femoral recurrence after a previous repair of an inguinal hernia.

Conclusion

Femoral hernias are common in women with groin hernias, but not always detected preoperatively; this argues for the use of a preperitoneal approach. TEP hernia repair combines the advantage of a peroperative diagnosis and subsequent appropriate treatment with the known good clinical outcomes.     

Use of fibrin sealant (Tisseel/Tissucol) in hernia repair: a systematic review

Background

Abdominal wall and inguinal hernia repair are the most frequently performed surgical procedures in the United States and Europe. However, traditional methods of mesh fixation are associated with a number of problems including substantial risks of recurrence and of postoperative and chronic pain. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize the clinical safety and efficacy of Tisseel/Tissucol fibrin sealant for hernia mesh fixation.

Methods

A PubMed title/abstract search was conducted using the following terms: (fibrin glue OR fibrin sealant OR Tisseel OR Tissucol) AND hernia repair. The bibliographies of the publications identified in the search were reviewed for additional references.

Results

There were 36 Tisseel/Tissucol studies included in this review involving 5,993 patients undergoing surgery for hernia. In open repair of inguinal hernias, Tisseel compared favorably with traditional methods of mesh fixation, being associated with shorter operative times and hospital stays and a lower incidence of chronic pain. Similarly, after laparoscopic/endoscopic inguinal hernia repair, Tisseel/Tissucol was associated with less use of postoperative analgesics and less acute and chronic postoperative pain than tissue-penetrating mesh-fixation methods. Other end points of concern to surgeons and patients are the risks of inguinal hernia recurrence and of complications such as hematoma formation and intraoperative bleeding. Comparative studies show that Tisseel/Tissucol does not increase the risk of these outcomes and may, in fact, decrease the risk compared with tissue-penetrating fixation methods. When used in the repair of incisional hernias, Tisseel/Tissucol significantly decreased both postoperative morbidity and duration of hospital stay.

Conclusions

Clinical evidence published to date supports the use of Tisseel/Tissucol as an option for mesh fixation in open and laparoscopic/endoscopic repair of inguinal and incisional hernias. Guidelines of the International Endohernia Society recommend fibrin sealant mesh fixation, especially in inguinal hernia repair. Nonfixation is reserved for selected cases.     

Short- and long-term outcomes of open inguinal hernia repair: comparison of the Prolene Hernia System and the Mesh Plug method

Purpose

Tension-free mesh repair of adult inguinal hernias has become a standard procedure, but there have been few comparisons of the postoperative outcome after hernia repair using the Prolene Hernia System (PHS) vs. the Mesh Plug (MP) method in a large number of patients from a single institution.

Methods

We reviewed the medical records of patients to investigate the short- and long-term outcomes of the different types of hernia repair. Late symptoms were evaluated by questionnaire. A total of 1,141 repairs performed from 1999 to 2008 (PHS in 957 and MP in 184 repairs) were evaluated.

Results

There were 93 early postoperative complications (8.2 %). A subcutaneous hematoma was found more frequently after MP repair compared with after PHS repair (3.8 vs. 1.3 %, P = 0.013). Seven hundred and ten patients (62.2 %) could be followed up for more than 2 years. Recurrence was detected in 14 patients with PHS repair and two patients with MP repair (1.5 vs. 1.1 %, P = 0.956). Wound infections occurred in three patients (0.3 %) with PHS repair vs. none with MP repair (P > 0.999). Patients with PHS and MP repair showed no significant differences in the long-term wound pain.

Conclusions

The recurrence and wound infection rates were similar after hernia repair using the PHS and MP methods. Patients undergoing PHS repair developed fewer subcutaneous hematomas. An older age (≥65 years) was a significant independent risk factor for recurrence.     

A comparison of outcomes between open and laparoscopic surgical repair of recurrent inguinal hernias

Background

Inguinal hernia recurrence after surgical repair is a major concern. The authors report their experience with open and laparoscopic repair of recurrent inguinal hernias.

Methods

After institutional review board approval, a retrospective review was performed with the charts of 197 patients who had undergone surgical repair of recurrent inguinal hernias from January 2000 through August 2009, and the data for 172 patients who met the inclusion criteria were analyzed. Surgical variables and clinical outcomes were compared using Student??s t test, the Mann?CWhitney U test, chi-square, and Fisher??s exact test as appropriate.

Results

The review showed that 172 patients had undergone either open mesh repair (n?=?61) or laparoscopic mesh repair (n?=?111) for recurrent inguinal hernias. Postoperative complications were experienced by 8 patients in the open group and 17 patients in laparoscopic group (p?=?0.70). Five patients (8.2%) in the open group and four patients (3.6%) in the laparoscopic group had re-recurrent inguinal hernias (p?=?0.28). Four patients in the open group (9.5%) and no patients in the laparoscopic group had recurrence during long-term follow-up evaluation (p?=?0.046). In the laparoscopic group, 76 patients (68.5%) underwent total extraperitoneal (TEP) repair, and 35 patients (31.5%) had transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair. Postoperative complications were experienced by 13 patients in the TEP group and 4 patients in the TAPP group (p?=?0.44). Two patients (2.6%) in the TEP group and two patients (5.7%) in the TAPP group had re-recurrent inguinal hernias (p?=?0.59).

Conclusions

This retrospective review showed no statistical difference in the re-recurrence rate between the two techniques during short-term follow-up evaluation. However, the laparoscopic technique had a significantly lower re-recurrence rate than the open technique during long-term follow-up evaluation. Both procedures were comparable in terms of intra- and postoperative complications. Among laparoscopic techniques, TEP and TAPP repair are acceptable methods for the repair of recurrent inguinal hernia. A multicenter prospective randomized control trial is needed to confirm the findings of this study.     

Lightweight versus heavyweight mesh in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair: a meta-analysis

Background

Reinforcement of inguinal hernia repair with prosthetic mesh is standard practice but can cause considerable pain and stiffness around the groin and affect physical functioning. This has led to various types of mesh being engineered, with a growing interest in lighter-weight mesh. Minimally invasive approaches have also significantly reduced postoperative recovery from inguinal hernia repair. The aim of this systematic review was to compare the outcomes after laparoscopic inguinal repair using new lightweight or traditional heavyweight mesh in published randomised controlled trials.

Methods

Medline, Embase, trial registries, conference proceedings, and reference lists were searched for controlled trials of heavyweight versus lightweight mesh for laparoscopic repair of inguinal hernias. The primary outcomes were recurrence and chronic pain. Secondary outcomes were visual analogue pain score at 7?days postoperatively, seroma formation, and time to return to work. Risk differences were calculated for categorical outcomes and standardised mean differences for continuous outcomes.

Results

Eight trials were included in the analysis of 1,667 hernias in 1,592 patients. Mean study follow-up was between 2 and 60?months. There was no effect on recurrence [pooled analysis risk difference 0.00 (95% CI ?0.01 to 0.01), p?=?0.86] or chronic pain [pooled analysis risk difference ?0.02 (95% CI ?0.04 to 0.00); p?=?0.1]. Lightweight and heavyweight mesh repair had similar outcomes with regard to postoperative pain, seroma development, and time to return to work.

Conclusion

Both mesh options appear to result in similar long- and short-term postoperative outcomes. Further long-term analysis may guide surgeon selection of mesh weight for laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.     

Low recurrence rate and low chronic pain associated with inguinal hernia repair by laparoscopic placement of Parietex ProGrip™ mesh: clinical outcomes of 220 hernias with mean follow-up at 23 months

Introduction

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the safety and the efficacy of the self-gripping Parietex ProGrip? mesh (Sofradim Production, Trévoux, France) used with the laparoscopic approach for inguinal hernia repair. The incidence of chronic pain, post-operative complications, patient satisfaction and hernia recurrence at follow-up after 12 months was evaluated.

Methods

Data were collected retrospectively from patient files and were analyzed for 169 male and female patients with 220 primary inguinal hernias. All patients included had undergone surgical repair for inguinal hernia by the laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal approach using Parietex ProGrip? meshes performed in the same clinical center in Germany. Pre-, per- and post-operative data were collected, and a follow-up after 12 months was performed prospectively. Complications, pain scored on a 0–10 numeric rating scale (NRS), patient satisfaction and hernia recurrence were assessed.

Results

The only complications were minor and were post-operative: hematoma/seroma (3 cases), secondary hemorrhage through the trocar’s site (2 cases), hematuria, emphysema in the inguinal regions (both sides) and swelling above the genital organs (1 case for each). At mean follow-up at 22.8 months, there were only 3 reports of hernia recurrence: 1.4 % of the hernias. Most patients (95.9 %) were satisfied or very satisfied with their hernia repair with only 1.2 % reporting severe pain (NRS score 7–10) and 3.6 % reported mild pain.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that in experienced hands, inguinal hernia repair surgery performed by laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal hernioplasty using Parietex ProGrip? self-gripping meshes is rapid, efficient and safe with low pain and low hernia recurrence rate.     

Unsuspected femoral hernia in patients with a preoperative diagnosis of recurrent inguinal hernia

Purpose

Small femoral hernias may be difficult to diagnose by physical examination and are sometimes identified unexpectedly by laparoscopy. The aim of this study was to examine the incidence of unsuspected femoral hernia discovered during laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in two well-defined patient groups.

Methods

Patients undergoing laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair from April 2000 until December 2009 (n?=?561) were prospectively registered including data on previous hernia operations and identified type of hernia during surgery. We included patients whose preoperative diagnosis was either bilateral primary inguinal hernia (Primary Group) or recurrent inguinal hernia (Recurrent Group).

Results

Four hundred and sixty-one (82.2?%) patients were included in the study, of whom 211 (45.8?%) was in the Primary Group and 250 (54.2?%) in the Recurrent Group. The incidence of unsuspected femoral hernia in the Recurrent Group [23/250, 9.2?% (95?% CI 5.9–13.5?%)] was significantly higher than in the Primary Group [8/211, 3.8?% (95?% CI 1.7–7.3?%)], p?=?0.02. Furthermore, 38.1?% of women operated on for a recurrent inguinal hernia, presented with an unsuspected femoral hernia at surgery as opposed to 6.6?% of the men, p?=?0.003.

Conclusion

Unsuspected femoral hernias are more prevalent in patients with recurrent hernia than in patients with primary hernia in the inguinal region. Femoral hernias may be unrecognized at the primary inguinal hernia operation, or the previous inguinal hernia operation may facilitate the formation of a femoral hernia. Unsuspected femoral hernias are especially frequent in women with recurrent inguinal hernia. In women with a groin hernia, a femoral hernia should always be excluded by laparoscopy or by open exploration of the preperitoneal space.     

Repeated laparoscopic treatment of recurrent inguinal hernias after previous posterior repair

Background

The reported recurrence rates after laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair are 0–4 %. It is unclear which technique could best be offered to a patient with a recurrent hernia after a previous posterior repair. The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the safety, feasibility, and reliability of a repeated laparoscopic repair (TAPP) for a recurrent hernia after a previous posterior inguinal hernia repair.

Methods

The study group contains 2,594 consecutive transabdominal inguinal hernia repairs (TAPP). Of these, 53 repairs were attempted in 51 patients for recurrent hernias after a previous posterior repair. During the follow-up period, patients were examined for recurrences and for presence of a port-site hernia. Pain was scored by the visual analogue pain scale (VAS).

Results

Fifty-one patients underwent a TAPP repair for a recurrent inguinal hernia after previous posterior hernia repair. Two patients presented a bilateral recurrent inguinal hernia. In two thirds of the patients, the recurrence was located caudally or medially from the previously placed mesh. Two attempted repairs had to be converted to an open technique due to severe adhesions. One intraoperative complication was encountered when the vas deferens was ligated during surgery due to adhesions of the previous placed mesh. Nine patients encountered an adverse event postoperatively, but none of them were serious events. No mesh infections were reported. The mean follow-up was 70 (range, 1–198) months. At follow-up, no recurrences were found at physical examination. Four patients developed a port-site hernia. Four patients had complaints of postoperative pain and were restricted in daily activities due to groin pain. The mean VAS score (scale 0–100), including the four patients with persistent pain, was 5.7 (range, 0–61).

Conclusions

It is concluded that repeated laparoscopic hernia repair (TAPP) is a definite repair for recurrent inguinal hernias. The procedure is feasible, safe, and reliable.     

Single-incision laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal mesh hernioplasty: results in 182 Japanese patients

Background

We introduced single-incision transabdominal preperitoneal (S-TAPP) herniorrhaphy (described herein) at our institution in June 2010. We recently conducted a retrospective study to assess the feasibility and safety of the procedure.

Methods

The study involved 182 patients (159 men, 23 women) who underwent S-TAPP herniorrhaphy between June 2010 and February 2015 for 202 groin hernias (162 unilateral hernias, 20 bilateral hernias). We examined patient characteristics, hernia type and presentation, operation time, conversion to another repair procedure, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative pain, morbidities, and postoperative hospital stay. We further evaluated operation time and morbidity by comparison between cases of simple unilateral hernia and cases of complicated unilateral hernia, which was defined as (1) a recurrent hernia, (2) hernia following radical prostatectomy, or (3) an incarcerated omental or bowel hernia.

Results

Five types of hernia were treated: indirect inguinal, direct inguinal, femoral, combined inguinal, and other (a urinary bladder hernia). Operation time was 92.5 ± 29.1 min for the unilateral hernias and 135.7 ± 24.5 min for the bilateral hernias. No major bleeding occurred. Postoperative pain was short-lived and easily managed. Overall morbidity was 8.2% (15/182 patients), and only one postoperative complication (recurrence) required surgical intervention (repeat S-TAPP). Average postoperative stay was 6.7 ± 2.6 days. Two patients experienced numbness in the outer thigh, but this resolved naturally. One superficial surgical site infection developed and was easily treated. Operation times were greater for the complicated vs. simple hernias, but the time differed significantly (p = 0.02) only between radical prostatectomy-associated hernia and simple hernia. No complicated hernia required conversion to traditional laparoscopic repair, but in simple unilateral hernia group one conversion to traditional laparoscopic repair was required for difficulties encountered in the dissection of the large indirect inguinal hernia sac. The incidence of seroma was higher, though not statistically, in the complicated (n = 3) vs. simple hernia group.

Conclusions

S-TAPP repair of groin hernia was shown to be a feasible, safe procedure. The advantages are well understood, and further studies are warranted to confirm the long-term benefits suggested by our study.

     

Spigelian hernia repair as a day-case procedure

Purpose

Only a few series of patients with a spigelian hernia managed on an outpatient basis have been reported in the literature. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the results of the elective spigelian hernia repair as an ambulatory procedure.

Methods

From June 2007 to June 2010, 8 patients with 9 spigelian hernias were electively operated on under local anesthesia as a day case. Four patients had unilateral spigelian hernia, 1 had spigelian and inguinal on the same side, 1 had spigelian and epigastric, 1 had spigelian and umbilical, and 1 patient had bilateral spigelian and umbilical hernia. Spigelian hernia was managed by the “open preperitoneal flat mesh technique.” In patients with several ventral hernias at different sites, “the open preperitoneal flat mesh technique” was performed using one separate flat mesh for each of the hernias; for the patient with inguinal hernia, the Lichtenstein procedure was performed in addition.

Results

No complications and recurrences were recorded during a mean follow-up of 23.5 months (range: 11–35).

Conclusion

The elective spigelian hernia can be successfully repaired under local anesthesia as a day-case procedure. The “open preperitoneal flat mesh technique” provides excellent results under these conditions.