Incidence of incipient contralateral hernia during laparoscopic hernia repair

Background: In addition to its well-known benefits of decreased postoperative pain and shorter recovery time, laparoscopic hernia repair has the major advantage of allowing the surgeon to explore the side contralateral to the clinically diagnosed hernia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of incipient unsuspected contralateral hernia during totally extraperitoneal (TEP) laparoscopic inguinal herniorrhaphy and to analyze the risks and benefits of identifying these hernias at the time of the initial surgery. Methods: We did a retrospective review of the charts of all of the 724 male patients who underwent laparoscopic TEP repair of 958 groin hernias between September 1991 and September 1999. The initial clinical impression of the existence of unilateral or bilateral hernias was noted and compared to our operative findings. The same surgeon performed all the repairs. Exploration of the contralateral side was performed in a systematic fashion. A second mesh prosthesis was placed if a contralateral hernia was found. Results: Bilateral hernia repair was performed on 234 patients (32.3%). In 62 of them (11.2%), the contralateral hernia was diagnosed only at the time of the procedure. Operative time ranged from 14 to 185 min (median, 38.6). The operative time for the contralateral exploration ranged from 2 to 5 min (median, 2.8). The rate of complications was 4.1%, but no complications were directly related to the exploration of the asymptomatic side. Conclusion: Our study shows that a large number of inguinal hernias are undiagnosed by physical examination (11.2%). Systematic contralateral exploration using the TEP approach is safe and does not greatly increase the operative time. Early identification and repair of a contralateral hernia obviates the need for reoperation, reduces overall costs to the health care system, and eliminates any further work loss for the patient. Received: 24 November 1999/Accepted: 3 February 2000/Online publication: 8 May 2000     

Management of intraabdominal testicle during laparoscopic hernia repair

A 22-year-old man who had previously undergone work-up for right cryptorchidism and been diagnosed as having right testicular absence was referred for repair of a right inguinal hernia. A laparoscopic approach was chosen for this patient, and at the time of laparoscopic herniorrhaphy, a small intraabdominal testicle was visualized and removed laparoscopically.Laparoscopy has served as an excellent procedure for locating intraabdominal testes and planning the most appropriate treatment for many cryptorchid patients. Until recently, atrophic testes located within the abdominal cavity through use of a laparoscope were removed via an open technique. Advances in laparoscopy now enable detection and definitive treatment for these patients without the need for large, more painful incisions.The laparoscopic approach to this patient enabled diagnosis and management of his cryptorchidism and provided a means for repair of his hernia.     

Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair during laparoscopic radical prostatectomy

OBJECTIVE: To describe our experience of simultaneous laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) and inguinal hernia repair (LIHR) with a non-absorbable mesh, as there are few reports of simultaneous herniorrhaphy during LRP. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty patients who had simultaneous LIHR and LRP were retrospectively reviewed. All operations were completed via antegrade techniques using a non-absorbable mesh for the LIHR, as the results with absorbable mesh were disappointing. RESULTS: In all, 48 clinically apparent hernias were repaired in 40 patients (mean age 60 years). Of these, 13 were left-sided, 23 right-sided, and six bilateral; 19 were direct, 14 indirect, two pantaloon, three femoral, and in 10 the type was not recorded. The mean operative duration was 172 min and the mean hospital stay was 1.5 days. Two patients had a urine leak after surgery, which resolved with no further intervention, and two developed a pelvic lymphocele, one at 4 months and the other at 2 months after surgery. Two patients required urinary catheter re-insertion for retention after surgical catheter removal at 9 and 10 days after surgery, respectively. One patient developed a deep venous thrombosis 19 days after surgery. Of the 40 patients, 36 (90%) were followed for a mean of 10 months; none had a hernia recurrence on the repaired side, while two developed a new symptomatic contralateral hernia. CONCLUSIONS: LIHR is a successful and reliable way to treat symptomatic patients who are treated surgically for prostate cancer.     

Diaphragmatic relaxing incisions during laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair

Background

Laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia (PEH) repair is associated with an objective recurrence rate exceeding 50 % at 5 years. Minimizing tension is a critical factor in preventing hernia recurrence. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of crural relaxing incisions in patients undergoing PEH repair.

Methods

Records were reviewed to identify patients who received a relaxing incision during laparoscopic PEH repair. The patients were followed by chest X-ray and videoesophagram at 3 months and then annually.

Results

From November 2010 to March 2013, 58 patients underwent PEH repair, and 15 patients received a relaxing incision to accomplish crural closure. The median age of the patients was 72 years (range 58–84 years). The relaxing incision was right-sided in 13 patients, left-sided in one patient, and bilateral in one patient. All the procedures were completed laparoscopically and included a fundoplication. Collis gastroplasty for a short esophagus was performed for 40 % of the patients. No major complications occurred. During a median follow-up period of 4 months, one patient had an asymptomatic mildly elevated left hemidiaphragm, and one patient had a trivial recurrent hernia, as shown on esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD).

Conclusion

Crural tension likely contributes to the high recurrence rate noted with laparoscopic PEH repair. Relaxing incisions are safe and allow crural approximation. Advanced laparoscopic surgeons should be aware of this option when faced with a large hiatus in a patient with PEH.     

Movement of the endotracheal tube during laparoscopic hernia repair

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic surgery is not without its problems, and one of the less known is cephalad displacement of the carina and relative movement of the endotracheal tube in the trachea. The aetiology of this is presumably a consequence of both pneumoperitoneum and the Trendelenburg position frequently adopted during laparoscopic surgery. METHOD: We studied 30 patients undergoing laparoscopic hernia repair utilising 10 degrees of Trendelenburg position and an intra-abdominal inflation pressure of between 12 and 15 mm Hg (mean 13.6 mm Hg). We measured the distance between the tip of the endotracheal tube and the carina using a fibreoptic bronchoscope. RESULT: This distance decreased only slightly, from a mean (SD) of 39.6 (13) mm after intubation, to 38.9 (12.6) mm after adoption of Trendelenburg tilt and pneumoperitoneum. This did not represent a statistically significant change (P=0.09). CONCLUSION: We conclude that the endotracheal tube does not routinely migrate towards the carina when laparoscopic hernia repair is performed under these conditions.     

Health-related quality-of-life changes after laparoscopic and open incisional hernia repair

BACKGROUND: The objective of this matched control study in patients suffering from incisional hernia was to compare laparoscopic open repair (LHR) with open hernia repair (OHR) in terms of long-term health-related quality of life (HRQL) according to the SF-36 Health Survey. METHODS: Twenty-four consecutive patients (18 male, six female; mean age, 55 years) prospectively underwent LHR using expanded polytetrafluoroethylene mesh. The second group, which was matched for age and gender, was subjected to OHR using large pore-sized, low-weight polypropylene meshes. Before and after surgery, HRQL was assessed by the SF-36 Health Survey, which measures eight different health-quality domains, and the SF-36 Physical (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) score. The SF-36 values were compared to the scores of age-stratified German population controls. RESULTS: The patients were reevaluated 16 months (range, 12-25) after LHR and 28 months (range, 18-52) after OHR, respectively. Before surgery, all of the eight health-quality domains as well as the PCS and MCS scores of both study groups were significantly lower than the corresponding scores of the age-stratified healthy German population. However, the OHR patients had significantly higher physical functioning and vitality scores than the LHR patients. After LHR and OHR, the scores for all eight SF-36 domains significantly increased but were still lower than those of the controls. The LHR patients were still worse than the norm population on both PCS and MCS scores, whereas OHR patients were worse only on PCS but not on MCS. In the long-term follow-up, none of the SF-36 Health Survey domains or the PCS and the MCS scores revealed significant differences between LHR and OHR patients. CONCLUSIONS: LHR was not different from OHR for selected indications that measure long-term outcome and HRQL. SF-36 appears to be an appropriate instrument to measure postoperative HRQL, showing responsiveness to changes in objective outcome measures.     

Suture passer tip breakage during laparoscopic ventral hernia repair

Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair generally employs a tacker and a suture passer to secure the mesh to the abdominal wall. We reviewed cases of Gore Suture Passer tip breakage during these procedures and their management. Surgeons performing laparoscopic ventral hernia repair were asked about encountered complications relating to the Gore Suture Passer instrument. Charts of the patients with significant alteration in the course of their procedure secondary to such complication were reviewed. Two cases of suture passer tip breakage were identified. One required fluoroscopy to localize and recover the tip, resulting in significant prolongation of the operation. The other required conversion to laparotomy with mesh removal; the tip of the Gore Suture Passer was found in the pelvis and the hernia was repaired with a Stoppa technique. The Gore Suture Passer tip may break during laparoscopic ventral hernia repair, which may significantly complicate the case.     

Respiratory compliance during laparoscopic hiatal and inguinal hernia repair

Purpose  Side stream spirometry with dynamic compliance displayed as pressure-volume loops, has enabled early detection of CO₂ pneumothorax during pneumoperitoneum. We compared dynamic compliance profiles of two laparoscopic procedures with different patient positions. Methods  In 26 patients, scheduled either for laparoscopic fundoplication in a head-up tilt or inguinal hemiorrhaphy in a head-down tilt, dynamic compliance was measured with continuous spirometry from anaesthesia induction until skin closure. Control pressure-volume loops were saved in the horizontal position before surgery and compared with succeeding loops in the head-up / head-down tilt before pneumoperitoneum, during pneumoperitoneum in the horizontal and the tilt position, after evacuation of pneumoperitoneum in the tilt and finally in the horizontal position. Results  Pneumoperitoneum reduced compliance in both groups by 35% (P < 0.01). Head-down tilt decreased compliance by 12% before and during pneumoperitoneum (P < 0.01). Head-up tilt increased compliance by 4% before pneumoperitoneum (P < 0.05), but during pneumoperitoneum it had no effect. After evacuation of pneumoperitoneum compliance returned immediately to control in head-up tilt, but remained reduced in head-down tilt and was not at control after adopting horizontal position (P < 0.05). Difference between the groups was significant (P < 0.01) in the head-up / head-down tilt before, during and immediately after pneumoperitoneum. Conclusion  Both pneumoperitoneum and head-up and head-down positions had characteristic effects on dynamic compliance. Simultaneous display of sequential pressure-volume loops enabled immediate detection of changes in respiratory mechanics.

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Résumé Objectif  La spirométrie à courant secondaire accompagnée de la compliance dynamique, exprimée par des courbes débit-volume, a permis la détection précoce du pneumothorax à CO₂ pendant un pneumopéritoine. Nous avons comparé les courbes de compliance dynamique de deux chirurgies laparoscopiques avec des positions différentes des patients. Méthodes  La compliance dynamique a été mesurée chez 26 patients, devant subir soit une fundoplication laparoscopique en position inclinée, tête plus haute, soit une herniorraphie inguinale en position inclinée, tête plus basse, avec la spirométrie continue depuis l’induction de l’anesthésie jusqu’à la fermeture cutanée. Des courbes débit-volume témoins ont été enregistrées en position horizontale avant la chirurgie et comparées avec des courbes successives avant le pneumopéritoine en position inclinée, tête plus haute /tête plus basse, pendant le pneumopéritoine en position horizontale et en position inclinée, après l’évacuation du pneumopéritoine en position inclinée et finalement en position horizontale. Résultats  Le pneumopéritoine a réduit la compliance de 35 % (P < 0,01) dans les deux groupes. La position inclinée, avec la tête plus basse, a réduit la compliance de 12 % avant et pendant le pneumopéritoine (P < 0,01). Linclinaison, avec la tête plus haute, a augmenté la comliance de 4 % avant le pneumopéritoine (P < 0,05), mais elle n’a pas eu d’effet pendant le pneumopéritoine. à la suite de l’évacuation du pneumopéritoine, la compliance a retrouvé immédiatement la valeur témoin de la position inclinée, tête plus haute, mais la compliance est demeurée plus faible quand la tête était plus basse et n’a pas présenté la valeur témoin après l’adoption de la position horizontale (P < 0,05). La différence entre les groupes était significative (P < 0,01) en position inclinée, tête plus haute /tête plus basse, avant, pendant et immédiatement après le pneumopéritoine. Conclusion  Le pneumopéritoine et la position inclinée avec la tête vers le haut ou vers le bas ont eu des effets caractéristiques sur la compliance dynamique. Lenregistrement simultané des courbes séquentielles débit-volume a permis3 la détection immédiate des changements de la fonction respiratoire.

     

Closure versus non-closure of hernia defect during laparoscopic ventral hernia repair with mesh

Purpose

Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair with mesh versus laparoscopic ventral hernia defect closure with mesh reinforcement. The primary end-point was recurrence.

Methods

Retrospective review of patients who underwent laparoscopic ventral hernia repair for small- and medium-sized hernias between July 2000 and September 2011. These patients were divided: (1) repair with mesh alone (non-closure group) and (2) those with hernia defect closure and mesh reinforcement (closure group). The closure group was further divided by technique: percutaneous versus intracorporeal closure of the defect.

Results

128 patients were studied: 93 patients (72.66 %) in the non-closure group and 35 patients (27.34 %) in the closure group. Follow-up was available in 105 patients (82.03 %) at a mean of 797.2 days (range 7–3,286 days). In the non-closure group there were 14 patients (15.05 %) with postoperative complications and 8 patients (22.86 %) in the closure group, four of which were seromas. Fourteen patients (19.18 %) developed recurrent hernias in the non-closure group with an average time to presentation of 23.17 months (range 5.3–75.3). Two patients (6.25 %) developed recurrent hernias in the percutaneous group with an average time to presentation of 12.95 months (range 9.57–16.33). There have been no recurrences in patients whose defect was closed intracorporeally.

Conclusion

Although our study demonstrated a difference in recurrence rates of 19.18 % in the non-closure group versus 6.25 % in the closure group, the difference did not reach statistical significance. A larger series with longer follow-up may demonstrate clinical significance.     

TEP术中导致腹膜破裂的原因和处理

目的 探讨腹腔镜下腹膜外腹股沟疝修补术(TEP)手术中腹膜破裂后处理对策.方法 回顾分析2015年1月～2020年1月在我院腹股沟疝行TEP手术的所有病例,总结TEP手术中腹膜破裂的原因、裂口的大小、位置及处理对策.比较同期病例腹股沟疝修补术中腹膜破裂和完整的患者手术时间、中转术式、手术并发症、住院时间的差异.结果 本...     

The cutaneous nerves encountered during laparoscopic repair of inguinal hernia

BACKGROUND: With an incidence rate of 2%, injury to the nerves of the lumbar plexus is the most common complication of laparoscopic hernioplasty, particularly when the transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) technique is used. METHODS: The course of the genitofemoral nerve, lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, and ilioinguinal nerve within the operation site was investigated in 53 adult dissecting-room bodies. Their relationship to the deep inguinal ring, iliopubic tract, and anterior superior iliac spine was also examined. RESULTS: Both the femoral and genital branches of the genitofemoral nerve may penetrate the abdominal wall lateral to the deep ring and cranial to the iliopubic tract. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve and the ilioinguinal nerve may run immediately lateral to the anterior superior iliac spine. CONCLUSION: Contrary to the previously accepted opinion, dissection and the placement of staples either cranial to the iliopubic tract or lateral to the anterior superior iliac spine can result in injury to the nerves.     

Characterizing laparoscopic incisional hernia repair

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic repair of ventral and incisional hernias (LVIHRs) is feasible; however, many facets of this procedure remain poorly defined. The indications, essential technical features and postoperative management should be standardized to optimize outcomes and facilitate training in this promising approach to incisional hernia repair. METHODS: All patients referred to one surgeon at a tertiary care centre for LVIHR from 1999 to 2004 were analyzed. Patient records were analyzed and perioperative outcomes were documented. RESULTS: Of the 69 patients who were referred for management of incisional hernia, 64 underwent LVIHR. The mean age of patients selected for surgery was 61.4 years (28% of patients over age 70 years); their mean body mass index (BMI) was 32.8 kg/m2 and mean American Association of Anaesthetists (ASA) score was 2.5 (52% of patients had an ASA score equal to 3). The mean operating time was 130.7 minutes for a mean abdominal wall defect of 123.9 cm2 and a mean prosthetic mesh size of 344 cm2. Patients with recurrent incisional hernias and previous prosthetic mesh were the most challenging, with a mean BMI of 39 kg/m2, mean operating time of 191 minutes, mean defect of 224 cm2 and mean prosthetic mesh size of 508 cm2. One patient was converted to open surgery and, in 2 patients, small bowel injuries were repaired laparoscopically without adverse sequelae. The mean length of stay was 4.5 days (median 3.0 d). Postoperatively, 78% of patients developed seromas within the residual hernia sac. All seromas were managed nonoperatively; one-half resolved by 7 weeks, and larger seromas persisted for up to 24 weeks. There was an 18.7% rate of minor complications and a 3.1% rate of major complications (no deaths). After a mean follow-up of 7.7 months, 2 recurrent hernias (3.1%) were identified in patients with multiple previous open mesh repairs. CONCLUSION: Although LVIHR may be challenging, it has the potential to be considered a primary approach for most ventral and incisional hernias, regardless of patient status or hernia complexity.     

Mesh-free laparoscopic spigelian hernia repair

Varied Spigelian hernia mesh repair techniques have been described, although evidence suggests laparoscopy results in less morbidity and shorter hospitalization compared with open procedures. Laparoscopic suture repair of Spigelian hernias is rarely reported. Two patients with small Spigelian hernias (< or =2 cm) were diagnosed and repaired laparoscopically using a transabdominal suture technique. Under laparoscopic guidance, a suture-passer was used to place two or three transfacial, interrupted 0 polypropylene sutures along the horizontal plane of the defect. Sutures were tied extracorporeally and closure was confirmed laparoscopically. These cases spurred a review of world literature (2001-2007) including clinical characteristics, operative techniques, and urgency of operations in Spigelian hernia patients. Data were compared using Fisher's exact test. One year postoperatively, the patients are without sequelae or recurrence. Literature review demonstrated most patients were females (P < 0.001), ranged in age from 60 to 80 years (P = 0.042), and presented with left-sided hernias (P = 0.026). Open mesh repair (182/392 cases; 47%) was the most common technique; however, increasingly articles describe laparoscopic mesh repair. Mesh-free laparoscopic suture repair is feasible and safe. This novel uncomplicated approach to small Spigelian hernias combines the benefits of laparoscopic localization, reduction, and closure without the morbidity and cost associated with foreign material.     

Left laparoscopic paraduodenal hernia repair

Background

An internal hernia is a protrusion of bowel through a normal or abnormal orifice in the peritoneum or mesentery. Paraduodenal hernia is by far the most common form of congenital internal hernia, making up 53% of all reported cases. In recent years, as surgeons have become more comfortable with laparoscopic techniques, they are performing an increasing number of these procedures laparoscopically.

Methods

To highlight the technical steps of this technique, the case of a patient with a left paraduodenal hernia and a video of the laparoscopic repair are presented. Additionally, a PubMed search of the English medical literature was conducted using the search words “laparoscopic,” “paraduodenal,” and “hernia” as filters. The cases of laparoscopic paraduodenal hernia repair in the literature to date recording data on technique, complications, and hospital course were reviewed.

Results

In addition to the case described in this report, 14 cases of laparoscopic paraduodenal hernia were described in 10 published reports. Of the 15 cases, 11 (73%) were left-sided, likely representing the relative incidence of these cases. The hernia defect was closed in 10 (77%) of the 13 cases for which the repair method was described, whereas the defect was widely opened in the remaining cases. One report described an operative complication (6.7%), an internal mesenteric vein injury, and one recurrence (6.7%) occurred 18 months after surgery in the direct defect closure group.

Conclusion

The current data lead to the conclusion that laparoscopic paraduodenal hernia repair is a safe and feasible approach for selected patients. It can be expected that as surgeons become increasingly comfortable and facile with laparoscopic techniques, paraduodenal hernias and many other causes of acute small bowel obstruction will be increasingly managed laparoscopically.     

Occult ventral hernia defects: a common finding during laparoscopic ventral hernia repair

BACKGROUND: In many incidences, laparoscopic exploration reveals occult ventral hernia defects that were not detected on physical examination. The objective of this study was to describe the frequency of occult ventral hernia defects detected during laparoscopy. METHODS: Prospectively collected data on 146 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic ventral hernia repair were reviewed. The numbers of ventral defects found on preoperative physical examination were compared with those found during the laparoscopic procedure. RESULTS: Out of 146 laparoscopic ventral hernia repair patients, 70 patients (48%) were found to have occult defects that were not detected on preoperative abdominal examination. Among all the possible variables, only the type of hernia was found to have a significant difference. CONCLUSION: Almost half of the patients with a ventral hernia have clinically occult hernia defects that can be recognized laparoscopically. This indicates the importance of careful inspection of the anterior abdominal wall during the surgical procedure.     

Simple technique for mesh placement during laparoscopic ventral hernia repair

Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair has many advantages over the open approach. Mesh placement and orientation to overlap the hernia defect is a crucial step. The current techniques for mesh placement are time-consuming. A simple technique for mesh placement during laparoscopic ventral hernia repair is described.     

Fast-track giant paraoesophageal hernia repair using a simplified laparoscopic technique

Background and aims Operation for paraoesophageal hernia may be associated with severe complications, especially when performed as an open technique. Furthermore, it is not settled whether the procedure should be performed in combination with an antireflux procedure. Fast-track rehabilitation programs in other operations have been associated with shortened hospital stay and reduced complications compared with conventional care programs. The aim of the present study was to combine a simplified surgical technique with a fast-track rehabilitation program for repair of giant paraoesophageal hernia. Methods During a 2-year period, 21 patients underwent laparoscopic paraoesophageal hernia repair with a fast-track rehabilitation program. We did not use an antireflux procedure or repaired the enlarged hiatus in any of the patients. All patients had the hernia sac dissected and a gastropexy to the anterior abdominal wall. Results Median operation time was 75 min (range 65–120), and the median postoperative hospital stay was 2 days (1–20), where 10 patients stayed for only 1 day. Two patients received postoperative blood transfusions, and the same 2 patients also developed postoperative pneumonia treated with penicillin. Before operation, 4 patients were treated with proton pump inhibitors for reflux symptoms, but after operation, only 1 patient continued treatment with omeprazol 20 mg daily. At barium x-ray follow-up after 3 months, 3 patients had a partial recurrence of a paraoesophageal hernia, but none of them had any symptoms and therefore did not undergo further treatment. Conclusion Using a fast-track rehabilitation program and a simplified laparoscopic surgical technique, repair of giant paraoesophageal hernias can be performed with a short hospital stay and minimal complications.