Laparoscopic repair of inguinal hernias using an intraperitoneal onlay mesh technique and a Parietex composite mesh fixed with fibrin glue (Tissucol). Personal technique and preliminary results

Introduction Laparoscopic repair of inguinal hernias is usually achieved by totally extraperitoneal (TEP) or transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) techniques. The intraperitoneal onlay mesh (IPOM) could be an interesting alternative as it is much easier to perform and faster to execute. This technique is subject to correct selection of indications and to demonstration of its safety. Materials and methods From January 2003 to January 2006 we performed 61 laparoscopic hernia procedures on 60 selected patients (60 males with a mean age of 60 and mean weight of 76 kg) with an IPOM technique combining the Parietex composite mesh (12 cm circular model) and a fibrin glue (Tissucol) for its fixation. The glue was diluted to increase fixation time and applied to the mesh prior to positioning on the hernia defect. Results Mean operative time was 10 minutes. Mean hernia diameter was 2.5 cm (± 0.8 cm). 10 hernias were direct, 51 were indirect and 10 out of 61 were recurrent. We did not convert any of the laparoscopic procedures. Mean hospital stay was one day; mean recovery time for working and general physical activities was five days. Patients were checked after one week, 1-3-6 months and 1-2 years. Average follow up time was 23.7 months. 1.6 % of patients showed short-term complications: one trocar site haematoma. No additional complications were reported; particularly, we had no recurrence, no seroma, no mesh migration, and no bowel obstruction or fistula. Conclusion Results of this study show intraperitoneal (IP) tolerance to this kind of mesh and the safety of its fixation with Tissucol. The absence of recurrence and complications could be a good reason to extend the indication of IPOM hernia repair. However, these preliminary results should be confirmed by longer follow-up.     

Fibrin glue for intraperitoneal laparoscopic mesh fixation: a comparative study in a swine model

Background  

The classic method of mesh fixation in laparoscopic ventral hernia repair is transfascial sutures with tacks. This method has been associated with low recurrence rates, but yields significant morbidity from pain and bleeding. Fibrin glue has been used successfully in inguinal hernia repair with decreased incidence of chronic pain without an increase in recurrence rates, but its utility for laparoscopic ventral hernia repair is unknown. Our aim is to evaluate the efficacy of fibrin glue for laparoscopic mesh fixation to the anterior abdominal wall compared with other fixation methods.     

Diagnostik und Therapie des chronischen Schmerzes nach Hernienoperation

The frequency of chronic pain after hernia repair is currently much higher than the recurrence rate. For inguinal hernias it has been shown that mesh-based techniques are comparable to mesh-free techniques concerning chronic pain. Risk factors could be clearly identified for inguinal hernia repair and include open repair, meshes with small pores, mesh fixation with sutures or tacks, pre-existing pain and severe pain during the early postoperative period. The last two risk factors are also important for incisional hernias. For laparoscopic incisional hernia repair, the width (>?10 cm) of the gap seems to correlate with chronic pain. The diagnostic measures are restricted to the identification of a segmental problem in terms of nerve entrapment which can be blocked by local anesthesia or definite neurectomy. In some cases of chronic pain after inguinal hernia repair removal of the mesh will be advisable. After incisional hernia repair a segmental involvement is rarely seen. Localized pain may be induced by stay sutures which can be removed. Mesh removal is, however, a complex procedure especially after open repair resulting in hernia recurrence and therefore represents a salvage technique. The prophylaxis of chronic pain is therefore of utmost importance as is the identification of patients at risk which is now possible. These patients for example with inguinal hernias should be treated laparoscopically with an adequate technique including meshes with big pores and without fixation or fixation with glue only.     

Spiral Tacks May Contribute to Intra-Abdominal Adhesion Formation

Purpose With the inception of laparoscopic ventral hernia repair came a novel device not used in conventional hernia repair; the spiral tack. We conducted an experimental study on pigs to determine whether spiral tacks contribute to adhesion formation.Methods Using a standard laparoscopic technique in pigs, pieces of polypropylene mesh were fixed to the fascia on the upper abdominal wall, with polypropylene sutures on a randomly chosen side (side 1), and with 5-mm spiral tacks on the opposite side (side 2). The extent, type, and tenacity of the adhesions were assessed on postoperative days (PODs) 30 and 90.Results The mesh fixed to the abdominal wall with spiral tacks tended to increase the extent, type, and tenacity of adhesions more than the mesh fixed with polypropylene sutures (P < 0.05).Conclusions Spiral tacks contributed to the formation of adhesions more than polypropylene mesh did. Although this was a small-scale animal study, our findings suggest that the effect of spiral tacks used in laparoscopic ventral hernia repair should be assessed and the consequences monitored more closely.This study was presented at the joint meeting of the Turkish National Surgery Congress, Antalya, Turkey, 15–19 May, 2002     

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??Value of laparoscopic operation in the treatment of complex ventral hernia YANG Shuo??CHEN Jie. Department of Hernia and Abdominal Wall Surgery, Chaoyang Hospital of Capital Medical University??Beijing 100043, China
Corresponding author??CHEN Jie??E-mail??chenjiejoe@sina.com
Abstract Complex ventral hernia is the ventral hernia which is huge and (or) combined with a lot of complications. The cases of complex ventral herniain should be classified and underwent therapy measures respectively. For the cases of huge ventral hernia, initiative volume reduction should be performed during operation; the intra-abdominal pressure should be detected after operation to prevent ACS (abdominal compartment syndrome); the laparoscopic technique should be used for the fixation of the mesh. For the multiple ventral hernia, IPOM (intraperitoneal onlay mesh technique) should be performed to repair hernia rings and occult hernia could be found by the laparoscope. For the irreducible and incarcerated hernia, hybrid technique (laparoscope combined with open surgery) with part-absorbable meshes should be performed to prevent the postoperative infection. For the recurrent ventral hernia, IPOM should be also performed and occult hernias were detected. For the cases of ventral hernia combined with infection and intestinal fistula, the debridement by open operation should be performed in order to remove infection; the part-absorbable meshes should be placed to repair the defects; the laparoscope should be performed to prevent the the accident injury; the antibiotics should be applied in perioperative period. For the ventral hernia located in specific positions (including marginal ventral hernia), the tacks and sutures fixation should be used to ease the difficulty level of mesh fixation.     

“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.     

Laparoscopic Repair of Boundary Incisional Hernia in a Kidney Transplant Patient: A Safe Tacks-Fibrin Glue Combined Mesh Fixation Technique

Background

Incisional hernia in renal transplant patients is a complication that negatively affects the global outcome of transplant and quality of life. The repair of this condition was classically made by open repair with mesh. Increasing evidence suggests that laparoscopic repair could be advocated as the technique of choice in these patients with optimal results. However, the fixation of mesh should be performed by a mixed combination of fibrin sealant (lateral margin of wall defect) and tacks (medial margin). The tacks fixation of the mesh along the lateral margin of the wall defect, close to the graft, is generally difficult for the small size of the remaining aponeurotic plane and dangerous for the underlying presence of the graft.

Kosten- und Risikoanalyse der Hernienreparation

In comparison to the conventional technique of incisional or umbilical hernia repair with sublay mesh augmentation, incisional hernias in obese patients can be surgically treated with minor surgical trauma by laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh (IPOM) repair. However, although shortened operation time, hospital stay and faster postoperative reconvalescence might be possible with IPOM repair, the economic calculation including mesh costs is significantly higher. In this study the two operation techniques were compared and the perioperative advantages and disadvantages of both methods were analyzed based on the German diagnosis-related groups (DRG) system.     

Fixation of mesh to the peritoneum using a fibrin glue: investigations with a biomechanical model and an experimental laparoscopic porcine model

Background  

In recent years, the use of fibrin glue has become an established practice in several areas of surgical treatment. For example, fibrin glue is used increasingly as an alternative method for mesh fixation in hernia surgery, significantly helping to reduce the incidence of chronic pain. The experiments in this study were aimed at elucidating the extent to which tack- or suture-based permanent fixation can be replaced by fixation with fibrin glue for laparoscopic intraperitoneal repair of abdominal wall hernias.     

Staple versus fibrin glue fixation in laparoscopic total extraperitoneal repair of inguinal hernia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Fixation of mesh is typically performed to minimize risk of recurrence in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. Mesh fixation with staples has been implicated as a cause of chronic inguinal pain. Our study aim is to compare mesh fixation using a fibrin sealant versus staple fixation in laparoscopic inguinal hernia and compare outcomes for hernia recurrence and chronic inguinal pain.

Methods and procedures

PubMed was searched through December 2010 by use of specific search terms. Inclusion criteria were laparoscopic total extraperitoneal repair inguinal hernia repair, and comparison of both mesh fibrin glue fixation and mesh staple fixation. Primary outcomes were inguinal hernia recurrence and chronic inguinal pain. Secondary outcomes were operative time, seroma formation, hospital stay, and time to return to normal activity. Pooled odds ratios (OR) were calculated assuming random-effects models.

Results

Four studies were included in the review. A total of 662 repairs were included, of which 394 were mesh fixed by staples or tacks, versus 268 with mesh fixed by fibrin glue. There was no difference in inguinal hernia recurrence with fixation of mesh by staples/tacks versus fibrin glue [OR 2.13; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.60–7.63]. Chronic inguinal pain (at 3 months) incidence was significantly higher with staple/tack fixation (OR 3.25; 95% CI 1.62–6.49). There was no significant difference in operative time, seroma formation, hospital stay, or time to return to normal activities.

Conclusions

The meta-analysis does not show an advantage of staple fixation of mesh over fibrin glue fixation in laparoscopic total extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair. Because fibrin glue mesh fixation with laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair achieves similar hernia recurrence rates compared with staple/tack fixation, but decreased incidence of chronic inguinal pain, it may be the preferred technique.

     

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??Comtemporary isssues, controversies and solutions of laparoscopic treatment for incisional hernia YUE Fei,LI Jian-wen. Gastrointestinal Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, and Shanghai Minimally Invasive Surgery Centre, Shanghai 200025,China
Corresponding author: LI Jian-wen, E-mail??ljw5@yeah.net
Abstract Laparoscopic inicisional hernia repair has witnessed a quarter century’s develeopment since its debut in 1993. The representative procedure IPOM has being expanded across the world rapidly due to simpler technique and less complications. With the optimization of defect closure and mesh fixation, and the breakthrough in boundary incisional hernias, laparoscopic incisional hernia repair become a well-acknowledged solution. As the consequences of material limitaions, intraperitoneal mesh related complications emerged with time goes by. Hernia specialists adjust the therapeutic strategy from intraperitoneal to extraperitoneal. However, the new techniques, such as MILOS and etc., are also encountering challenges and controversies. More clinical practice are still required for further evaluation.     

腹腔镜手术治疗复杂腹壁疝价值探讨

复杂腹壁疝是巨大和（或）合并一系列并发症的腹壁疝。临床应对复杂腹壁疝进行分类并分别采用相应的腹腔镜治疗策略。对于巨大腹壁疝,术中应主动减容,腹腔镜固定,术后监测腹压,防治腹腔间室综合征;对于复发和多发腹壁疝,采用腹腔镜探查避免漏诊隐匿疝,同时腹腔内修补多发疝环;对于难复性或嵌顿性腹壁疝,腹腔镜联合开放术式处理疝内容物,应用部分可吸收材料修补,防治术后感染;对于合并感染、肠瘘的腹壁疝,先用腹腔镜探查,然后开放清创去除感染灶,应用部分可吸收材料修补缺损,围手术期应用抗生素;对于特殊位置的腹壁疝（包括边缘腹壁疝）,采用腹腔镜联合吊线缝合的方式降低固定补片的难度。     

Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair using a two (5-mm) port technique.

OBJECTIVE: High recurrence rates have been documented after primary repair of incisional hernias. Laparoscopic ventral and incisional hernia repairs have been performed with very low rates of recurrence. We have modified the standard technique of laparoscopic repair in patients with small incisional and ventral hernias. The purpose of this study was to document the technique utilizing only two 5-mm ports and demonstrate that it is safe, effective, and feasible. METHODS: Three patients with small incisional or ventral hernias were examined. The standard laparoscopic ventral hernia repair technique was modified as follows: two 5-mm ports were inserted on opposite sides of the defect. The defects ranged from 2.5 cm to 4 cm in size. Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene mesh (DualMesh, WL Gore, Flagstaff, AZ) was used to cover the hernia defect, overlapping the defect margins circumferentially by 3 cm. The mesh diameter ranged from 8.5 cm to 10 cm. The mesh was inserted through a 5-mm skin incision site and affixed into position with transfascial sutures and spiral tacks. RESULTS: The operative time ranged from 53 minutes to 57 minutes. All patients were discharged home the day of surgery and reported minimal postoperative pain. Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 1 year; all patients were doing well without recurrence. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic repair of ventral or incisional hernias can be performed using only two 5-mm ports. This technique can be done on an outpatient basis in a safe, timely fashion.     

Lumbar incisional hernias: diagnostic and management dilemma.

INTRODUCTION: Lumbar hernias occur infrequently and can be congenital, primary (inferior or Petit type, and superior or Grynfeltt type), posttraumatic, or incisional. They are bounded by the 12th rib, the iliac crest, the erector spinae, and the external oblique muscle. Most postoperative incisional hernias occur in nephrectomy or aortic aneurysm repair incisions. CASE REPORT: We present 2 patients who had undergone flank incisions and subsequently developed significant bulging of that area. The first patient had an atrophy of the abdominal wall musculature while the other had a large lumbar incisional hernia that was repaired laparoscopically. DISCUSSION: Lumbar incisional hernias are often diffuse with fascial defects that are usually hard to appreciate. Computed tomography scan is the diagnostic modality of choice and allows differentiating them from abdominal wall musculature denervation atrophy complicating flank incisions. Repairing these hernias is difficult due to the surrounding structures. Principles of laparoscopic repair include lateral decubitus positioning with table flexed, adhesiolysis, and reduction of hernia contents, securing ePTFE mesh with spiral tacks and transfascial sutures to an intercostal space superiorly, iliac crest periosteum inferiorly, and rectus muscle anteriorly. Posteriorly, the mesh is secured to psoas major fascia with intracorporeal sutures to avoid nerve injury. CONCLUSION: Lumbar incisional hernia must be differentiated from muscle atrophy with no fascial defect. The laparoscopic approach provides an attractive option for this often challenging problem.     

Decreased re-operation rate for recurrence after defect closure in laparoscopic ventral hernia repair with a permanent tack fixated mesh: a nationwide cohort study

Purpose

To investigate whether defect closure in laparoscopic ventral hernia repair reduces the re-operation rate for recurrence compared with no defect closure.

Methods

Data were extracted from the Danish Ventral Hernia Database. Adults with an elective laparoscopic ventral hernia repair with tacks used as mesh fixation were included, if their first repair was between the 1st of January 2007 and the 1st of January 2017. Patients with defect closure were compared with no defect closure. Re-operation rates are presented as crude rates and cumulated adjusted re-operation rates. Sub-analyses assessed the effect of the suture material used during defect closure and also whether defect closure affected both primary and incisional hernias equally.

Results

Among patients with absorbable tacks as mesh fixation, 443 received defect closure and 532 did not. For patients with permanent tacks, 393 had defect closure and 442 did not. For patients with permanent tacks as mesh fixation, the crude re-operation rates were 3.6% with defect closure and 7.2% without defect closure (p?=?0.02). The adjusted cumulated re-operation rate was significantly reduced with defect closure and permanent tacks (hazard ratio?=?0.53, 95% confidence interval?=?0.28–0.999, p?=?0.05). The sub-analysis suggested that defect closure was only beneficial for incisional hernias, and not primary hernias. We did not find any benefits of defect closure for patients with absorbable tacks as mesh fixation.

Conclusion

This nationwide cohort study showed a reduced risk of re-operation for recurrence if defect closure was performed in addition to permanent tacks as mesh fixation during laparoscopic incisional hernia repair.

     

Comparative Evaluation of Adhesions to Intraperitoneally Placed Fixation Materials: A Laparoscopic Study in Rats

After laparoscopic ventral hernia repair, the nature of the adhesions to fixation materials or to mesh had not been clarified. We examined adhesion formation specific to the fixation material in rats. We designed an experimental laparoscopy setup, and placed four intraperitoneal fixation materials on the peritoneum of rats without a mesh graft. Another group of researchers documented the incidence and intensity of postoperative adhesion formation. The adhesion scores for the nickel-titanium anchor were significantly greater than those for polylactic acid (p = 0.004), a titanium tacker (p < 0.0001), and fibrin glue (p < 0.0001). No adhesions occurred in the fibrin glue group. Fibrin glue is the preferred fixation material because it produced no postoperative adhesions. The nickel-titanium anchor produced heavy adhesions but may be applicable for recurrent hernia cases and in patients with thin abdominal walls.     

Laparoscopic incisional hernia repair in a porcine model: What do transfixion sutures add?

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the need for transfixion sutures during laparoscopic ventral hernia repair with mesh. METHODS: Incisional hernias were created in 14 Yucatan mini-pigs. Animals were randomized to undergo laparoscopic hernia repair either with spiral tacks alone (Tacks) or with tacks and 4 Prolene transfixion sutures (Sutured) using Composix E/X mesh (Davol Inc.). At 4 weeks, exploratory laparoscopy was performed to assess the repair and score adhesions. The abdominal wall was harvested for tensile strength analysis and histologic evaluation. Continuous variables were compared using a two-tailed nonpaired t-test. Results are presented as mean +/- standard deviation. RESULTS: The mean hernia size was 8.5 +/- 0.5 cm by 5.5 +/- 0.7 cm, with no difference between groups. The operative time was significantly longer ( p = 0.006) for the Sutured group (62.1 +/- 16.8 min) than for the Tacks group (32.3 +/- 7.0 min). The number of tacks per repair was equivalent between groups. At necropsy, the mesh in all cases was well incorporated, reperitonealized, and without evidence of migration. No hernias recurred. However, the Sutured group had a significantly ( p < or = 0.05) higher adhesion score (5.4 +/- 3.3) than the Tacks group (2.0 +/- 2.7). The tensile strength of the repair zone was no different between groups (Sutured 4.8 +/- 1.5 N/cm, Tacks 3.8 +/- 1.4 N/cm). On histologic examination, the ratio of inflammatory cells to fibroblasts was similar between groups (Sutured 0.2 +/- 0.6, Tacks 0.2 +/- 0.3). Only 82% of tacks in each group penetrated the fascia, and the depth of tack penetration was similar between groups (Sutured 3.7 +/- 0.3 mm, Tacks 3.9 +/- 0.4 mm). CONCLUSIONS: In a porcine model, the use of transfixion sutures was associated with longer operative times and more adhesions, without improvement in tensile strength or mesh incorporation. A human clinical trial is needed to determine the optimal method of securing abdominal wall mesh.     

The critical technical aspects of laparoscopic repair of ventral and incisional hernias

Several authors have revealed the utility of the laparoscopic approach to hernia defects that involve the ventral surface of the abdominal wall. The results of these series have been favorable. These authors all have recognized that appropriate sizing and fixation are important components of this operation. The pitfalls of the laparoscopic repair of incisional hernias are few but are significant. The most important technical considerations are dissection of all adhesions and clear identification of the fascial defect, prosthesis overlap of 3 cm in all directions, and fixation by through and through sutures and spiral tacks. The attention to these factors will diminish the risk of the immediate and long-term complications of the repair of these fascial defects.     

腹腔镜腹壁切口疝修补术存在的问题、争议与对策

腹腔镜腹壁切口疝修补术从1993年诞生迄今,已发展25年。最初因为技术操作相对简便,切口相关并发症少,代表性术式腹腔内补片平铺术（IPOM）获得迅速推广。随着缺损关闭和补片固定等核心技术问题的逐步优化,以及在边缘切口疝领域的突破,腹腔镜腹壁切口疝修补术更是极受推崇。但因为补片材料学等因素的限制,置于腹腔内的补片随着时间的推移开始出现相关的并发症,疝外科专科医师的治疗策略开始逐步从“腹腔内”走向“腹腔外”。但以MILOS为代表的新技术同样充满了问题与争议,是否会成为革命性的转折点,尚有待于进一步的临床实践检验。     

Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair: a new method for fixation of the mesh with sutures

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic technique has proven to be a safe and feasible alternative to open mesh repair in the treatment of ventral hernias. It has been seen that the recurrence rate is the same as with open repair but with lesser morbidity. For the repair of ventral hernia with laparoscopy, mesh is placed intraperitoneally. The most common approach for intraperitoneal fixation of the mesh is by using a combination of transfascial sutures and tackers. This paper describes a new technique for intraperitoneal fixation of the mesh using sutures. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Adhesions to the previous scar are taken down. Mesh is anchored to the abdominal wall using 4 transfascial sutures at the 4 corners of the mesh. Fixation of the mesh between the transfascial sutures is performed by a new technique using continuous sutures. Fixation of the mesh with tacks is not required. CONCLUSIONS: This is a novel technique for fixation of the mesh to the abdominal wall intraperitoneally during laparoscopic repair of ventral hernia. Tackers are not required for the fixation of mesh.