Use of biologic mesh at ostomy takedown to prevent incisional hernia: A case series

IntroductionIncisional hernias are a relatively common occurrence after ostomy takedown with a incidence of 30–35%. The use of biologic mesh offers a means to bolster the stoma incision site with a lower risk of infection than synthetic mesh.MethodsThis study represents a retrospective chart review of six patients who underwent stoma takedown and had biologic mesh placed in the retrorectus position during repair from March 2015 until March 2016.ResultsThere has been a zero-rate of hernia occurrence for the six patients who underwent stoma takedown. No incisional hernias were noted on physical exam with follow up ranging from 11 to 25 months.ConclusionWe conclude that placement of biologic mesh is a safe and effective way of preventing incisional hernias at stoma sites.     

Review of stoma site and midline incisional hernias after stoma reversal

Background

The incidence of incisional hernias after stoma reversal is not well reported. The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature reporting data on incisional hernias after stoma reversal. We evaluated both the incidence of stoma site and midline incisional hernias.

Methods

A systematic review identified studies published between January 1, 1980, and December 31, 2012, reporting the incidence of incisional hernia after stoma reversal at either the stoma site or at the midline incision (in cases requiring laparotomy). Pediatric studies were excluded. Assessment of risk of bias, detection method, and essential study-specific characteristics (follow-up duration, stoma type, age, body mass index, and so forth) was done.

Results

Sixteen studies were included in the analysis; 1613 patients had 1613 stomas formed. Fifteen studies assessed stoma site hernias and five studies assessed midline incisional hernias. The median (range) incidence of stoma site incisional hernias was 8.3% (range 0%–33.9%) and for midline incisional hernias was 44.1% (range 8.7%–58.1%). When evaluating only studies with a low risk of bias, the incidence for stoma site incisional hernias is closer to one in three and for midline incisional hernias is closer to one in two.

Conclusion

Stoma site and midline incisional hernias are significant clinical complications of stoma reversals. The quality of studies available is poor and heterogeneous. Future prospective randomized controlled trials or observational studies with standardized follow-up and outcome definitions/measurements are needed.     

Incisional hernia at the site of a stoma

Objective  Incisional hernia at the site where a patient had previously had a stoma has not been clearly studied. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence and associated factors that may lead to an incisional hernia related to the reversal of an intestinal stoma. Patients and methods  An analysis was made of 70 cases of intestinal reconnection. All patients received Cefotaxime or Ceftazidime during anaesthesia induction and two more doses at 1–8 h in the post-operative period. In all of the cases, closure of the stoma site was effected as a primary closure using no. 1 polyglycolic acid continuous suture. There followed wound lavage with iodopovidone, and the skin was closed with simple sutures using polypropylene 3/0. No drain was left in situ in any of the cases. The study considered the following aspects: demographic characteristics of the study group; illnesses giving rise to the need for stoma formation; the stoma site itself; clinical aspects, including body mass index (BMI); the incidence of incisional hernia; and any complications involving the surgical wound. Results  At this hospital, the cause of requiring treatment with stoma formation was diverticular disease of the colon principally, and the age of the patients varied from 36 to 87 years (median 61). The incidence of incisional hernia at the stoma site was 22 cases (31.4%), presenting equally in both sexes and with greater frequency under the following circumstances: during the first year of follow-up and in patients with concomitant illnesses, principally diabetes. Local complications involving the surgical wound occurred in six cases (8.5%). Conclusion  The incidence of incisional hernia at the stoma site was found to be 31.4% in this study, which is a high incidence of hernias with simple repair.     

Incisional hernias in midline incisions: An eight-year follow up

Summary The aim of this study was to report the incidence of incisional hernias following midline laparotomy incisions after 12 months and after 8 years. 374 patients who underwent midline laparotomy between August 1989 and December 1990 were included. The wounds were closed with a continuous suture and the technique was monitored by the suture length to wound length ratio. The incidence of incisional hernia, defined as a palpable defect in the fascia or a protrusion beyond this level, was monitored at 12 months and after 8 years. Early wound dehiscence occurred in 3 patients (1%) and wound infection in 32 (9%). At the 12-month examination 58 (20%) incisional hernias were detected in 292 patients. After 8 years 142 patients were examined and 5 (3%) hernias were found. All hernias that caused inconvenience or required surgical repair were detected at 12 months follow-up. Most hernias appearing later have probably been overlooked at the first examination.     

造口旁疝的外科治疗现状及展望

造口旁疝是永久性肠造口术后最常见的远期并发症之一,属于造口旁腹壁切口疝的一种。其发病率逐年增加,虽然大部分造口旁疝患者无明显临床症状,或仅有轻微的腹部不适感,可通过保守治疗改善,但当患者出现严重腹痛、肠梗阻及腹部膨隆等并发症时常需手术治疗。手术方式主要包括3种：缝合修补术、造口移位术及补片修补术。对于有高危险因素的患者,可考虑在造口时预防性放置补片。复习国内外相关文献,就造口旁疝的外科治疗研究进展进行总结论述。     

Mass closure of abdominal wounds following major laparotomy in jaundiced patients.

Previous clinical studies have demonstrated an increased incidence of wound dehiscence and incisional hernia formation in jaundiced patients following major laparotomy. Nearly all of these patients had their wounds closed in layers. In order to determine the rate of wound failure in jaundiced patients when a mass closure technique is used, 343 non-jaundiced patients undergoing biliary surgery and 62 jaundiced patients undergoing surgery have been studied. All the wounds were closed using a mass closure technique and the patients were seen regularly as outpatients. There were no wound dehiscences in either group (incidence 0%). Twenty seven (7.9%) of the non-jaundiced patients and 4 (9.8%) of the surviving jaundiced patients developed incisional hernias within one year of operation. We conclude that the rate of wound dehiscence in jaundiced patients can be much reduced using the mass closure technique. The rate of incisional hernia formation in jaundiced patients following major laparotomy is similar to that found in non-jaundiced patients when this technique is used.     

Einflussfaktoren der Narbenhernienentstehung Retrospektive Untersuchung an 2.983 laparotomierten Patienten über einen Zeitraum von 10 Jahren

INTRODUCTION: Incisional hernia formation is one of the most frequent complications in visceral surgery requiring reoperation. Risk factors for incisional hernia formation and preventive strategies are not clearly defined. METHODS: In a retrospective study including 2983 patients over a 10-year period, the influence of demographic data, pre-, intra- and postoperative risk factors for incisional hernia development were evaluated. From the subgroups medical history, medication, laboratory values, indication, surgical technique, course of operation, postoperative course and wound healing, altogether 43 parameters were analysed. Statistical evaluation was performed using the chi 2-test according to Pearson, and binary logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean incisional hernia incidence in the study was 4.3%. In the mean follow-up period of 21.1 months, the incisional hernia incidence was calculated at 9.8% using the Kaplan-Meier estimate; for a 10-year period it reached 18.7%. The study revealed that 31.5% of all incisional hernias developed in the first 6 months after the operation, 54.4% after 12 months, 74.8% after 2 years and 88.9% after 5 years. Significant demographic factors influencing incisional hernia incidence were age (> 45 years) and male gender. The preoperative factors anaemia (Hb < 100 g/l) and BMI > 25, the intraoperative factors recurrent incision and previous laparotomy, and the postoperative factors catecholamin-therapy and disturbed wound healing were of significant influence. CONCLUSION: The calculated incisional hernia incidence for a 10 year period of almost 20% and the manifestation of 50% of all hernias more than 12 months after the operation, underline the necessity to intensify surgical research in the field of laparotomy healing. In comparison to demographic and endogenous risk factors, the surgical technique has less influence on laparotomy healing. Measures to ameliorate tissue perfusin seem to exert a positive influence on incisional hernia incidence.     

Loose fascial closure and fascial defects: effects on laparotomy healing in rats

Summary Every suture technique in surgery aims at connecting tissue structures until stable scar formation has developed. Although the negative effects of high suture tension on the mechanical properties of the developing scar are well known, the applied suture tension has not been standardized and depends on the surgeon's experience. In this study the effects of low suture tension on laparotomy closure were studied in rats and an incisional hernia model was developed. Median laparotomies were closed by running suture using Foley-catheters with a diameter of 2.4, 4.8 and 7.2 mm as distance holders. In another group, an abdominal wall defect of 2 cm diameter was created and covered internally by larger omentum. After 28 days laparotomies closed using a distance holder with diameter of 2.4 and 4.8 mm had healed without developing fascial dehiscence or incisional hernia. With 7.2 mm catheters all animals developed a ruptured abdomen. All animals with abdominal wall defects developed incisional hernias with stable hernial sacs without significant inflammatory reaction. Laparotomy closure intentionally performed with a surplus of suture material of up to 21% per stitch in a 4 cm incision does not result in a disturbance of wound healing or hernia formation. Creating an abdominal wall defect with an internal covering of great omentum in rats reliably results in incisional hernia formation closely resembling that found in humans. These results underline the necessity to further determine values for tissue-specific suture tension experimentally.     

Long-Term Study of Port-Site Incisional Hernia After Laparoscopic Procedures

Background:

Laparoscopic surgery is widely practiced and offers realistic benefits over conventional surgery. There is considerable variation in results between surgeons, concerning port-site complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the laparoscopic port closure technique and to explore the factors associated with port-site incisional hernia.

Methods:

Between January 2000 and January 2007, 5541 laparoscopic operations were performed by a single consultant surgeon for different indications. The ports were closed by the classical method using a J-shaped needle after release of pneumoperitoneum. The incidence of port-site incisional hernias was calculated. All patients were followed up by outpatient clinic visits and by their general practitioners.

Results:

During a 6-year period, 5541 laparoscopic operations were performed. Eight patients (0.14%) developed port-site hernia during a mean follow-up period of 43 months (range, 25 to 96) and required elective surgery to repair their hernias. No major complications or mortality was reported.

Conclusion:

Laparoscopic port closure using the classical method was associated with an acceptable incidence of port-site hernia. Modification of the current methods of closure may lead to a new technique to prevent or reduce the incidence of port-site incisional hernias.     

Incisional hernia risk after hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery

Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) bridges traditional open surgery and pure laparoscopy. The HALS technique provides the necessary site for organ retrieval, reduces operative time, and realizes the postoperative benefits of laparoscopic techniques. Although the reported rates of incisional hernia should be theoretically low, we sought to determine our incidence of hernia after HALS procedures. A retrospective review of all HALS procedures was performed from July 2006 to June 2011. All patients who developed postoperative incisional hernias at the hand port site were confirmed by imaging or examination findings. Patient factors were reviewed to determine any predictors of hernia formation. Over the 5 years, 405 patients undergoing HALS procedures were evaluated: colectomy (264), nephrectomy (107), splenectomy/pancreatectomy (18), and ostomy reversal (10). The overall incidence of incisional hernia was 10.6 per cent. There were three perioperative wound dehiscences. The mean body mass index was significantly higher in the hernia group versus the no hernia cohort (32.1 vs 29.2 kg/m(2); P = 0.001). The hernia group also had a higher incidence of renal disease (18.6 vs 7.2%; P = 0.018). Mean time to hernia formation was 11.4 months (range, 1 to 57 months). Follow-up was greater than 12 months in 188 (46%) of patients, in which the rate of incisional hernia was 17 per cent. The rate of incisional hernia formation after hand-assisted laparoscopic procedures is higher than the reported literature. Because the mean time to hernia development is approximately 1 year, it is important to follow these patients to this end point to determine the true incidence of incisional hernia after hand-assisted laparoscopy.     

Incisional hernia following hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery for renal cell cancer.

OBJECTIVES: For renal cell cancer, the hand-assisted laparoscopic approach provides several advantages while maintaining equal advantages with regards to patient recovery. We offer our experience with laparoscopic hand-assisted radical nephrectomy and the incidence of ventral wall hernia. METHODS: Between February 1999 and July 2002, we performed 50 laparoscopic hand-assisted radical nephrectomies. A midline or a muscle splitting right lower quadrant incision was used depending on the side of the tumor. Hand-port incisions were all between 7 cm and 8 cm and closed with #1 polydioxanone sulfate suture in a running fashion. Three (6%) patients developed hand-port incisional hernias. All hernias occurred in midline hand-port sites. The average body weight of those who developed an incisional hernia was 137 kg. Although the cause of incisional hernia is multifactorial, we believe that obesity plays a significant role. The technical limitations involved in closing a short, deep ventral incision combined with the earlier return to activity of laparoscopy patients put this patient population at significant risk. CONCLUSION: We now perform an interrupted closure with nonabsorbable suture for the hand-assist incision and limited activity for 4 weeks to 6 weeks post procedure in high-risk patients. We have had no further wound hernias since adopting these changes.     

Welche Zugänge prädisponieren für Narbenhernien?

Incisional hernias are the most common long-term complication after laparotomy with a cumulative incidence up to 20%. Generally all injuries to the integrity of the abdominal wall can result in the development of an incisional hernia. Midline and transverse incisions cause similar hernia rates. By selection of a sufficient closure technique and appropriate suture material as well as taking appropriate accompanying treatment (antibiotic prophylaxis) and risk factors into consideration, surgery can reduce surgical site infections, wound dehiscence and incisional hernias. Results from randomized controlled trials have not yet demonstrated a superiority of laparoscope-assisted procedures compared to laparotomy for the prevention of incisional hernias. Access through natural orifices and removal of specimens through the same approach (NOTES) may prevent incisional hernias completely. The approach to the abdominal cavity has to be chosen according to the underlying disease of the patient, the anatomical conditions and further circumstances (e.g. urgency, extensibility, preservation of function of the abdominal wall and safety).     

Primary closure of laparotomies with high risk of incisional hernia using prosthetic material: analysis of usefulness

Incisional hernia continues to be a serious postoperative complication in abdominal surgery. We present a prospective randomised study to evaluate the usefulness of placement of a supra-aponeurotic polypropylene mesh in the primary closure of laparotomies with a high risk of incisional hernia. Closure of a vertical laparotomy in 100 patients was accomplished with continuous suture using non-reabsorbable material, with placement of a polypropylene mesh on the aponeurotic surface in 50 patients. Three years after surgery, five patients in the group without the mesh had suffered incisional hernia. No incisional hernia was detected in the group in which closure was made using the mesh (P=0.02). Use of prosthetic material (polypropylene mesh) in the primary closure of laparotomies with a high risk of incisional hernia is useful for reduction of the rate of incisional hernias.     

Decision analysis model of incisional hernia after open abdominal surgery

Background The incidence rate of incisional hernias after open surgery has been reported to be higher than that of port site hernias after laparoscopic surgery. No studies have compared the costs for the health care system in treating those two types of hernia. Methods A systematic review was conducted to obtain the baseline data, and a decision analysis model was created to simulate the occurrence and recurrence of incisional and port site hernias. Results The overall risk of having incisional hernias was eight-times higher than that of having port site hernias (7.4% vs 0.9%). A cost savings of ￡93 per patient can be generated for the health care system in the UK. Similar results were obtained for Germany, Italy and France. Conclusions The additional treatment costs for incisional hernia should be taken into account when the costs of a surgery performed by open approach are compared with by laparoscopy.     

手辅助腹腔镜结直肠癌术后切口疝的发生危险因素分析

目的:探讨手辅助腹腔镜(hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery,HALS)结直肠癌术后切口疝发生的相关危险因素,为预防术后切口疝的发生提供证据。方法:回顾分析2009年8月至2012年8月为142例患者行HALS结直肠癌切除术的临床资料,至随访结束时,根据手辅助口位置是否发生切口疝将患者分为切口疝组及无切口疝组,分析两组患者年龄、性别、体质指数(body mass index,BMI)、吸烟、伴随疾病、辅助切口位置、切口长度、是否感染等与切口疝发生相关的危险因素。结果:入选的142例患者中,13例至随访结束时发生切口疝,发生率为9.2%,合并糖尿病的患者术后切口疝发生率明显高于无糖尿病患者(P<0.01),切口疝组患者平均BMI、吸烟率亦高于无切口疝组,与左下腹低位横切口相比,正中切口术后疝的发生率较高。结论:肥胖、吸烟、糖尿病、切口位置与切口疝的发生密切相关,充分的围手术期准备,可有效减少切口疝的发生。     

Closure of burst abdomen after major gastrointestinal operations--comparison of different surgical techniques and later development of incisional hernia.

OBJECTIVE: To find out the incidence of incisional hernia in patients who had resuture of a burst abdomen and to compare different methods of wound closure and the development of incisional hernia. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: University hospital, Norway. SUBJECTS: 78 adults patients who had their burst abdomens resutured between January 1986 and December 1995. INTERVENTIONS: Five different methods were used to close the burst abdomen: interrupted or continuous sutures with or without retention sutures, or retention sutures alone. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Incisional hernia after at least one year follow-up. RESULTS: Postoperative mortality was 14% (11/78), and 53 patients were followed up for at least a year. Incisional hernias developed in 43% (23/53) of the patients. When interrupted sutures were used (with or without retention sutures) 34% (13/38) of patients developed incisional hernias compared with 6/10 when the wound was closed with a continuous suture. Retention sutures did not reduce the incidence of incisional hernia. CONCLUSIONS: Incisional hernia is a common complication after resuture of a burst abdomen. We found no significant differences in the incidence of incisional hernias when continuous and interrupted techniques were compared. Retention sutures do not reduce the incidence of incisional hernias. There is still a need for refinements of the technique of closure of a burst abdomen.     

Risk factors and prevention of incisional hernia--what is evidence-based?

Incisional hernia is a late complication of laparotomy for which an evidence-based prohylactic approach is still lacking. Postoperatively, incisional hernias occur because of multiple factors. Preoperative comorbidities belong to these risk factors. A risk reduction related to concomitant diseases mostly does not succeed. There is a range of studies comparing the techniques of surgical wound closure. A consensus of these is that a running suture of the fascia with slowly absorbable or non-absorbable sutures results in the lowest incidence of incisional hernias. A one-cm distance between the stitches and a minimal distance of one cm to the fascial margin as well as a 4:1 suture length to wound length ratio are still valid principles. In any case, solely optimising the surgical technique of the abdominal wall closure is not able to reduce the incidence of incisional hernias. Prevention of postoperative complications by adequate pain management, respiratory training and early mobilisation are procedures to reduce the incidence of incisional hernias. However, systematic studies are lacking. To avoid an incisional hernia, only a practical approach remains which, however, does not meet the requirements of evidence-based medicine.     

Incisional intercostal hernia after a nephrectomy

The aim of the present case report is to present the diagnostic and therapeutic challenge of intercostal incisional hernia. We report on a female patient with leftsided intercostal incisional hernia between the eleventh and twelfth rib due to preceding lumbar incision for tumor nephrectomy. Because of its infrequence, diagnosis was established late although simple clinical examination and ultrasound investigation displayed the hernia. At laparotomy, a 5×5 cm² fascial defect with a colonic sliding hernia was found. Hernia repair using permanent mesh reinforcement in the retromuscular position is described. Abdominal incisional hernia in the intercostal region is rare and therefore easily overlooked. As with other incisional hernias, the hernia repair using mesh implantation in the retromuscular region is technically feasible and represents the treatment of choice.     

Laparoscopic sutured closure with mesh reinforcement of incisional hernias

Background This study reports medium-term outcomes of laparoscopic incisional hernia repair. Study Design Laparoscopic repair was performed on 721 patients with ventral hernia. After adhesiolysis the defect was closed with no. 1 polyamide suture or loop. This was followed by reinforcement with intraperitoneal onlay repair with a bilayered mesh. Results Laproscopic repair of ventral hernia was performed on 613 females and 108 males. Of these, 185 (25.7%) were recurrent incisional hernias of which 93 had undergone previous open hernioplasty. The remaining 92 patients had previously undergone sutured repair. The average operating time was 95 min (range 60–115 min). Conversion rate was 1%. The average hospital stay was 2 days (range 1–6 days). The commonest complication was seroma formation at the incisional hernia site. Full-thickness bowel injury occurred in two patients. The mean follow-up period was 4.2 years (range 3 months to 10 years). Recurrence was noted in four (0.55%) patients. Conclusion Laparoscopic repair is well-tolerated and can be accomplished with minimum morbidity in ventral hernias.     

VersaStepTM trocar hernia rate in unclosed fascial defects in bariatric patients

Objective Use of the VersaStep^TM trocar system (US Surgical, Norwalk, CT) has the perceived advantage of minimal trocar-related hernias in patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB). We performed a retrospective review of our last 747 consecutive operative procedures using these trocars. Methods and procedures The patient population was 747 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic RYGB at Duke University Health System Weight Loss Surgery Center from January 2002 through April 2005. A total of 3735 radially expanded trocar sites were used. VersaStep^TM trocars were used in all cases. The port configuration included one supraumbilical Hasson port, two 12-mm ports, and three 5-mm ports. The Hasson port was closed with a figure-of-eight number 1 Polysorb suture. All other trocar sites had no fascial closure. Intestinal anastomoses were created with a linear stapler in all of the laparoscopic cases, with hand suturing of the residual enterotomy. The fascial incisions were therefore not extended to accommodate an EEA stapler. The charts were reviewed for occurrence of subsequent trocar site hernias. Results There were no hernias at any of the VersaStep^TM trocar sites—an incidence of 0%. There were nine incisional hernias at the Hasson port site which later required surgical repair—an incidence of 1.20%. Conclusions There were no hernias detected at any of the 1494 12-mm or 2241 5-mm VersaStep^TM trocar sites, despite lack of suture closure. At the Hasson port site, there was a hernia incidence of 1.20%. In the bariatric RYGB population, routine suture closure of the fascia or muscle is not necessary when using radially expanding VersaStep^TM trocars.