Laparoscopic repair of large incisional hernias

BACKGROUND: Traditional approaches to incisional hernias (IH)--particularly in cases with large fascial defects--are plagued by a significant recurrence rate as well as frequent wound infections. The laparoscopic repair of incisional hernias was designed to offer a minimally invasive and tension-free technique that yields less morbidity and fewer recurrences than the standard open repair. Several years ago, we adopted the laparoscopic technique in our department and set out to appraise its touted advantages. METHODS: During the years 1997-2000, 103 patients underwent laparoscopic IH repair with implanted Dual Gore-tex mesh. Forty percent of them were obese, and 41% had undergone more than one previous attempt at conventional repair. All patients were discharged home within 24-72 hs. RESULTS: In three patients, the operation was converted to open surgery due to severe adhesions and technical difficulties. In two cases, inadvertent enterotomies were repaired laparoscopically, and since there was no major spillage, the repair was continued as planned, with no adverse consequences. Twelve patients underwent additional laparoscopic procedures at the initial operation. Two graft infections and four recurrences were observed during the 1-49 month follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic IH repair is technically feasible and safe in patients with large fascial defects as well as in obese patients. This operation decreases postoperative pain, hastens the recovery period, and reduces postoperative morbidity and recurrence.     

Laparoscopic repair of incisional hernias

Laparoscopic repair of incisional hernia has been shown safe and efficacious, with low rates of conversion to open, short hospital stay, moderate complication rate, and low recurrence. Using the benefits of open retromuscular, sublay repair, the laparoscopic approach provides adequate mesh overlap and allows for identification of the entire abdominal wall fascia at risk for hernia formation. Fixation of the prosthesis to the abdominal wall is best provided by transabdominal to secure the mesh during the initial phase of incorporation. Long-term follow-up data support the durability of laparoscopic repair of ventral hernias with reduced rate of recurrence, low risk of infection, and applicability to difficult patient populations, such as the morbidly obese and those with prior failed attempts.     

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。     

Anatomical repair of large incisional hernias.

We present a method of repair for large incisional hernias using lateral relieving incisions of the anterior rectus sheath. This is a modification of the methods previously described by Young (1), Hunter (2) and Maguire and Young (3). There were no recurrences in the 13 patients reviewed. Other methods of repair for large incisional hernias are discussed.     

Laparoscopic ePTFE mesh repair of incisional and ventral hernias

Incisional hernia is a relatively frequent complication of abdominal surgery. The use of mesh to repair incisional and ventral hernias results in lower recurrence rates compared with primary suture techniques. The laparoscopic approach may be associated with lower postoperative morbidity compared with open procedures. Long-term recurrence rates after laparoscopic ventral and incisional hernias are not well defined. A prospective study of the initial experience of a standardized technique of laparoscopic incisional and ventral hernia repair carried out in a tertiary referral hospital was undertaken between January 2003 and February 2007. Laparoscopic hernia repair was attempted in 71 patients and was successful in 68 (conversion rate 4%). The mean age of the patients identified was 63.1 years (39 men and 31 women). Multiple hernial defects were identified in 38 patients (56%), and the mean overall size of the fascial defects was 166 cm(2). The mean mesh size used was 403 cm(2). The mean operative time was 121 minutes. There were six (9%) major complications in this series, but there were no deaths. Hernia recurrence was noted in four patients (6%) at a mean follow up of 20 months. Our preliminary experience indicates that laparoscopic incisional and ventral hernia repair is technically feasible and has acceptable postoperative morbidity and low early recurrence rates.     

腹腔镜下腹壁切口疝补片修补术的初步经验

目的:探讨腹腔镜下腹壁切口疝修补术的手术方法、安全性等问题。方法:对我院2004年3月～11月间收治的25例腹壁切口疝病人,进行腹腔镜下修补术。结果:24例(96%)手术成功,1例(4%)因腹腔内广泛粘连而中转为剖腹修补。平均手术时间为110min,平均术后住院6d,6例(24%)病人术中发现有一个以上的隐匿性缺损。术后并发症有:术后短期内修补区腹壁明显疼痛21例(84%),腹壁缝合点较长时间疼痛6例(24%),浆液肿3例(12%);无修补区感染,也未发现早期复发的病例。结论:对腹壁切口疝,多数病人是可以经腹腔镜进行粘连松解及补片修补术的,还可在术中发现其他隐性缺损。对腹腔内广泛粘连而影响操作器械的进入及分离者,应及时中转剖腹手术。     

Laparoscopic repair of large hiatal hernias

BACKGROUND: The repair of large hiatal hernias can be technically challenging. Most series describing laparoscopic repair report only symptomatic outcomes and the true recurrence rate, including asymptomatic recurrence, is not well documented. This study evaluated the long-term outcome of laparoscopic repair of large hiatal hernias. METHODS: All patients who had undergone laparoscopic repair of a large hiatus hernia (more than 50 per cent of the stomach in the hernia) with a minimum 2-year clinical follow-up were identified from a prospectively maintained database. A standardized questionnaire was used to assess symptoms and a barium swallow radiograph was performed to determine anatomy. Multivariate analysis was used to identify factors associated with recurrence. RESULTS: Of 100 eligible patients, clinical follow-up was available in 96. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 8 (median 4) years. In patients with preoperative reflux symptoms, there were significant improvements in heartburn and dysphagia scores after surgery. Overall, 80 per cent of patients rated their outcome as good or excellent. Sixty patients underwent a postoperative barium meal examination that identified 14 radiological hernia recurrences (eight small, three medium and three large). Four other patients in this group of 60 had previously undergone reoperation for early and late recurrence (two of each), giving an overall recurrence rate of 18 of 60 (30 per cent). One third of patients with recurrence were totally asymptomatic and the presence of postoperative symptoms did not reliably predict the presence of anatomical recurrence. Younger age and increased weight at operation were independent risk factors contributing to recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic repair of large hiatal hernias yields good clinical outcome. Recurrence after laparoscopic repair seems to be more common than previously thought. Objective anatomical studies are required to determine the true recurrence rate. The majority of recurrences are not large and do not cause significant symptoms.     

Laparoscopic repair of ventral incisional hernias: pros and cons

Abdominal wall hernias are a familiar surgical problem. Millions of patients are affected each year, presenting most commonly with primary ventral, incisional, and inguinal hernias. Whether symptomatic or asymptomatic, hernias commonly cause pain or are aesthetically distressing to patients. These concerns, coupled with the risk of incarceration, are the most common reasons patients seek surgical repair of hernias. This article focuses on incisional hernias, reported to develop in 3% to 29% of laparotomy incisions.     

Laparoscopic tension-free repair of large paraesophageal hernias

The paraesophageal hernia is an unusual disorder of the esophageal hiatus that may be associated with life-threatening mechanical problems. Elective repair is recommended at the time the condition is diagnosed, and open surgery can be accomplished with a low incidence of complications. The option of performing these repairs through a laparoscopic approach may further reduce morbidity and recovery time associated with surgical intervention. The purpose of this report was to review available options for laparoscopic repair and to present our experience with a tension-free technique for large paraesophageal hernias. Three patients with large diaphragmatic defects had laparoscopic repairs using an expanded polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) patch secured with intracorporeal suturing techniques. One of these patients also underwent laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication in conjunction with repair of the hernia. In the other two patients, the fundus was secured to the right diaphragmatic crus to reduce the potential for recurrence and minimize postoperative reflux symptoms. All patients underwent successful repair without perioperative complications and had excellent long-term results. Laparoscopic repair of paraesophageal hernias can be accomplished by a number of different reported techniques. The use of a tension-free repair with PTFE may be particularly suitable for large diaphragmatic defects. An antireflux operation may be added selectively depending on clinical circumstances.     

Laparoscopic suture repair of selected incisional hernias: a simple technique

An incisional hernia is a common condition that can be repaired by laparoscopic surgery, with the use of a prosthetic mesh. There are certain situations, however, in which the use of a mesh might be contraindicated, inadvisable, unnecessary, or unavailable. In this paper, we report on a new laparoscopic technique for the suture repair of incisional hernias that may be safely used under such conditions in selected patients.     

Intraperitoneal modification of the Rives-Stoppa repair for large incisional hernias

Introduction Recurrence rates for open repair of ventral/incisonal hernias historically range from 6% for the classic Rives-Stoppa repair to 35–45% for some of the techniques more commonly used in the United States. We report a modification to the classic Rives-Stoppa repair that allows intraperitoneal placement of the prosthetic, secured with a running suture. The abdominal muscles are closed over the mesh to protect it from any superficial wound problems that might develop and to restore normal architecture of the abdominal wall. Method A chart review was undertaken on all patients undergoing open ventral incisional hernia repair by a single surgeon from 2000 to 2006. All hernias were repaired with the intraperitoneal modification mimicking the principles of the Rives-Stoppa repair. Patient characteristics and operative and postoperative data were collected. Primary outcome was recurrence of hernia. Secondary outcomes were complications and rate of mesh infection. Results One hundred and fifteen patients were evaluated. Thirty-four patients had repair of recurrent ventral hernias. The average patient was obese, female, and 59 years old. Twenty-five patients used tobacco, eleven were diabetic, and seven used chronic corticosteroids. Meshes utilized included ePTFE, coated polyester, coated polypropylene, and biologic mesh. Average size of mesh was 465.4 cm². There were four recurrences (3.4%), three of which were due to mesh infection requiring mesh removal. Recurrence rate not secondary to mesh removal was 0.9%. Complications occurred in 26% with seroma formation being the most frequent (16%). Conclusion The intraperitoneal modification to the original Rives-Stoppa repair leads to a very low recurrence rate for large ventral hernia repairs with minimal complications and low rate of mesh infection. Presented at the 2007 American Hernia Society Meeting, Hollywood, FL, USA.