Groin hernia repair in young males: mesh or sutured repair?

Background  

Large-scale data for the optimal inguinal hernia repair in younger men with an indirect hernia is not available. We analysed nationwide data for risk of reoperation in younger men after a primary repair using a Lichtenstein operation or a conventional non-mesh hernia repair.     

Will endovascular repair replace open surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate of the impact of endovascular aneurysm repair on the rate of open surgical repair and on the overall treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). METHODS: All patients with AAA who were treated during two consecutive 40-month periods were reviewed. During the first period, only open surgical repair was performed; during the subsequent 40 months, endovascular repair and open surgical repair were treatment options. RESULTS: A total of 727 patients with AAA were treated during the entire period. During the initial 40 months, 268 patients were treated with open surgical repair, including 216 infrarenal (81%), 43 complex (16%), and 9 ruptured (3%) aortic aneurysms. During the subsequent 40 months, 459 patients with AAA were treated (71% increase). There was no significant change in the number of patients undergoing open surgical repair and no significant difference in the rate of infrarenal (238 [77%]) and complex (51 [16%]) repairs. A total of 353 patients were referred for endovascular repair. Of these, 190 (54%) were considered candidates for endovascular repair based on computed tomography or arteriographic morphologic criteria. Analyzing a subgroup of 123 patients, the most common primary reasons for ineligibility for endovascular repair were related to morphology of the neck in 80 patients (65%) and of the iliac arteries in 35 patients (28%). A total of 149 patients underwent endovascular repair. Of these, the procedure was successful in 147 (99%), and 2 (1%) patients underwent surgical conversion. The hospital death rate was 0%, and the 30-day death rate was 1%. During a follow-up period of 1 to 39 months (mean 12 +/- 9), 21 secondary procedures to treat endoleak (20) or to maintain graft limb patency (1) were performed in 17 patients (11%). There were no aneurysm ruptures or aneurysm-related deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular repair appears to have augmented treatment options rather than replaced open surgical repair for patients with AAA. Patients who previously were not candidates for repair because of medical comorbidity may now be safely treated with endovascular repair.     

Progress of peripheral nerve repair

Study on repair of peripheral nerve injury has been proceeding over a long period of time.With the use of microsurgery technique since 1960s, the quality of nerve repair has been greatly improved.In the past 40 years,with the continuous increase of surgical repair methods,more progress has been made on the basic research of peripheral nerve repair.     

Is laparoscopic umbilical hernia repair with mesh a reasonable alternative to conventional repair?

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic mesh repair has been advocated as treatment of choice for ventral hernias. The term "ventral hernia" refers to a variety of abdominal wall defects and laparoscopic papers have not reported defect specific analysis. The purpose of this study was to determine any advantages to laparoscopic mesh repair of umbilical hernias. METHODS: A retrospective review (January 1998 to April 2001) was made of patients undergoing umbilical hernia repair. Patients were categorized into three groups: laparoscopic repair with mesh, open repair with mesh, and open repair without mesh. Comparative analysis was performed. RESULTS: One-hundred and sixteen umbilical hernia repairs were performed in 112 patients: 30 laparoscopic mesh repairs, 20 open mesh repairs, and 66 open nonmesh repairs. The laparoscopic technique was used for larger defects and took more time with a trend toward fewer postoperative complications and recurrences. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic umbilical hernia repair with mesh presents a reasonable alternative to conventional methods of repair.     

Which mesh for hernia repair?

INTRODUCTION

The concept of using a mesh to repair hernias was introduced over 50 years ago. Mesh repair is now standard in most countries and widely accepted as superior to primary suture repair. As a result, there has been a rapid growth in the variety of meshes available and choosing the appropriate one can be difficult. This article outlines the general properties of meshes and factors to be considered when selecting one.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a search of the medical literature from 1950 to 1 May 2009, as indexed by Medline, using the PubMed search engine (<http://www.pubmed.gov>). To capture all potentially relevant articles with the highest degree of sensitivity, the search terms were intentionally broad. We used the following terms: ‘mesh, pore size, strength, recurrence, complications, lightweight, properties’. We also hand-searched the bibliographies of relevant articles and product literature to identify additional pertinent reports.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

The most important properties of meshes were found to be the type of filament, tensile strength and porosity. These determine the weight of the mesh and its biocompatibility. The tensile strength required is much less than originally presumed and light-weight meshes are thought to be superior due to their increased flexibility and reduction in discomfort. Large pores are also associated with a reduced risk of infection and shrinkage. For meshes placed in the peritoneal cavity, consideration should also be given to the risk of adhesion formation. A variety of composite meshes have been promoted to address this, but none appears superior to the others. Finally, biomaterials such as acellular dermis have a place for use in infected fields but have yet to prove their worth in routine hernia repair.     

Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair: are there comparative advantages over traditional methods of repair?

Recent studies have noted advantages of laparoscopic over open repair of ventral hernias. Because few reports have involved comparison with traditional repair we report a comparison between laparoscopic and open approaches. We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients undergoing ventral hernia repair over a 28-month period. Patients were grouped into three categories: laparoscopic repair with mesh, open repair with mesh, and open repair without mesh. There were 295 ventral hernia repairs and there was no difference in age, gender, operative complications, or hospital stay between the groups. Mesh and defect size was greater in the laparoscopic group. The overall postoperative complication rate was greater in the open group with mesh. Yet when specific wound complications were analyzed there was no difference between the groups. Furthermore a death occurred in the laparoscopic group from an unrecognized bowel injury. The recurrence rate was greatest in the open repair without mesh group. Finally hospital cost was greatest in the laparoscopic group and third-party reimbursement was better for the open techniques. We were unable to demonstrate a significant advantage to laparoscopic ventral hernia repair. Although many patients with large fascial defects were well served with this approach it may not be a better option for these patients.     

Distal hypospadias: which repair?

OBJECTIVE: To compare the function, complications and cosmesis after a modified Thiersch-Duplay and Mathieu unstented urethroplasty. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Over a 5-year period 381 consecutive patients (not randomized) with distal hypospadias were evaluated. A modified Thiersch-Duplay with dorsal incised urethral plate tubularization (group A) was undertaken in 170 (45%) and a parameatal based flip-flap Mathieu hypospadias repair (group B) in 211 (55%). No urinary diversion or stent was used in any of the 381 patients. RESULTS: In both groups the mean (sd) follow-up was 3.1 (1.4) years. All 381 patients voided spontaneously after surgery and none developed urinary retention needing catheterization. In groups A and B, respectively, the overall late complications were 12 (7.1%) and 32 (15.2%) (P=0.001), with urethrocutaneous fistula in six (3.5%) and 26 (12.3%; P=0.001); secondary surgery for fistula repair was successful in all boys in A and 89% in B. The glanular meatus was a vertical slit in all in group A and 86% in B (P=0.02). In both groups, 71% of the children who are now toilet-trained and standing to void have a good calibre, single and straight urinary stream in a forward direction. CONCLUSIONS: Stenting or urinary diversion is unnecessary after distal hypospadias surgery. The functional results were good in those standing to void. A more natural vertical slit-like glanular meatus was easily created using the modified Thiersch-Duplay urethroplasty, with a lower fistula rate.     

Delayed repair for blunt thoracic aortic injury: is it really equivalent to early repair?

BACKGROUND: Blunt thoracic aortic injury (BTAI) is a severe injury that traditionally has mandated immediate surgical repair. Delaying operative intervention for BTAI can allow other life-threatening injuries to be managed first, but potentially increases the risk of aortic rupture and death. The objective of this study was to evaluate the outcome of delayed repair (DR) compared with early repair (ER) for BTAI and to assess the effectiveness of a protocol for medical control of systolic blood pressure and heart rate in those patients whose repairs were delayed. METHODS: This study is a retrospective review of University of Michigan Health System (UMHS) data from January 1, 1992, through March 1, 2003. ER was defined as operative repair within 16 hours from the time of injury. A similar analysis was conducted for patients with BTAI selected from the National Trauma Data Bank. RESULTS: For the UMHS data, there were 45 patients in the DR group and 33 patients in the ER group. Mortality in the ER group versus the DR group was 9% versus 20%. Multivariate analysis adjusting for age, Injury Severity Score, abdominal Abbreviated Injury Scale score, Glasgow Coma Scale score, and intubation status demonstrated an odds ratio for death from ER compared with DR of 1.72 (p = 0.57). Patients undergoing DR had an absolute increase in hospital length of stay (33.1 vs. 20.9 days) and complication rate (2.1 vs. 1.5 incidents per patient). A similar result was obtained for multivariate analysis of the National Trauma Data Bank data, with an odds ratio of 1.40 (p = 0.51) for death from ER versus DR. UMHS patients whose repairs were delayed achieved target systolic blood pressure and heart rate for 76% and 74% of the hourly measurements recorded, respectively. CONCLUSION: Patients with BTAI can safely undergo delayed aortic repair if other injuries warrant a higher treatment priority without increasing their overall risk of mortality. Delayed repair is, however, associated with a higher complication rate.     

Inguinal hernias: should we repair?

This review examines available data concerning the natural history of treated and untreated inguinal hernias. The incidence of complications with either treatment strategy is discussed using historical information from a time before herniorrhaphy became routine and contemporary data from two recently completed randomized controlled trials comparing routine repair using a tension-free technique with watchful waiting.     

Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair: Does primary repair in addition to placement of mesh decrease recurrence?

Background  

The advent of laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR) not only reduced the morbidity associated with open repair but also led to a decrease in the hernia recurrence rate. However, the rate continues to remain significant.     

Transthoracic repair of Morgagni’s hernia

Background Foramen of Morgagni’s hernia is an uncommon congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Repair is mostly performed through laparotomy. We prefer the transthoracic approach, which allows better and safer control during thoracic dissection, although it is considered more painful and related to greater morbidity. In recent years we introduced the transxiphoid hand-assisted videothoracoscopic approach, which combines the advantages of the thoracic route with a mini-invasive procedure facilitated by one hand inside the chest. Methods A retrospective review was performed over a 20-year period (1985–2005). Twenty-two patients who had a foramen of Morgagni’s hernia repaired were identified and relevant data were collected. Average age was 57 ± 10 years and one half of the patients were asymptomatic. Chest roentgenograms, chest computerized tomography, and barium enema were used as diagnostic utilities. Posterolateral thoracotomy was performed in 17 (15 right-sided) patients, whereas in 5 (all right-sided) the defect was repaired by transxiphoid hand-assisted videothoracoscopy. Operative time, pain scored by visual analog scale, hospital stay, and cosmetic results by acceptance score were reviewed for every patient. Results Hernial sac was present in all cases and contained only omentum (n = 13), omentum plus transverse colon (n = 7), omentum plus transverse colon and small bowel (n = 2). In 6 patients (2 videothoracoscopy) we repaired the large defects with polypropylene mesh. Videothoracoscopy achieved significant good results compared to thoracotomy in operative time (85 ± 7.9 versus 110 ± 11.3 min, p < 0.01), 24-h visual analog scale (3.5 ± 1.1 versus 6.7 ± 3.9, p < 0.01), hospital stay (2.6 ± 0.5 versus 6.4 ± 1.2 days, p < 0.01), and acceptance score (4.3 ± 0.5 versus 3.1 ± 0.8, p < 0.05). Postoperative course was always uneventful. Patients were followed for an average period of 58.6 ± 14.7 and 109.7 ± 43.5 months, respectively: no recurrences were found in any group. Conclusions We believe that the transthoracic approach is a safe and effective method for repairing Morgagni’s hernia. The videothoracoscopic approach is a promising alternative and it may be facilitated by introducing a hand inside the chest. This study has been carried out within the Research Fellowship Program Dottorato di Ricerca in Tecnologie e Terapie Avanzate in Chirurgia, appointed by Tor Vergata University and was supported in part by the Ministry of Health (60%)     

Rectocele repair: when and how?

Pelvic organ prolapse repair poses a unique challenge to the reconstructive pelvic surgeon. Traditional levator plication has been promoted for the past century and has recently been shown to create unsatisfactory functional results, among them dyspareunia. In an attempt to improve both functional and quality-of-life outcomes, new methods for posterior vaginal wall defect repair have been developed and are now undergoing critical evaluation. We present a review of posterior vaginal wall repair with a focus on new anatomic concepts and site-specific rectocele repair.     

Do recurrences after paraesophageal hernia repair matter?

Background The recurrence rate for paraesophageal hernias (PEH) can be as high as 30% following laparoscopic repair. The aim of this study was to determine the severity of symptoms in patients with recurrences and the need for reoperation 10 years after surgery. Methods and Procedures Consecutive laparoscopic paraesophageal cases performed at a single institution between 1993 and 1996 were identified from the institution’s foregut database. Patients were asked about the presence and severity of symptoms (heartburn, chest pain, regurgitation, and dysphagia). Patients were also asked whether they had (1) been diagnosed with hernia recurrence or (2) undergone repeat surgical intervention. Results Complete follow-up was obtainable in 31 of the total of 52 patients (60%). The proportion of patients reporting moderate/severe symptoms was less at 10 years than preoperatively: heartburn 12% versus 54% (p < 0.001), chest pain 9% versus 36% (p = 0.01), regurgitation 6% versus 50% (p < 0.001), and dysphagia 3% versus 30% (p = 0.001). Two patients underwent repeat surgical intervention for symptomatic recurrences within the first postoperative year. Eight more patients have been diagnosed with hernia recurrences on either contrast esophagram or upper endoscopy but had not required reoperation. At ten years, more patients with hernia recurrence had heartburn than those who did not have recurrences (60% versus 14%; p < 0.05). Conclusions Despite a hiatal hernia recurrence rate of 32% 10 years after surgery, laparoscopic PEH was a successful procedure in the majority of patients; most remained symptomatically improved and required no further intervention 10 years after surgery.