Late results of mesh wound closure after elective open aortic aneurysm repair.

INTRODUCTION: Incisional hernia is a common late complication after abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. We examined the outcome after prophylactic placement of a pre-peritoneal polypropylene mesh during abdominal closure in consecutive patients having elective AAA repair. REPORT: At least 30 months after surgery, 28 patients underwent clinical and ultrasound examination of their surgical wound for incisional hernias. Only one patient had a hernia in the original surgical scar. No patients had late mesh-related wound problems. DISCUSSION: Pre-peritoneal polypropylene mesh placement is a simple, safe and effective method to decrease the incidence of incisional hernia after AAA repair.     

Porcine dermal collagen (Permacol) for abdominal wall reconstruction

OBJECTIVE: A review of Eisenhower Army Medical Center's experience using Permacol (Tissue Science Laboratories, Covington, Georgia) for the repair of abdominal wall defects. METHODS: Retrospective review of medical records of patients undergoing abdominal wall reconstruction with Permacol. RESULTS: From July 30, 2003 to February 12, 2005, 9 patients underwent repair of complicated fascial defects with Permacol. Indications for surgery included reoperative incisional hernia repair after removal of a infected mesh (3 patients), reconstruction of a fascial defect after resection of an abdominal wall tumor (2 patients), incisional hernia repair in a patient with a previous abdominal wall infection after a primary incisional hernia repair (1 patient), incisional hernia repair in a patient with an ostomy and an open midline wound (1 patient), emergent repair of incisional hernia with strangulated bowel and multiple intra-abdominal abscesses (1 patient), and excision of infected mesh and drainage of intra-abdominal abscess with synchronous repair of the abdominal wall defect (1 patient). At a median follow-up of 18.2 months, 1 recurrent hernia existed after intentional removal of the Permacol. This patient developed an abdominal wall abscess 7 months after hernia repair secondary to erosion from a suture. Overall, 1 patient developed exposure of the Permacol after a skin dehiscence. The wound was treated with local wound care, and the Permacol was salvaged. Despite the presence of contamination (wound classification II, III, or IV) in 5 of 9 patients (56%), no infectious complications occurred. CONCLUSION: Complex reconstruction of the abdominal wall can be associated with a high complication rate. Placement of a permanent prosthetic mesh in a contaminated field is associated with a high rate of wound infections and subsequent mesh removal. Permacol becomes incorporated by tissue ingrowth and neovascularization. Permacol is a safe and acceptable alternative to prosthetic mesh in the repair of complicated abdominal wall defects.     

Long-term follow-up of a randomized controlled trial of suture versus mesh repair of incisional hernia

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the best treatment of incisional hernia, taking into account recurrence, complications, discomfort, cosmetic result, and patient satisfaction. BACKGROUND: Long-term results of incisional hernia repair are lacking. Retrospective studies and the midterm results of this study indicate that mesh repair is superior to suture repair. However, many surgeons are still performing suture repair. METHODS: Between 1992 and 1998, a multicenter trial was performed, in which 181 eligible patients with a primary or first-time recurrent midline incisional hernia were randomly assigned to suture or mesh repair. In 2003, follow-up was updated. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 75 months for suture repair and 81 months for mesh repair patients. The 10-year cumulative rate of recurrence was 63% for suture repair and 32% for mesh repair (P < 0.001). Abdominal aneurysm (P = 0.01) and wound infection (P = 0.02) were identified as independent risk factors for recurrence. In patients with small incisional hernias, the recurrence rates were 67% after suture repair and 17% after mesh repair (P = 0.003). One hundred twenty-six patients completed long-term follow-up (median follow-up 98 months). In the mesh repair group, 17% suffered a complication, compared with 8% in the suture repair group (P = 0.17). Abdominal pain was more frequent in suture repair patients (P = 0.01), but there was no difference in scar pain, cosmetic result, and patient satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Mesh repair results in a lower recurrence rate and less abdominal pain and does not result in more complications than suture repair. Suture repair of incisional hernia should be abandoned.     

Incidence of incisional hernias in patients operated on for aneurysm or occlusive disease

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of postoperative incisional hernias after elective open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair versus aortofemoral reconstruction. In this open prospective study, 281 patients who underwent elective open AAA or aortofemoral repair were included. All patients were evaluated by clinical examination 1 month after the operation, every 6 months for the next 5 years, and every year thereafter for the presence of an incisional hernia. Mean duration of follow-up was 63.7 months (range, 12-144 months). Seventeen patients (6.2%) were lost to follow-up. The development of a postoperative incisional hernia was recorded and analyzed with regard to the demographic data and the traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox regression analysis. The development of a postoperative incisional hernia after AAA surgical repair had an incidence of 16.2 per cent versus 7.4 per cent after aortofemoral reconstruction. Patients electively operated on for AAA have a 3.8-fold increase of developing a postoperative incisional hernia over patients operated on for peripheral occlusive disease (POD).     

Abdominal lipectomy and mesh repair of midline periumbilical hernia after bariatric surgery: How to spare the umbilicus

Background: Abdominal lipectomy is becoming an increasingly common surgical procedure in patients with esthetic deformities resulting from massive weight loss induced by bariatric surgery. Sometimes a midline incisional hernia coexists with the pendulus abdomen. Herein presented is a technique to perform a retromuscular mesh repair of the incisional hernia while sparing the umbilicus. Methods: The abdominal lipectomy with concomitant retro-muscular mesh repair of a midline incisional hernia is done sparing the vascular supply of the umbilicus on one side only. Results: 5 consecutive women with pendulus abdomen resulting from bariatric surgery-induced massive weight loss and concomitant midline incisional hernia underwent abdominal lipectomy and incisional hernia mesh repair. Mean BMI was 28.6 kg/m² (range 26–35), one patient was a smoker, and another had type 2 diabetes requiring oral hypoglycemic agents. Two patients had had a previous incisional hernia repair with intraperitoneal mesh. One patient had partial necrosis of the umbilicus and another experienced necrosis of only the epidermis that recovered fully. Conclusions: The umbilicus can be safely spared during abdominal lipectomy with concomitant midline incisional hernia mesh repair. Recurrent incisional hernia and common risk factors for wound healing such as diabetes and obesity increase the risk of umbilical necrosis.     

Incisional hernia after repair of wound dehiscence: incidence and risk factors

The true incidence of incisional hernia after wound dehiscence repair remains unclear because thorough long-term follow-up studies are not available. Medical records of all patients who had undergone wound dehiscence repair between January 1985 and January 1999 at the Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam were reviewed. Long-term follow-up was performed by physical examination of all patients in February 2001. One hundred sixty-eight patients underwent wound dehiscence repair. Of those, 42 patients (25%) died within 60 days after surgery. During a median follow-up of 37 months (range, 3-146 months), 55 of the remaining 126 patients developed an incisional hernia. The cumulative incidence of incisional hernia was 69 per cent at 10 years. Significant independent risk factors were aneurysm of the abdominal aorta (10-year cumulative incidence of 84%, P = 0.02) and severe dehiscence with evisceration (10-year cumulative incidence of 78%, P = 0.01). Wound dehiscence repair by interrupted sutures had no better outcome than repair by continuous sutures. Suture material did not influence incidence of incisional hernia. Incisional hernia develops in the majority of patients after wound dehiscence repair, regardless of suture material or technique. Aneurysm of the abdominal aorta and severe dehiscence with evisceration predispose to incisional hernia.     

补片法治疗21例腹壁巨大疝临床分析

目的 探讨应用补片法治疗腹壁巨大切口疝的临床效果.方法 对2004年5月至2008年5月应用肌后筋膜前(腹膜前)补片置入法治疗腹壁巨大切口疝21例进行回顾性分析,随访3～60个月,平均32个月.结果 21例患者术后复发1例,切口感染1例,皮下积液2例,复发率及并发症率均小于文献报道.结论 肌后筋膜前(腹膜前)补片置入法治疗腹壁巨大切口疝具有复发率低,并发症少,费用低等特点,值得临床推广应用.     

Elective colonic operation and prosthetic repair of incisional hernia: does contamination contraindicate abdominal wall prosthesis use?

BACKGROUND: Wound infection and sepsis leading to incisional hernia development are common after emergency colonic operations. Later on, while being operated on to correct an incisional hernia, most of these patients will need colonic resection or bowel continuity reestablishment. Simultaneous treatment of incisional hernias in patients with colostomy or colonic disease remains a difficult challenge, considering the reluctance of most surgeons to treat both conditions at the same time, especially when prosthetic repair is needed. STUDY DESIGN: The aim of this study was to analyze the short-term results of patients undergoing colonic resection or bowel continuity reestablishment and simultaneous incisional hernia repair with an onlay polypropylene mesh technique. Over a period of 6 years, 20 patients were operated on for colonic problems associated with incisional hernias, including 8 Hartmanns' colostomies, 6 colostomies or ileostomies with colonic mucous fistulas, 3 postoperative colocutaneous fistulas, a paracolostomic hernia, a Chagas' megacolon, and a pseudotumoral diverticulitis. A "rule of three" statistical analysis was used to estimate the maximum risk of adverse effects, concerning mesh-related morbidity, after 1- and 2-year followup. RESULTS: A major complication occurred in a patient who developed an anastomotic leakage and secondary wound infection; the patient was treated with parenteral nutrition and antibiotics. Other complications included a minor wound infection, a seroma, and a chronic sinus. One patient died from postoperative problems unrelated to the surgical technique. The occurrence of postoperative wound infection did not prevent mesh incorporation. Followup ranging from 1 to 7 years detected no hernia recurrences; 13 patients were followed for 2 years or more. Our results suggest that risk of mesh-related morbidity does not exceed 15.8% (3 of 19) within the first year and 23.1% (3 of 13) for 2 years followup, with 95% confidence. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that prosthetic repair of incisional hernias associated with simultaneous colonic operations was possible, allowing abdominal wall anatomy reestablishment. There is no reason to believe that abdominal wall prostheses must be avoided in contaminated operations when an adequate surgical technique is used.     

Incisional hernias in patients with aortic aneurysmal disease: the importance of suture technique.

OBJECTIVE: To study the rate of incisional hernia at 12 months in patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm repair compared with others undergoing other surgery through midline incisions. METHODS: A prospective study of 1023 patients, 85 of these with aneurysmal disease. Wounds were continuously closed and the suture technique was monitored by the suture length to wound length ratio. RESULTS: Wound incisions were longer and operations lasted longer in aneurysm patients than in others. Incisional hernia was less common if closure was with a suture length to wound length ratio of at least four. Wounds were closed with a ratio of four or more in 39% (33 of 85) of aneurysm patients and in 59% (546 of 923) of others (p < 0.01). In aneurysm patients no wound dehiscence was recorded, the rate of wound infection was low and incisional hernia occurred in the same amount as in others. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that the rate of incisional hernia is similar in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysmal disease and others. Wounds are closed with a less meticulous suture technique in aneurysm patients.     

腹壁疝补片修补术后补片感染14例分析

目的：探讨疝修补术后补片感染的原因、预防及治疗方法。方法回顾性分析1997年12月至2013年12月我院收治的14例使用补片修补腹壁疝术后补片感染的临床资料。其中腹股沟疝平片修补1例,腹股沟疝腹膜前间隙修补11例,切口疝1例,使用巴德Composix补片开放式腹腔内补片修补;造口疝1例,腹壁肌肉前置入补片修补。根据感染程度、材料不同采用相应的治疗方法,4例去除补片,10例开放换药。结果全组患者均治愈出院,无围手术期死亡。手术过程中无大出血和膀胱损伤。随访时间8～64个月,1例切口疝术后复发。结论产生补片感染的原因很多,预防感染最为重要。一旦发生补片感染,治疗方法应个体化,有效引流及合理运用抗生素可解决多数聚丙烯（PPM）补片感染,唯膨体聚四氟乙烯（ePTFE）补片需完全去除。     

应用人工材料行腹肌后筋膜前修补治疗切口疝80例

目的:总结应用人工材料修补腹壁切口疝的经验。方法:回顾分析我院以单丝编织聚丙烯网片修补的80例腹部切口疝的临床资料。结果:全组无围手术期死亡,1例术后24h内出现急性左心功能衰竭,经对症处理后治愈。全组无切口感染,无血肿形成;拔除引流管后皮下血肿形成1例,无窦道形成。平均住院(14.3±6.5)d。获随访者73例,无复发病例。结论:人工材料腹肌后筋膜前修补术是治疗腹壁切口疝的优良术式;对于疝环横径>10cm或疝内容物多、突出时间较长的巨大切口疝病人应予充分的术前准备。     

Laparoscopic incisional hernia mesh repair with the "double-crown" technique: a case-control study

BACKGROUND: Incisional hernia is a main complication of abdominal surgery. Laparoscopic hernia mesh repair has been demonstrated to be as effective as open repair. However, the mesh fixation method is, to date, a matter of debate, and there are few clinical studies evaluating a single technique. This was a case-control study to assess the "double-crown" fixation method. METHODS: From March 2000 to November 2005, we prospectively collected operative and outcome data on 94 laparoscopic mesh repairs of large incisional hernias performed by using the double-crown technique. The data were compared with those from a retrospective review of 87 matched open incisional hernia repairs done from January 1995 to January 2000. RESULTS: The open and laparoscopic repair groups were comparable in patient age, sex, and hernia size. Operative time was significantly longer in the laparoscopic group; the duration of hospitalization and number of early postoperative complications (e.g., wound infection and prolonged ileus) were significantly greater in the open group. Recurrence rate after a mean follow-up of 38 months (range, 12-72) was 2.1% in the laparoscopic group and 6.9% in the open repair group (mean follow-up, 8 years; range, 5-10) (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Medium-term results indicate that laparoscopic incisional hernia repair with the double-crown technique has a low complication rate and a comparable recurrence rate to open repair.     

Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair: an initial institutional experience

BACKGROUND: Ventral and incisional hernias remain a problem for surgeons with reported recurrence rates of 25-50% for open repairs. Laparoscopic approaches offer several theoretical advantages over open repairs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients undergoing a laparoscopic ventral hernia repair from April to December 2000 were prospectively entered in a database. Patients underwent repair with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene dual mesh. Full-thickness abdominal wall nonabsorbable sutures and 5-mm tacks were placed circumferentially. RESULTS: Of 32 patients, 15 underwent incisional repair, 13 had repair of a recurrent incisional hernia, and 4 had repair of a primary abdominal wall defect. Two procedures [2/32; 6.3%] were converted to open, one for loss of abdominal domain and one for neovascularization due to cirrhosis. There were two early recurrences [2/30; 6.7%]. Both of these failures occurred in patients with hernia defects extending to the inguinal ligament, preventing placement of full-thickness abdominal wall sutures inferiorly. Average operating time was 128 +/- 42 min (range 37-225 min). Average length of stay was 1.8 days [range 0-7 days]. There were no transfusion requirements or wound infections. One patient underwent a small bowel resection after completion of repair. One patient required drainage of a seroma 4 weeks after the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair can be safely performed with an acceptable early recurrence rate, operative time, length of stay, and morbidity. Securing the mesh with full-thickness abdominal wall sutures in at least four quadrants remains a key factor in preventing early recurrence.     

Review of technique for combined closed incisional hernia repair and panniculectomy status post-open bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: After open bariatric surgery, many patients develop incisional hernia. Patients who were once morbidly obese provide a unique challenge to hernia repair, given the larger nature of their fascial defects and the concomitant problem of extreme amounts of abdominal wall laxity. We reviewed a technique for surgical repair of incisional hernias combined with panniculectomy. METHODS: A retrospective review of 50 consecutive patients status post-open bariatric surgery who underwent incisional hernia repair with overlay mesh and combined panniculectomy between 2000 and 2003. RESULTS: Hernia repair and panniculectomy were performed 18 months after open bariatric surgery. The patients had an average weight loss of 58.6 kg. Mean follow-up after hernia repair and panniculectomy was 18 months. Patients underwent prefascial hernia repair with plication of the fascial edges followed by midline anchoring of overlay mesh. The averave amount of excess tissue excised via panniculectomy was 3,001 g. The average hospital stay was 4 days. Minor wound problems (eg, suture abscess, seroma) occurred in 20 patients. Seromas were treated with serial aspiration in the office. There were no intra-abdominal complications or recurrences of the incisional hernias. CONCLUSION: Closed hernia repair with prefascial plication and overlay mesh is a safe, effective alternative to traditional incisional hernia repair. It provides adequate hernia repair without recurrence and eliminates intra-abdominal complications. It is our belief that combining the hernia repair and panniculectomy minimizes the risk of hernia recurrence through alleviation of stress on the repair by removing excess abdominal wall tissue.     

Abdominal wall hernias after open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: prospective radiographic detection and clinical implications

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of radiographically detected abdominal wall defects (AWD) after open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair and to correlate it with prospectively gathered clinical information. Fine collimation, high-resolution, serial follow-up computed tomography (CT) scans for 99 patients in the control group of the Guidant Ancure device trial were reviewed. CT scans were obtained at 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months. AWDs, defined as discontinuity of the fascial layer with protrusion of abdominal contents, were identified. Clinical information regarding AWDs was retrieved from the study registry. The prevalence of AWD exceeds 20% and plateaus at 24 months. Eight patients (8%) had clinical evidence of ventral incisional hernias. One patient underwent repair, but no other patient developed hernia incarceration or intestinal obstruction or required additional procedures related to the AWD. AWDs are radiographic findings occurring frequently after open AAA repair. Radiographic evaluation is more sensitive than clinical observation for detection of ventral hernias. Clinical events and reinterventions related to these radiographic abnormalities are rare.     

Incisional hernia repair in Sweden 2002

Incisional hernia is a common problem after abdominal surgery. The complication and recurrence rates following the different repair techniques are a matter of great concern. Our aim was to study the results of incisional hernia repair in Sweden. A questionnaire was sent to all surgical departments in Sweden requesting data concerning incisional hernia repair performed during the year 2002. Eight hundred and sixty-nine incisional hernia repairs were reported from 40 hospitals. Specialist surgeons performed the repair in 782 (83.8%) patients. The incisional hernia was a recurrence in 148 (17.0%) patients. Thirty-three per cent of the hernias were subsequent to transverse, subcostal or muscle-splitting incisions or laparoscopic procedures. Suture repair was performed in 349 (40.2%) hernias. Onlay mesh repair was more common than a sublay technique. The rate of wound infection was 9.6% after suture repair and 8.1% after mesh repair. The recurrence rate was 29.1% with suture repair, 19.3% with onlay mesh repair, and 7.3% with sublay mesh repair. This survey revealed that there is room for improvement regarding the incisional hernia surgery in Sweden. Suture repair, with its unacceptable results, is common and mesh techniques employed may not be optimal. This study has led to the instigation of a national incisional hernia register.     

腹腔镜下腹壁切口疝修补术20例

目的 探讨腹腔镜治疗腹壁切口疝的安全性及有效性.方法 回顾性分析2009年6月至2011年9月20例腹壁切口疝患者的资料.其中男14例,女6例,年龄26 ～ 76岁,平均57.3岁.距离上次手术时间间隔为4～26个月,平均7个月.腹正中切口13例,侧腹部切口7例.有2例为缝合修补术后复发病例.结果 所有患者均采用复合补片进行修补,腹壁缺损大小4cmx5cm～ 10cm×13 cm.手术时间40～ 170 min,平均100 min.术后所有患者切口Ⅰ期愈合,术后补片上方疝囊内积液5例,经局部穿刺抽吸并加压包扎后治愈.术后修补区域腹壁疼痛1例,给予口服美洛昔康片对症处理,于术后3个月内逐渐消失.术后住院时间4～13d,平均7d.18例患者获得随访,随访6～30个月,平均15个月,1例复发.结论 腹腔镜下复合补片修补腹壁切口疝具有损伤小、术后疼痛轻、并发症少、恢复快等优点,值得推广.     

腹壁切口疝补片修补术后复发的再手术治疗

目的总结腹壁切口疝补片修补术后复发再次手术治疗的经验。方法回顾性分析我院2007年1月至2010年12月期间收治的16例腹壁切口疝补片修补术后复发再次手术患者的资料。结果所有患者均再次采用补片进行修补,其中13例除去旧补片置入新补片修补,2例新补片与原补片重叠并扩大范围修补,1例在原补片上直接重叠新补片修补。术后所有患者切口均Ⅰ期愈合,3例发生补片上方积液,经穿刺加压后治愈。术后住院时间7～16 d,平均9 d。术后引流管拔除时间2～7 d,平均4 d。所有患者均获随访,随访时间5～36个月,平均20个月,1例有轻微腹壁异物感,无修补区慢性疼痛,无疝复发。结论补片修补术后复发性切口疝再次手术时需综合考虑复发疝的位置以及既往选用的补片类型和修补方法,再次手术需选用合适的补片及修补方法方可取得满意效果。     

腹壁切口疝的外科治疗(附53例临床分析)

目的总结治疗腹壁切口疝的临床经验.方法对1994年4月～2002年8月53例腹壁切口疝患者在年龄、手术方法、引流放置,抗生素应用及预后进行回顾性分析.结果53例患者采用人工合成材料或直接缝合修补.术后切口积液3例,无切口感染.随访时间3月～5年,治愈46例,复发7例.结论腹壁切口疝是腹部手术后常见的并发症之一,尤其是老年患者.合理使用人工合成材料及直接缝合修补法适可以获得良好的治疗效果.     

Endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair to prevent rupture in a patient requiring lithotripsy

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for urolithiasis may result in rupture of a coexistent abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). We report a patient who required ESWL and who had an AAA. Open surgery was precluded by morbid obesity and persisting incisional hernias after mesh repair. Endovascular AAA repair (EVAR) with bifurcated grafts was precluded by an 11-mm distal aorta. EVAR with stacked tubular AneuRx components was performed, followed by ESWL. The AAA was excluded, and the integrity and position of the endografts were not altered by ESWL.