Outcomes following repair of incarcerated and strangulated ventral hernias with or without synthetic mesh

Background

The use of synthetic mesh for ventral hernia repair under contaminated conditions is a controversial issue due to the considerable risk of surgical site infection (SSI). This study aimed to review the outcomes of repair of incarcerated and strangulated ventral hernias with or without synthetic mesh in compliance with established clinical guidelines regarding the incidence of SSI and hernia recurrence.

Methods

The records of patients with complicated ventral hernias who were treated with or without synthetic mesh repair were reviewed. Variables collected included the characteristics of patients and of ventral hernias, type of repair, and incidence of SSI and recurrence.

Results

One hundred twenty-two patients (56 males) of a mean age of 56 years were included. Fifty-two (42.6%) and 70 (57.4%) patients presented with incarcerated and strangulated ventral hernias, respectively. Sixty-six (54%) patients were treated with on-lay mesh repair, and 56 (46%) were managed with suture repair. Twenty-one patients required bowel resection. SSI was detected in eight (6.5%) patients. There was no significant difference between both groups regarding the incidence of SSI (7.5% for mesh group vs 5.3% for suture group). Recurrence occurred in seven patients. Median follow-up period was 24 months. The suture repair group had a significantly higher incidence of recurrence than the mesh group. Diabetes mellitus, previous recurrence, and intestinal resection were significant predictors for SSI.

Conclusion

Following established guidelines, synthetic mesh repair of incarcerated and strangulated ventral hernias attained lower recurrence rate, comparable incidence of SSI, and higher rate of seroma formation than suture repair.

Trial registration

Research Registry, researchregistry1891

     

Polypropylene mesh repair of incarcerated and strangulated hernias: a prospective clinical study

Purpose

There is a common doubt regarding the application of polypropylene mesh to treat incarcerated and strangulated hernias due to the possibility of surgical site infection. We aimed to investigate the results of mesh repair of incarcerated and strangulated hernias, and to evaluate the incidence of wound infection and recurrence.

Methods

One hundred and fifty-three consecutive patients with incarcerated and strangulated hernias underwent surgery with mesh repair. The patients were divided into two groups: a resection group and a nonresection group. Fisher’s exact test, the Chi-square test and independent samples t test were used to determine the statistical significance level (p < 0.05).

Results

While 53 patients required organ resection, the remaining 100 patients did not. The most frequently incarcerated organs were the omentum (86), small bowel (74) and colon (15). Most of the resections were performed in the omentum (36), small bowel (23) and colon (2). While five of the 53 patients (9.4 %) in the resection group developed wound infections, no infections were observed in the nonresection group (p = 0.004). The infection rate in all patients was 3.3 % (five of 153 patients). None of the infected patients required mesh removal. There were no mortalities or recurrence in either group.

Conclusions

The findings revealed effective and safe usage of mesh along with antibiotic therapy in patients undergoing incarcerated and strangulated hernia repair.     

开放式腹膜前间隙补片修补术治疗腹股沟嵌顿或绞窄性疝的安全性和有效性

目的评估开放式腹膜前间隙补片修补术治疗腹股沟嵌顿或绞窄性疝的安全性和有效性。 方法回顾性分析2014年4月至2019年12月于张家港市第五人民医院普外科因腹股沟嵌顿或绞窄性疝手术治疗的患者102例,根据是否应用补片修补分为观察组（52例）和对照组（50例）。比较2组患者手术时间、住院时间、视觉模拟评分法（VAS）、术后并发症发生率及复发情况。 结果2组患者平均手术时间及住院时间比较,差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）。2组患者术后1、6、12 h及出院时VAS评分相比较,差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）。2组间术后并发症发生率比较,差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。术后随访1年,观察组无复发,而对照组复发7例,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。 结论开放式腹膜前间隙补片修补术治疗腹股沟嵌顿或绞窄性疝不仅安全有效,且术后复发率低,值得在临床推广应用。     

Comparison of prosthetic mesh repair and tissue repair in the emergency management of incarcerated para-umbilical hernia: a prospective randomized study

Background Although prosthetic repair has become the gold standard for elective management of para-umbilical hernia (PUH) its use in the setting of acute incarceration is still limited for fear of prosthetic-related complications, mainly infection. The objective of this study was to compare results from prosthetic repair and tissue repair in the management of the acutely incarcerated PUH. Patients and methods Forty-two patients were prospectively randomized to either the prosthetic-repair group (group 1 = 21 patients) or the tissue-repair group (group 2 = 21 patients). In group 1, an onlay polypropylene mesh was inserted and the presence of non-viable intestine was not considered a contraindication for mesh repair. Operative time, postoperative hospital stay, and postoperative complications were recorded. Follow-up was performed by physical examination to detect recurrence. Results Mean operative time was significantly longer for group 1 (96.9 ± 14.6 compared with 65.5 ± 14.6 min for group 2, P < 0.05). Postoperative hospital stay did not differ significantly between the groups (3 ± 1.6 compared with 3.5 ± 2.2 days for groups 1 and 2, respectively). Postoperative complications did not differ significantly between the groups (28.6 vs. 23.8% for groups 1 and 2, respectively). No mesh had to be removed. At follow-up (mean 16 ± 5.5 months) there were four recurrences in group 2 (4/21, 19%) and no recurrences in group 1 (P < 0.05). Conclusion Use of prosthetic repair for emergency management of incarcerated PUH is safe and leads to superior results, in terms of recurrence, compared with conventional tissue repair. The presence of non-viable intestine cannot, furthermore, be regarded as a contraindication for prosthetic repair.     

Telerobotic laparoscopic repair of incisional ventral hernias using intraperitoneal prosthetic mesh.

Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair shortens the length of hospital stay and achieves low rates of hernia recurrence. The inherent difficulties of performing advanced laparoscopy operations, however, have limited the adoption of this technique by many surgeons. We hypothesized that the virtual operative field and hand-like instruments of a telerobotic surgical system could overcome these limitations. We present herein the first 2 reported cases of telerobotic laparoscopic ventral hernia repair with mesh. The operations were accomplished with the da Vinci telerobotic surgical system. The hernia defects were repaired with dual-sided, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) mesh. The mesh was secured in place with 8 sutures that were passed through the abdominal wall, and 5-mm surgical tacks were placed around the circumference of the mesh. The 2 operations were accomplished with total operative times of 120 and 135 minutes and total operating room times of 166 and 180 minutes, respectively. The patients were discharged home on postoperative days 1 and 4. The surgeon sat in an ergonomically comfortable position at a computer console that was remote from the patient. Immersion of the surgeon within the 3-dimensional virtual operative field expedited each stage of these procedures. The articulation of the wristed telerobotic instruments greatly facilitated reaching the anterior abdominal cavity near the abdominal wall. This report indicates that telerobotic laparoscopic ventral hernia repair is feasible and suggests that telepresence technology facilitates this procedure.     

Prosthetic repair of acutely incarcerated groin hernias: a prospective clinical observational cohort study

Background and aim  

Mesh usage in repair of acutely incarcerated hernia is still a concern owing to infectious complications. The aim of this prospective clinical observational cohort study was to evaluate factors that increase the risk of bowel necrosis and to document the clinical outcome of the patients with acutely incarcerated groin hernias treated by non-absorbable mesh.     

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.     

腹腔镜下腹壁疝腹膜外补片修补术与腹腔内补片修补术比较的多中心回顾性研究

背景与目的 腹壁疝修补术是最常见的外科手术之一,全球每年有200万例左右的腹壁疝患者接受手术治疗。与开放手术相比,腹腔镜下腹壁疝修补术优势明显。然而腹腔镜下腹腔内补片修补术（IPOM）与腹腔镜下腹膜外补片修补术（ESR）这两种腔镜术式的优缺点及疗效如何,尚无大样本的临床研究证实。因此,本研究通过比较ESR与IPOM两种手术方式治疗腹壁疝的近远期疗效,为临床提供循证参考。方法 回顾性分析2017年1月1日—2022年12月31日湖南省11家医疗机构收治的157例行腹腔镜腹壁疝修补术患者的临床资料,其中124例行ESR（ESR组）,33例行IPOM（IPOM组）,对比分析两组病例的临床特点、手术方式和术后近远期效果。结果 全组无中转开腹病例或围术期死亡病例。两组病例的年龄、性别、BMI、类型差异均无统计学意义（均P>0.05）。两组病例疝环横径、手术时间、术中出血量、疝环闭合概率差异均无统计学意义（均P>0.05）。网片固定方式ESR组以自固定和缝线固定为主（91.1%）,而IPOM组以钉枪固定为主（69.7%）,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。ESR组的术后疼痛评分明显低于IPOM组（2.4±0.8 vs. 2.8±1.0,P<0.05）,住院费用明显低于IPOM组（21 001元vs. 38 437元,P<0.05）。两组的术后住院时间和近期并发症发生率差异无统计学意义（均P>0.05）。中位随访10.3个月,ESR组无复发病例,IPOM组2例复发（6.1%）,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论 ESR是湖南地区腹腔镜下腹壁疝修补的主流术式之一。由于固定方式和网片选择的不同,ESR较之IPOM而言,术后疼痛更轻微、费用更低、复发率更低,且并不明显增加手术时间和术后近期并发症。     

腹腔镜与开放式无张力修补术治疗腹壁疝临床对比研究

目的 评价腹腔镜腹壁疝修补术（LVHR）的安全性与有效性。方法 对2007年1月至2008年8月间上海交通大学医学院附属瑞金医院接受无张力修补术的68例腹壁疝病人（缺损长径≤20cm）的临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果 LVHR 31例,开放式腹壁疝修补术（OVHR）37例。随访时间1～21个月（中位时间11个月）。LVHR与OVHR在年龄、性别比、BMI和疝缺损大小上差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。LVHR与OVHR的平均手术时间分别为（60.5±17.7）min和（75.5±30.3）min（P＝0.017）,平均术后住院天数分别为（6.2±2.5）d和（9.6±8.0）d（P＝0.026）,术后2周内恢复非限制性活动人数分别为96.8%和78.4%（P=0.026）,差异均有统计学意义。两组术后第1天的疼痛评分VAS分别为5.6±1.2和6.3±1.3,差异有统计学意义（P＝0.018）,术后1周和1个月的VAS差异无统计学意义（P＝0.932,P＝0.056）。两组总并发症发生率分别为19.4%和24.3%（P =0.623）,复发率分别为3.2%和5.6%（P =1.000）,差异无统计学意义。两组的住院总费用分别为（18334±5336）元和（9508±9222）元,差异有统计学意义（P =0.000）。结论 LVHR对于缺损长径<20cm的腹壁疝是安全有效的。     

Comparison of open and laparoscopic prosthetic repair of large ventral hernias.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Open ventral hernia repair is associated with significant morbidity and high recurrence rates. Recently, the laparoscopic approach has evolved as an attractive alternative. Our objective was to compare open with laparoscopic ventral hernia repairs. METHODS: Fifty laparoscopic and 22 open ventral hernia repairs were included in the study. All patients underwent a tension-free repair with retromuscular placement of the prosthesis. No significant difference between the 2 groups was noted regarding patient demographics and hernia characteristics except that the population in the open group was relatively older (59.4 vs 47.82, P < 0.003). RESULTS: We found no significant difference in the operative time between the 2 groups (laparoscopic 132.7 min vs open 152.7 min). Laparoscopic repair was associated with a significant reduction in the postoperative narcotic requirements (27 vs 58.95 mg i.v. morphine, P < 0.002) and the lengths of nothing by mouth (NPO) status (10 vs 55.3 hrs. P < 0.001), and hospital stay (1.88 vs 5.38 days, P < 0.001). The incidence of major complications (1 vs 4, P < 0.028), the hernia recurrence (1 vs 4, P < 0.028), and the time required for return to work (25.95 vs 47.8, P < 0.036) were significantly reduced in the laparoscopic group. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic ventral hernioplasty offers significant advantages and should be considered for repair of primary and incisional ventral hernias.     

Laparoscopic transperitoneal sublay mesh repair: a new technique for the cure of ventral and incisional hernias

Background

Incisional hernia is a frequent complication after abdominal surgery. Today open sublay mesh repair and the laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh repair are the most widely used techniques for its cure. We developed a laparoscopic transperitoneal sublay mesh repair for the treatment of small- and medium-size ventral and incisional hernias. Outcomes of the new technique and the Rives–Stoppa repair were compared.

Methods

This prospective cohort study with a control group involved 93 patients. Between 2008 and 2010, 43 patients underwent the laparoscopic transperitoneal sublay mesh repair. During the same period of time, a control group of 50 patients underwent an open sublay repair after Rives and Stoppa. In 2011, all patients were invited for follow-up. This included pain assessments and physical examinations with use of ultrasound.

Results

The two groups were comparable in terms of patient characteristics and hernia data. The operating time was slightly longer for the laparoscopic technique. The hospital stay was shorter in the laparoscopy group. There was less chronic pain in the laparoscopy group, but this difference was not statistically significant. There was no significant difference in postoperative complications, use of analgetics, foreign body sensation, and paresthesia between the two groups. We found one long-term hematoma in the laparoscopy group and one seroma in the open group. In this series, there were no recurrences and no wound infections.

Conclusions

Our initial results indicate that the new laparoscopic transperitoneal sublay mesh repair is a safe and effective method for the treatment of small- and medium-size ventral and incisional hernias.     

Laparoscopic repair of parahiatal hernias with mesh: a retrospective study

Background  Parahiatal hernias are very rare and distinct entities, the diagnosis of which is never made clinically. Laparoscopic repair has been reported in the literature. We present our experiences with the laparoscopic repair of this uncommon type of hernia. Patients and methods  In our institute, we retrospectively identified a total of eight patients with parahiatal hernias from 1999 to 2007, of which four had primary and four had secondary defects. Laparoscopic crural repair was performed for all of the patients, fundoplication wherever indicated and meshplasty in the cases with large defects. Gastropexy was performed for the patient with volvulus. Results  The male:female ratio was 5:3, with a mean age of 46 years and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 29.3 kg/m². The mean size of the defects was 18 cm². The mean blood loss during surgery was 50 ml, the mean operative time was 103.5 min and the mean hospital stay was 4 days. One patient had the recurrence of symptoms 1 month after surgery. There were no conversions, recurrences or mortality. Discussion  Primary parahiatal hernias occur as a result of a congenital weakness and secondary defects follow hiatal surgery. The use of a mesh is advisable for large defects and defects of primary type. Secondary hernias following fundoplication do not need a redo fundoplication, but require an adequate crural repair with mesh. Laparoscopic repair of these uncommon hernias is safe, effective and provides all of the benefits of minimally invasive surgery.     

Long-term pain and recurrence after repair of ventral incisional hernias by open mesh: clinical and MRI study

Background and aims Polypropylene mesh repair of large incisional ventral hernias has become increasingly popular. Long-term effects of the mesh on pain and abdominal muscles are not known.Patients/methods Retromuscular pre-peritoneal polypropylene mesh was placed by open technique in 84 consecutive patients with large ventral hernias (mean defect size 130 cm²). We re-examined the patients after a mean follow-up time of 3 years to find out the frequency of recurrence and chronic pain. We measured the thickness of abdominal muscles of eight patients preoperatively, and postoperatively after 1 year, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Results Recurrent hernias had appeared in four patients (5%) at follow-up. Nine patients (13%) needed occasional pain-relieving drugs, but only three (4%) suffered persistent, severe, pain from the mesh. Some limitation during leisure-time physical activities was found in 10% of patients. Only ten patients (12%) were re-operated on because of wound complications or recurrence. MRI study indicated that abdominal muscles were postoperatively well preserved. Although wound infections (6%) and seroma (9%) were frequent complications, there was no need for meshes to be removed in the follow-up.Conclusion Open ventral herniorrhaphy with mesh is safe, effective and inexpensive. Small, recurrent hernias were infrequent and easy to re-operated on. Severe pain from the mesh was not common. Postoperative MRI study indicated no obvious damage of abdominal muscles after mesh placement.     

The repair of large parastomal hernias using a midline approach and a prosthetic mesh in the sublay position

Parastomal herniation is a very frequent complication in enterostomy. The therapeutic strategy consists of three approaches: local fascial repair, relocation of the stoma, and a variety of more elaborate procedures, many of which also involve the use of nonabsorbable meshes. Despite this multitude of available techniques, recurrence rates are high, and long-term complications, especially after mesh implantation, are frequent. In order to improve operative results, we would suggest that a parastomal hernia be treated like a subtype of incisional herniation and that methods be employed that have proved to be effective in this situation. A midline approach allows the operation to be performed under practically sterile conditions. The reinforcing mesh is placed in a sublay position, using a combined intraperitoneal and epifascial preparation. Any direct contact between mesh and intestines is thus avoided. A new type of mesh with substantially reduced polypropylene content decreases the occurrence of both early and late complications.