Subxiphoid incisional hernias after median sternotomy

Background Subxiphoid incisional hernias are notoriously difficult to repair and are prone to recurrence. The few reports on subxiphoid hernia published over the last two decades have not fully addressed the etiology, pathology, treatment, and outcome of this problem. This review was performed to analyze the published experience and increase the understanding of these difficult hernias. Methods We reviewed the extensive literature, including the Medline and Current Contents computerized database searches, and searched the available bibliographies. Results Seven retrospective studies of a total of 113 patients who had clinical subxiphoid hernias after median sternotomy were found. An additional surgical technique describing a modified median sternotomy preventing the hernia, and a single review article on selected technical considerations of subxiphoid ventral repair were also found. Conclusions The incidence of subxiphoid hernia after median sternotomy can be possibly reduced by paraxiphoid extension of the sternotomy, reinforcement near the xiphoid end of the incision, or by optimizing closure of the distal sternotomy and the linea alba. Abdominal wall reinforcement by open-mesh closure or laparoscopic transperitoneal prosthetic repair can effectively deal with the defect. Long-term outcome analyses are not yet available.     

Subxiphoid incisional hernias after median sternotomy

BACKGROUND: Subxiphoid hernias are difficult to repair. This study attempts to identify risk factors associated with incisional hernia formation after median sternotomy. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review was conducted on patients undergoing subxiphoid incisional hernia repair between 1995 and 2002. The study group was compared with a group undergoing similar cardiothoracic procedures as to body mass index (BMI), comorbidities, complications, tobacco use, length of stay, ICU stay, bypass time, transfusion requirements, and wound infections. Statistical analysis utilized Student's t-test, chi-square, and Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: A total of 117 subxiphoid hernias were repaired; 45 were used for comparison with a matched cohort of 79 patients. Average time between sternotomy and hernia repair was 24.3 months (+/-16.8) with 22 (49%) patients developing hernias within 2 years. Mean followup was 48 months. The study group differed significantly from the nonhernia group in age (56.6 +/- 13.0 versus 62.2 +/- 8.9, p = 0.01), mean length of stay (16.3 +/- 22.8 versus 10.2 +/- 6.7, p = 0.03), BMI (29.6 +/- 4.5 versus 27.2 +/- 4.5, p = 0.01), number of transplantation patients (10 versus 1, p = 0.0003), and presence of sternal wound infection (18% versus 3.9%, p = 0.02). Multivariate analysis revealed significance in regard to transfusion requirements (p = 0.015) and approached statistical significance with BMI (p = 0.058). Of the 45 patients undergoing hernia repair, 31(69%) had a mesh repair and 10 (32%) patients recurred. Six (43%) patients without a mesh repair recurred. Seventy-five percent of the patients with sternal wound infections developed recurrent hernias. CONCLUSIONS: Transfusion requirements, BMI, and sternal wound infections might be associated with subxiphoid hernias after median sternotomy. Sternal wound infection increases the risk of recurrent incisional hernia.     

New technique for repairing incisional hernias with Marlex mesh.

A technique using Marlex mesh for the repair of incisional hernias in which the mesh is placed deep to the muscles and the musculofascial layers are closed completely over the mesh is described. Great mechanical advantage is obtained and healing of the wound by primary repair is made possible. This technique has been used in 31 patients since February 1978 with good results. Most of the 31 patients had large defects, and primary closure over the mesh was possible in all of them.     

Knitted polypropylene (Marlex) mesh in the repair of incisional hernias

In 50 consecutive patients, large incisional hernias or those difficult to manage were repaired by suture imbrication of the hernial sac and extrafascial onlay fixation of Marlex mesh. Seromas developed in three and wound infection in two. The use of closed suction drains for all patients and antibiotic prophylaxis before and after operation for patients with antecedent wound infections may prevent these complications. In the follow-up period (mean of 2.6 years), lateral recurrence of the hernias occurred in three patients, but there has been no recurrence in the last 2 years. The method of repair is simple and effective.     

Incisional abdominal hernia after median sternotomy. Repair with the use of Dacron mesh

Summary The authors report their experience of the repair of abdominal incisional hernia secondary to median sternotomy. Twenty three patients have been operated with the same technique using a dacron mesh for reinforcement of the abdominal wall. During follow up, no recurrence has so far appeared.     

Repair of large complex recurrent incisional hernias with retromuscular mesh and panniculectomy

BACKGROUND: Recurrent incisional hernia repair is associated with high recurrence and wound complication rates. METHODS: The clinical courses of patients who underwent recurrent incisional hernia repair via retromuscular mesh placement with concomitant panniculectomy at a university teaching hospital from 1999 to 2004 were reviewed retrospectively. Postoperative evaluation included a quality of life survey. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients (13 male, 34 female) with an average body mass index of 34.4 kg/m2, an average midline hernia defect of 31.4 cm, and at least 1 and on average 2.5 previous repair attempts underwent hernia repair. Wound infections occurred in 4 patients (8%) and seromas requiring aspiration occurred in 1 patient (2%). Four patients (8%) had re-recurrences of their hernias. All patients rated the postoperative appearance of their abdomen as at least satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrent incisional hernia repair with a retromuscular mesh and panniculectomy has low recurrence and wound complication rates and excellent patient satisfaction.     

Technique for repairing inguinal hernias with Marlex mesh

A technique using Marlex mesh for the repair of inguinal hernias is described. In this procedure the transversalis fascia is incised and a 1 inch strip of Marlex mesh is sutured as a cuff over the free edge of the conjoined tendon. The mesh-reinforced conjoined tendon is then sutured to Poupart's ligament. Continuous sutures of polypropylene monofilament are used both to affix the mesh cuff to the conjoined tendon and to suture the reinforced conjoined tendon to Poupart's ligament. Use of the mesh cuff results in a significant mechanical advantage and an exceptionally strong repair. This technique has been used in 72 patients since January 1979, with good results.     

Repair of incisional hernias

Incisional hernias develop in up to 11% of surgical abdominal wounds with a possible recurrence following repair of 44%. We describe our experience with a combined fascial and prosthetic mesh repair. Thirty-five patients (16M:19F) have been treated. The original operation was bowel related in 19 cases, gynaecological in 8, hepatopancreaticobiliary in 3 patients, aortic aneurysm repair in 2 and involved a thoraco-laparotomy in 3. The incisions were midline in 26 cases, transverse in 6, paramedian in 2 and rooftop in one patient. The hernias were considered subjectively to be large in 15, medium in 14 and small in 6 of the patients. A proforma was completed for each patient noting intra-operative and post-operative complications, post-operative hospital stay and analgesic requirements. Post-operative complications included seroma formation in 6 patients, deep vein thrombosis in one and a non-fatal pulmonary embolism in another. One patient developed a wound haematoma and one had a superficial wound infection. Post-operative in-hospital stay ranged from 1 to 27 days with a mean of 6.2 days. Of the 35 patients 33 were available for follow-up. Follow-up was for a median of 20.3 months (range 6.0 to 54.1 months). Two of these (6%) patients reported a persistent lump and one (3%) reported persistent pain but none of the remaining 33 was found to have a recurrence. We advocate this technique because it is applicable to all hernias, most of the mesh is behind the rectus sheath and has 2 points of fixation, it is relatively pain-free allowing early mobilisation, has a modest complication rate and a low recurrence rate.     

Repair of giant incisional abdominal wall hernias using open intraperitoneal mesh

Background Very large and complex incisional hernias, especially those involving loss of abdominal wall, present a particular challenge to the surgeon. Aims The open intraperitoneal technique was used prospectively for the repair of incisional hernias in a selected group of patients with large defects, often those with major loss of abdominal wall, overweight patients, and previous failures of incisional repair. Materials and methods Between 1 January 1999 and 31 December 2005, out of 275 patients operated on for incisional hernia repair, 61 of them, most of whom were obese with multiorificial recurrent or giant hernias and contraindicated for laparoscopy, were treated using an open intraperitoneal mesh technique. There were 50 females and 11 males, with a mean age of 61. The median ASA score of the group was 2.3, with a mean BMI of 34 kg/m² and a mean hernia surface of 182 cm². Sixty-four percent of the patients had undergone one or more previous incisional hernia repairs. Results Mean operating time was 130 min, with an average hospital stay of 13 days. None of the patients died. Postoperative complications occurred in 21% of the patients; most of which were minor, but two cases (3.3%) developed deep abscesses requiring surgery and removal of the mesh. A recurrence rate of 5% was found after a mean follow-up of 35 months (8–88). Conclusion Open intraperitoneal mesh repair appears to be a good option for the treatment of complex incisional hernia (at least 10 cm in diameter or multiorificial) in obese patients contraindicated for laparoscopy.     

Repair of high-risk incisional hernias and traumatic abdominal wall defects with porcine mesh

Complex ventral hernias represent a significant challenge to surgeons. We hypothesized that a wide underlay technique in combination with a novel biologic mesh would result in repair with a low recurrence rate. Medical records of patients undergoing ventral herniorrhaphy with XenMatrix biologic mesh were evaluated. All patients were evaluated for hernia recurrence both immediately and after 2 to 3 years. There were 57 patients included in the study. The overall recurrence rate was 7.2 per cent; however, all recurrences were early and were likely technical failures. The average duration of follow-up was 30.6 months with no further recurrences after the early technical failures. The average number of previous recurrences was 1.5. Fascial closure was obtained over the mesh in 84 per cent of patients, with component separation being necessary in 36 per cent of patients. Lack of fascial reapproximation over the mesh was associated with early recurrence (0 vs 55%, P < 0.0001). Complex ventral hernias can be repaired with a low recurrence rate. Our technique in combination with the XenMatrix biologic mesh provides for durable repair. Whenever possible, the fascia should be closed above the underlay mesh, because this technique provides a more durable repair than using the mesh as a "fascial bridge".     

Repair of giant incisional hernias with polypropylene mesh: a retrospective study.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the long term results of repair of ventral incisional hernias or of defects in the abdominal wall using polypropylene mesh. Eighty-eight patients were operated on from 1979-1996, inclusive. Abdominal protrusion was found in 78 patients. Fifty-one of these patients had previously had an incisional hernia repaired and the remaining 10 patients had an abdominal wall defect as a result of excision of a malignant tumour. The polypropylene mesh was placed extraperitoneally and sutured with two rows of interrupted stitches, using non-absorbable sutures. Recurrence of the hernia was found in 10 of the 67 patients with incisional hernia. Eight patients had a relaxation of the muscles of the abdominal wall. Perioperative complications consisted of infection (n = 4), embolism (n = 1), haematoma (n = 1), and pneumonia (n = 3, one fatal), and one fatal bowel perforation. Median follow up time was 5.7 years (range 0-17). It is therefore possible to obtain acceptable results after repair of larger incisional hernias even if they had been repaired before.     

Repair of McBurney incisional hernias after open appendectomy

Incisional herniation after appendectomy through a right lower quadrant muscle-splitting (McBurney) incision is rare, occurring in less than 0.12% of operations for appendicitis. Primary repair of this form of hernia is particularly difficult as a result of the attenuated fascia created by the herniation. By using synthetic mesh, it is possible to effectively repair this type of hernia. Three cases of postoperative incisional herniation treated by different surgical approaches are reviewed.     

腹腔镜技术在切口疝修补术中的应用体会

目的探讨腹腔镜下应用补片修补切口疝的手术方法和II缶床效果。方法回顾性分析我科2006年1月至2008年12月对腹壁切口疝23例施行腹腔镜修补术的临床资料。结果本组成功施行腹腔镜下切口疝补片修补22例,因腹腔内严重粘连中转剖腹手术1例,术中发现多发切口疝3例。本组无手术死亡和肠瘘病例。术后出现疼痛4例,补片周围积液3例。全组获随访4～24个月,平均13．8个月,未见切口疝复发。结论腹壁切口疝病人行腹腔镜下补片修补大多是安全地,还可在术中发现隐性缺损。对腹腔内广泛粘连分离困难者,应及时中转剖腹手术。     

人工合成补片修补腹壁切口疝临床探讨

目的探讨人工合成补片修补腹壁切口疝的有效方法。方法回顾性分析2004年3月至2008年9月经我院诊治的34例腹壁切口疝患者的临床资料。其中10例行肌筋膜前置补片修补法（Onlay），22例行腹膜前置补片修补法（Sublay），2例肌间置补片修补法（Inlay）。结果34例均痊愈出院，无严重并发症，随访1—54个月，Onlay组复发2例，Sublay组复发1例，Inlay组复发1例。结论Sublay治疗腹壁切口疝复发率低，是治疗腹壁切口疝的理想方法。