Simultaneous mesh repair of bilateral groin hernia: A comparison of laparoscopic and open techniques

Summary

The optimal management of bilateral groin hernia remains contentious. We report a prospective study of all patients undergoing simultaneous mesh repair of bilateral groin hernia during a 1 year period at a single institution. Cases managed by open surgery were compared with those undergoing laparoscopic repair; duration of hospital stay and complication rate were the main end-points. 51 patients were studied; 18 had open surgery and 33 had a laparoscopic procedure. The patients in the laparoscopic group had a shorter hospital stay (median saving of 2.5 nights). Postoperative complications (predominantly haematoma, infection and urinary retention) were more common in the open surgery group (p < 0.01). There were no recurrences over the study period. In summary, laparoscopic repair was associated with a shorter hospital stay and lower postoperative complication rate when compared with conventional open surgery. We would commend this procedure as the operation of choice for the management of bilateral groin hernia.     

Post-laparoscopic mesh in post-menopausal umbilical hernia repair: A case series

Abstract

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of the use of a composite PTFE/polypropylene patch, Ventralex (Davol Inc., C.R. Bard, Inc., RI, USA), to repair, concurrent with laparoscopy, umbilical hernia in 51 postmenopausal women. After laparoscopy, patients were submitted to the hernia repair by a patch intraperitoneally placed behind the hernia. Primary outcomes included complication rates, while hernia recurrence was the secondary outcome. Patient age range was 58 ± 4.3 years, the size of patches was small in 17.6% of women, medium in 68.7% and large in 13.7%. Seventy-six percent of patients had an ASA I–II score, the mean operating time for hernia repair was 7 ± 2 minutes with 15 cc of related blood loss, with 1.8 days of hospital stay. The visual analogue scale was 0–3 for 62.7%, 4–6 for 27.5% and 7–10 for 9.8% of women. All laparoscopic and umbilical hernia repair terminated without any further intra or postoperative complications, with 36 months of follow-up; none of the patients showed recurrences. Combining laparoscopy and intraperitoneal mesh repair appears to be indicated for umbilical hernia treatment in post-menopausal patients undergoing laparoscopy, resulting in a safe and easy procedure, with short hospital stay and fast dismissal, with no major morbidity or recurrence.     

Laparoscopic repair of voluminous symptomatic hiatal hernia using absorbable synthetic mesh

Introduction: Hiatal hernia is a common disorder and a controversial topic. In symptomatic voluminous hernias laparoscopic surgery and use of mesh can be considered. An initial experience in voluminous hiatal hernia laparoscopic repair using absorbable glycolic acid/trimethylene carbonate synthetic mesh is reported. Material and methods: Retrospective study from an institutional database was performed to analyze laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair using absorbable synthetic mesh from January 2010 to December 2013. All preoperative symptoms and exams were collected and a standardized procedure was performed. Clinical and radiological follow-up was performed. Results: Eight patients underwent laparoscopic repair of hiatal hernia performed by two highly skilled laparoscopic surgeons. One Toupet and seven Nissen fundoplications were tailored. No conversions into laparotomy, neither intraoperative complications nor mortality occurred. After a median follow-up of 23.5 months (range 14 - 44) no mesh complications occurred and all patients are asymptomatic. Two radiological recurrences (25%) were detected. Conclusions: Voluminous symptomatic hiatal hernias can be successfully treated in a high-volume and long-term experienced laparoscopic surgical center by the use of an absorbable synthetic mesh. Further studies and a longer-term follow-up are necessary to confirm this preliminary report.     

Technical report: Combined laparoscopic cholecystectomy and umbilical hernia repair

Summary

Symptomatic gallstones are commonly associated with other surgically correctable conditions. We present 14 patients suffering from a non-incarcerated umbilical hernia and cholelithiasis. All underwent a combined laparoscopic cholecystectomy and umbilical hernia repair through the incision made to insert the umbilical trocar.     

Multifactor study of efficacy and recurrence in laparoscopic surgery for inguinal hernia

BACKGROUNDInguinal hernia is a common clinical manifestation in children with a low self-healing rate. AIMTo determine the effect of laparoscopic surgery on indirect inguinal hernia and the risk factors for postoperative recurrence and to provide a reference for the clinical treatment and prevention of recurrence.METHODSWe selected 360 children who underwent laparoscopic high ligation in our hospital as the laparoscopic group and 120 patients treated for inguinal hernia with conventional surgery as the control group. The operation time, blood loss, incision length, hospitalization time, total hospitalization cost and surgical complications were compared between the two groups. According to telephone follow-up or return visits, the children who had recurrence within 2 years after the operation in the laparoscopic group were analyzed, and the laparoscopic high ligation hernia sac level was analyzed by the logistic multifactor method. Ligation was used to treat recurrence in children with inguinal hernia.RESULTSThe operation time, blood loss, length of incision, and length of hospital stay in the laparoscopic group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The total hospitalization cost in the laparoscopic group was higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The operative complication rate was 1.67% lower than that in the control group (12.50%) (P < 0.05). In 360 children with laparoscopic high ligation of the hernia sac, 14 patients had recurrence within 2 years after surgery. After analysis, 14 cases in the recurrence group did not recur. The preoperative incarceration rate, inner ring diameter, ligature use and age difference were statistically significant (P < 0.05). According to logistic regression multivariate analysis, an inner ring diameter ≥ 1.0 cm, the use of an absorbable ligature line and age > 3 years increased the risk of postoperative recurrence in children with inguinal hernia after laparoscopic high ligation of the hernia sac (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONLaparoscopic surgery for indirect inguinal hernia in children has the advantages of low trauma and a rapid postoperative recovery. An inner ring diameter ≥ 1.0 cm, the use of absorbable ligature, and age > 3 years may increase the risk of recurrence after laparoscopic high ligation of the hernia sac.     

Comparative outcomes of elderly patients undergoing Altemeier procedure versus laparoscopic rectopexy for rectal prolapse

Introduction: We compared outcomes of elderly patients (>70 years) who underwent the Altemeier procedure versus laparoscopic rectopexy for full‐thickness rectal prolapse. Materials and Methods: We reviewed our data from a prospective database and the medical records of patients treated at a single institution from 2002 to 2008. Patients who underwent surgery for full‐thickness rectal prolapse were evaluated. Results: Sixteen patients underwent laparoscopic rectopexy (median age 82 years; ASA 2.6), and 16 patients underwent the Altemeier procedure (median age 85 years; ASA 2.8). The Altemeier procedure patients had a significantly higher recurrence rate when compared to laparoscopic rectopexy patients (P<0.045). The mean length of follow‐up was longer for the Altemeier group (20 months) compared to the laparoscopic rectopexy group (28.5 months; most recurrence (5/6) occurred <1 year. The median length of specimen removed in the Altmeier group was 9.5 cm (6.5–18.5 cm). The majority of patients in both groups had preoperative fecal incontinence. Significantly more Altemeier patients reported worsening perioperative fecal incontinence at 1–3 months (p<0.046). All laparoscopic rectopexy patients underwent general anesthesia while 44% of the Altemeier patients underwent regional anesthesia (p<0.003). One laparoscopic rectopexy patient required reoperation for an incarcerated trocar site hernia. No other major complications occurred in either group. There was no difference in rates of minor complications. Discussion: Compared to the Altemeier procedure, laparoscopic rectopexy for elderly patients with rectal prolapse resulted in a significantly smaller recurrence rate, better perioperative fecal incontinence and an equivalent morbidity rate.     

Single‐port endo‐laparoscopic surgery in combined abdominal procedures

Single‐port endo‐laparoscopic surgery has gained support in the surgical community because it is perceived to offer a better postoperative outcome as it requires only a single incision. We write this prospective observational study to ascertain the feasibility and safety of this technique in patients otherwise requiring two operations. Five patients who underwent double procedures with a single‐port device were reviewed: Case 1, a transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair and gastric wedge resection; Case 2, cholecystectomy and diaphragmatic hernia repair; Case 3, oophorectomy and incisional hernia repair; Case 4, anterior resection of the rectum and hepatic segmentectomy; and Case 5, left adrenalectomy and cholecystectomy. Patient demographics, type of port used, operative time, complications and incision length were collected. Mean operative time for the cases ranged from 100 to 315 min. Incision length for the single‐port device was 2 cm. In Case 2, an additional 5‐mm port was used and an intraoperative complication involving a laceration of the liver occurred during the suturing of the gallbladder fundus. An additional 8‐cm lower abdominal incision (Pfannenstiel) was required in Case 4 to complete the colonic anastomosis and for specimen retrieval. Single‐port endo‐laparoscopic surgery is a feasible and safe technique for approaching double procedures. It drastically reduces the number of scars that a double procedure creates, and if difficulty arises, another port can always be added to ease the operation. It can also potentially reduce the number of admissions and anesthesia that a patient undergoes.     

Post-operative rehabilitation following laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair

Summary

In a pilot study, 100 patients undergoing laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair and 20 patients undergoing open inguinal hernia repair have been compared. The time taken to regain full mobility following laparoscopic repair was 2.3 ± 0.1 d (mean ± SE) compared with 7.2 ± 0.9 d after open repair (P < 0.003). Following laparoscopic repair patients returned to work after 7.6 ± 0.6d compared with 21.2 ± 1.5d after open repair (P < 0.0001). Hospital stay was shorter following laparoscopic hernia repair. Operating time was longer in the laparoscopic group (64 ± 3.0 min, [mean ± SE]) compared with the open group (24 ± 1.2 min, P > 0.0001) but diminished with increasing experience. Studies of the patients' subjective experience of pain failed to show a significant difference post-operatively, both groups of patients claiming low pain scores.     

Association Between Preoperative Blood Glucose Level and Hospital Length of Stay for Patients Undergoing Appendectomy or Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of preoperative blood glucose (POBG) level on hospital length of stay (LOS) in patients undergoing appendectomy or laparoscopic cholecystectomy.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients aged ≥18 years who had undergone appendectomy or laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedures between 2005 and 2016 at a tertiary medical center in Taiwan. The association between POBG level and LOS was evaluated using a multivariable quasi-Poisson regression with robust variance. Multiple imputations were performed to replace missing values.RESULTSWe included 8,291 patients; 4,025 patients underwent appendectomy (appendectomy group) and 4,266 underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (laparoscopic cholecystectomy group). In the appendectomy group, patients with POBG levels of ≥123 mg/dL (adjusted relative risk [aRR] 1.19; 95% CI 1.06–1.33) had a 19% higher risk of having a LOS of >3 days than did those with POBG levels of <106 mg/dL. In the laparoscopic cholecystectomy group, patients with POBG levels of ≥128 mg/dL also had a significantly higher risk of having a LOS of >3 days (aRR 1.17; 95% CI 1.07–1.29) than did those with POBG levels of <102 mg/dL. A positive dose–response curve between POBG and an adjusted risk of a LOS of >3 days was observed, although the curve starts to flatten at a POBG level of ∼130 mg/dL.CONCLUSIONSWe demonstrated that a higher POBG level was significantly associated with a prolonged LOS for patients undergoing appendectomy or laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The optimal POBG level may be lower than that commonly perceived.     

Complications of laparoscopy and thoracoscopy

Laparoscopy was first performed at the turn of the century, but it was not until the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy that the procedure became widely adopted by general surgeons. Since then, traditional open procedures, including cholecystectomy, exploratory laparotomy, colectomy, hernia repair, and appendectomy, are being widely performed laparoscopically. The advantages of laparoscopic surgery, including less postoperative pain due to smaller surgical incisions, shorter hospital stay, quicker return to preoperative activity, and superior cosmesis, resulted in widespread popularity with both surgeons and patients. In certain situations, the traditional method may be superior to the laparoscopic approach, as may be the case with laparoscopic hernia repair. It is difficult to justify converting a local, extraperitoneal, 45-minute, outpatient inguinal hernia repair in a virgin groin into a general anesthetic, transperitoneal, 2-hour plus, possibly inpatient laparoscopic procedure with the implantation of mesh. However, data may indicate that this operation does indeed have benefits. We must, therefore, carefully study such new operations. With the advent of a new surgical procedure, both surgeons and anesthesiologists must be familiar with the various complications unique to this technique. If recognized early, potentially life-threatening complications, including gas embolization and tension pneumothorax, can be corrected.     

Long-term clinical experience with laparoscopic ventral hernia repair using a ParietexTM composite mesh in severely obese and non-severe obese patients: a single center cohort study

Abstract

Background: The treatment of incisional and ventral hernias is associated with significant complications and recurrences, especially in severely obese patients. Recent studies have shown a reduced rate of surgical site infections and length of hospital stay in severely obese patients undergoing a laparoscopic ventral hernia repair.

Aim: This study aims to describe the clinical experience in terms of efficacy and safety with laparoscopic ventral hernia repair using the ParietexTM Composite mesh (Covidien Sofradim Production, Trevoux, France) in severely obese patients (body mass index ≥35) compared with non-severe obese patients in a seven-year single-center cohort.

Material and methods: All patients with a primary ventral or incisional hernia admitted to our hospital from 2006 until December 2012 who underwent a laparoscopic repair with the Parietex Composite mesh were included in this study. Pain scores using a numeric rating were collected prospectively 24–48?hours postoperatively. Patient data were retrospectively collected.

Results: A total number of 210 patients were included; 173 with a BMI <35 and 37 with a BMI ≥35. Mean follow-up was 31 months. No statistically significant differences were found with regard to operation time, hospital stay, use of analgesics and postoperative complications. The long-term follow up recurrence rate in non-severely obese patients was 13% compared to 16% in severely obese patients (p?=?.60).

Conclusion: Laparoscopic ventral and incisional hernia repair using the Parietex Composite mesh is feasible and safe in severely obese patients compared to non-severely obese patients.     

The role of ERCP and laparoscopic cholecystectomy in gallstone-related pancreatitis

Summary

Laparoscopic surgery has become the routine for elective cholecystectomy, but its place in the management of gallstone-related pancreatitis has not yet been identified. We prospectively assessed a minimally invasive treatment regime for gallstone pancreatitis combining endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and laparoscopic cholecystectomy, over a 24 month period. Twenty-two patients were found to have gallstone pancreatitis. The mean age was 52 ± 18 years. All patients presented with abdominal pain. Five were jaundiced. The Ranson score severity of pancreatitis averaged 1.6 (range 0–6). Our management protocol was to perform ERCP when clinical and biochemical markers had settled, followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy during the same admission. The time interval between presentation and ERCP was 8.9d (range 2–15d), ERCP to surgery was 4.5d (range 2–35d) and surgery to discharge was 4d (range 1–21 d). The median hospital stay was 16d. ERCP showed stones in the common bile duct in five patients, four of whom had them removed at ERCP. Twenty patients underwent laparoscopy. The gallbladder was removed in 18 and two required conversion (one pseudocyst, one cystic artery bleed). Two patients had elective open cholecystectomy (one pseudocyst, one previous surgery). Only one patient developed a post-operative complication (pseudocyst). The majority of patients had multiple small stones in their gallbladder and it was not possible to predict the presence of common bile duct stones prior to ERCP. No patient developed post-operative pancreatitis. There was no mortality. This study shows that combined ERCP and laparoscopic cholecystectomy is an efficient and safe minimally invasive management for gallstone pancreatitis.     

生物补片修补食管裂孔疝的效果:1年随访

背景:尽管腹腔镜食管裂孔疝修补已取得良好的治疗效果,但对术中是否应该使用生物补片仍存在争议。目的:分析生物补片修补腹腔镜食管裂孔疝的效果。方法:回顾性分析2006-11/2009-06在复旦大学附属华山医院实施手术的57例食管裂孔疝患者临床资料,其中单纯膈肌脚缝合+Nissen胃底折叠24例(对照组),单纯膈肌脚缝合+Nissen胃底折叠同时行补片加强33例(实验组)。对比分析使用补片和未使用补片的治疗结果。结果与结论:术后随访1年,实验组与对照组术后复发率、患者满意度、症状控制情况差异均无显著性意义(P>0.05)。与对照组比较,实验组术中、术后并发症并未增加,同时手术时间及住院时间也未明显延长(P>0.05)。短期随访结果说明补片加强修补食管裂孔疝是安全、有效的,但应严格掌握适应证。     

Application of near-infrared fluorescent cholangiography using indocyanine green in laparoscopic cholecystectomy

ObjectiveNear-infrared fluorescence cholangiography (NIRF-C) can help to identify the bile duct during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This retrospective study was performed to investigate the effect of NIRF-C in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.MethodsConsecutive patients who underwent NIRF-C-assisted laparoscopic cholecystectomy (n = 34) or conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (n = 36) were enrolled in this study. Identification of biliary structures, the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative complications were analyzed.ResultsLaparoscopic cholecystectomy was completed in all patients without conversion to laparotomy. The median operation time and intraoperative blood loss were not significantly different between the two groups. No intraoperative injuries or postoperative complications occurred in either group. In the NIRF-C group, the visualization rate of the cystic duct, common bile duct, and common hepatic duct prior to dissection was 91%, 79%, and 53%, respectively. The success rate of cholangiography was 100% in the NIRF-C group. NIRF-C was more effective for visualizing biliary structures in patients with a BMI of <25 than >25 kg/m².ConclusionsNIRF-C is a safe and effective technique that enables real-time identification of the biliary anatomy during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. NIRF-C helps to improve the efficiency of dissection.     

Early vs late cholecystectomy in mild gall stone pancreatitis: An updated meta-analysis and review of literature

BACKGROUNDGallstone pancreatitis is one of the most common causes of acute pancreatitis. Cholecystectomy remains the definitive treatment of choice to prevent recurrence. The rate of early cholecystectomies during index admission remains low due to perceived increased risk of complications. AIMTo compare outcomes including length of stay, duration of surgery, biliary complications, conversion to open cholecystectomy, intra-operative, and post-operative complications between patients who undergo cholecystectomy during index admission as compared to those who undergo cholecystectomy thereafter. METHODSStatistical Method: Pooled proportions were calculated using both Mantel-Haenszel method (fixed effects model) and DerSimonian Laird method (random effects model). RESULTSInitial search identified 163 reference articles, of which 45 were selected and reviewed. Eighteen studies (n = 2651) that met the inclusion criteria were included in this analysis. Median age of patients in the late group was 43.8 years while that in the early group was 43.6. Pooled analysis showed late laparoscopic cholecystectomy group was associated with an increased length of stay by 88.96 h (95%CI: 86.31 to 91.62) as compared to early cholecystectomy group. Pooled risk difference for biliary complications was higher by 10.76% (95%CI: 8.51 to 13.01) in the late cholecystectomy group as compared to the early cholecystectomy group. Pooled analysis showed no risk difference in intraoperative complications [risk difference: 0.41%, (95%CI: -1.58 to 0.75)], postoperative complications [risk difference: 0.60%, (95%CI: -2.21 to 1.00)], or conversion to open cholecystectomy [risk difference: 1.42%, (95%CI: -0.35 to 3.21)] between early and late cholecystectomy groups. Pooled analysis showed the duration of surgery to be prolonged by 39.11 min (95%CI: 37.44 to 40.77) in the late cholecystectomy group as compared to the early group.CONCLUSIONIn patients with mild gallstone pancreatitis early cholecystectomy leads to shorter hospital stay, shorter duration of surgery, while decreasing the risk of biliary complications. Rate of intraoperative, post-operative complications and chances of conversion to open cholecystectomy do not significantly differ whether cholecystectomy was performed early or late.     

Laparoscopic management of adhesive acute postoperative small bowel obstruction

Laparoscopic management of postoperative acute adhesive small bowel obstruction (SBO) may often have clinical advantages. This prospective study included patients with postoperative acute SBO in whom sufficient intestinal decompression was achieved using a nasoenteric ileus tube preoperatively, but pass disorder was not improved. This study describes our experience with the laparoscopic procedure for patients with adhesive acute SBO. The laparoscopic approach was undertaken in 24 of 51 patients admitted for acute postoperative SBO from July 1994 through June 2000; it was performed successfully in 20 patients (83%), and four cases were converted to open surgery (17%) because of strong adhesions. In four patients with gallstones and inguinal hernia, laparoscopic surgery (cholecystectomy, hernioplasty) was performed simultaneously. There was no mortality and low morbidity (4.1%). The group of patients treated laparoscopically had a shorter hospital stay than the conventional open group (12 versus 21 days; p < 0.05). At the median follow-up of 84 months, 21 of the 22 patients who had received laparoscopic procedure remained asymptomatic. Laparoscopic treatment was effective, involved a shorter hospital stay and has shown good long-term results for most patients with adhesive acute SBO.     

Comparison between anatomical polyester (Parietex) mesh and polypropylene (Prolene) mesh with fixation in total extraperitoneal repair for inguinal hernia

Introduction: Laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery has been gaining in worldwide popularity, with the total extraperitoneal (TEP) repair gaining greater acceptance than the transabdominal pre‐peritoneal repair. Most techniques using TEP advocate some form of fixation of the prosthesis, but newer meshes avoid the use of fixation. Methods: We compared the use of the polyester mesh (Parietex; Tyco, Princeton, USA) without fixation and polypropylene (Prolene; Ethicon, USA) mesh with fixation using either ProTack (Tyco, USA) or EndoAnchor (Ethicon, Cincinnati, USA) in a consecutive series of patients who underwent total TEP endoscopic inguinal hernia repair. Results: Of 127 patients who underwent TEP repairs, 60 had Parietex mesh while 67 had Prolene mesh with fixation. The mean age was 50 years old and 97% were men. There was no difference in patient demographics or complication rate. The most common complication was small seroma or hematoma formation in 14% of patients and none required re‐operation. There was no hernia recurrence in either group with a mean follow‐up period of 13 months. Conclusion: This study shows that in laparoscopic TEP inguinal hernia repair, early results indicate comparable results between the use of polyester (Parietex) mesh without fixation and polypropylene (Prolene) mesh with fixation.     

Laparoscopic orchidopexy with transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair in an adult

We report an adult who underwent laparoscopic orchidopexy and transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair. The patient was a 53‐year‐old man who was referred to our hospital for a bulge and pain in his left inguinal area. An abdominal CT scan revealed that the greater omentum was incarcerated in a left inguinal hernia. The patient underwent emergency laparoscopic surgery immediately. After reduction, he was diagnosed with bilateral cryptorchidism and inguinal hernia. After adequate mobilization, pneumoperitoneum was discontinued, and orchidopexy was performed with the Lichtenstein tension‐free hernioplasty. One month later, the patient underwent elective laparoscopic orchidopexy with transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair on his right side. The patient's postoperative course has been uneventful, with no evidence of hernia recurrence to date. This procedure is safe and may be an option for adult patients who desire testis preservation. This may be the first report of laparoscopic hernia repair with orchidopexy.     

腹腔镜经腹腔腹膜前网片疝修补术和开放疝修补术的随机对照研究

目的 通过一项随机临床试验对腹腔镜经腹腔腹膜前网片疝修补术（TAPP）和开放式疝修补术进行比较.方法 将101例腹股沟疝病人随机分成腹腔镜组（n=51）及开放手术组（n=50）,分别行TAPP和开放无张力疝修补术（Lichtenstein修补）,术后对病人进行随访,比较2组病人的相关参数.结果 腹腔镜组病人的手术时间比开放组长（P＜0.05）.2组术中并发症率无差异.术后1周的腹腔镜组的并发症率较开放组高（P＜0.05）.腹腔镜组病人的住院时间、恢复工作的时间比开放组短（P＜0.05）.术后1年,腹腔镜组病人发生慢性疼痛的比率与开放组相比差异无显著性（P＞0.05）.结论 TAPP治疗腹股沟疝是可行的、安全的,且在术后恢复方面较开放无张力修补更有优势.