A prospective randomized study comparing suture mesh fixation versus tacker mesh fixation for laparoscopic repair of incisional and ventral hernias

Introduction  

After the first report of laparoscopic incisional and ventral hernia repair (LIVHR) in 1993, several studies have proven its efficacy over open method. Among the technical issues, the technique of mesh fixation to the abdominal wall is still an area of debate. This prospective randomized study was done to compare two techniques of mesh fixation, i.e., tacker with four corner transfascial sutures versus transfascial sutures alone.     

Hernia recurrence through a composite mesh secondary to transfascial suture holes

Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair is an accepted method for incisional hernia repair. Although techniques vary, transfascial suturing of the mesh to the abdominal wall has been proposed as a viable way to fixate the mesh and reduce recurrence rates. We report a 54-year-old woman who had previously undergone a laparoscopic ventral hernia repair following a laparoscopic tubal ligation using a Composix mesh. The patient presented with a symptomatic hernia recurrence. The computed tomography scan showed a periumbilical hernia containing fat. The patient underwent diagnostic laparoscopy and lysis of adhesions. During the lysis of adhesions, a recurrence through the previously placed composite mesh was encountered where holes had been made by the previously placed transfascial sutures. The hernia was reduced, mesh was removed, and an ePTFE mesh was used to repair the hernia. The mechanism of recurrence appeared to be improperly placed transfascial sutures; overly large bites of mesh caused excessive tension and ultimately a hole in the mesh. Hernia recurrence due to mesh or transfascial suture failure is rarely reported and most often caused by inadequate fixation. Our case highlights the need for meticulous placement of transfascial sutures and demonstrates a mechanism of recurrence due to inadequate placement.     

Prolonged abdominal wall pain caused by transfascial sutures used in the laparoscopic repair of incisional hernia

The use of transfascial sutures in the laparoscopic repair of incisional hernia has considerably facilitated the accurate intraperitoneal placement and fixation of the synthetic mesh. The laparoscopic procedure has a number of advantages, including less morbidity and pain. Moreover, the use of a mesh prosthesis results in a low rate of hernia recurrence. Despite the benefits associated with this technique, several (minor) complications have been documented. Herein we describe a case of prolonged abdominal wall pain after laparoscopic hernia mesh repair that was caused by the use of transfascial sutures.     

Mesh fixation in laparoscopic repair of ventral hernia: a new method

During laparoscopic repair of ventral hernia, optimal fixation of the prosthetic mesh to the abdominal wall includes transfascial fixation with sutures in addition to fixation with a stapling, clipping, or tacking device. With the current methods, intracorporeal passage grasping and retrieval of sutures from the abdominal cavity are technically difficult. The reason for this difficulty is the lack of three-dimensional visual feedback during conventional laparoscopy. An easier method is needed. A new method using T-shaped anchors (T-anchors) is described. A T-anchor is a horizontal bar made of rigid titanium that is attached to a vertical limb made of monofilament suture. T-anchors are deployed in pairs, through a needle, and are tied over a musculofascial bridge to achieve transfascial fixation of the mesh to the abdominal wall. This method eliminates the need for intracorporeal grasping and retrieval of the sutures.     

Simplified laparoscopic parastomal hernia repair: the scroll technique

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic parastomal hernia repair can be technically challenging. We herein present a simplified technique of laparoscopic parastomal hernia repair. METHODS: This technique entails fixation of the rolled mesh to the anterior abdominal wall before unfolding it, each side of the mesh is unfolded and fixed individually using transfascial sutures and tacks. RESULTS: This technique was used in 3 patients; The average time for mesh placement was about 30 minutes. The mean length of stay was 2 days. Apart from 1 patient who developed a transient postoperative seroma, there were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: This technique of mesh placement minimizes intracorporeal mesh manipulation, facilitates fixation of the mesh to the anterior abdominal wall, and provides adequate coverage to the hernia defect while hosting the colostomy without restriction.     

Fibrin glue for intraperitoneal laparoscopic mesh fixation: a comparative study in a swine model

Background  

The classic method of mesh fixation in laparoscopic ventral hernia repair is transfascial sutures with tacks. This method has been associated with low recurrence rates, but yields significant morbidity from pain and bleeding. Fibrin glue has been used successfully in inguinal hernia repair with decreased incidence of chronic pain without an increase in recurrence rates, but its utility for laparoscopic ventral hernia repair is unknown. Our aim is to evaluate the efficacy of fibrin glue for laparoscopic mesh fixation to the anterior abdominal wall compared with other fixation methods.     

“Suture hernia”: identification of a new type of hernia presenting as a recurrence after laparoscopic ventral hernia repair

After laparoscopic repair of ventral or incisional hernias, the recurrence rates reported are around 4%. Different mechanisms for the recurrences have been identified. We report two cases in which the patients were operated on laparoscopically for recurrence after laparoscopic ventral hernia repair. In both cases, the site of the recurrent hernia was situated at the transfascial fixation sutures. Patients were treated by laparoscopy with a larger intraperitoneal mesh covering the new hernia and the old mesh.     

Laparoscopic repair of abdominal ventral hernias

This paper presents the surgical technique for ventral abdominal hernia repair, including median incisional hernia, umbilical hernia and epigastric hernia. The main stages of the surgical procedure are as follows: pinpointing the parietal defect, insufflation of pneumoperitoneum and placing the trocars, inspection and adhesiolysis of the peritoneal cavity, closure of the defect with extracorporeal transparietal U reverse stitches, preparing the mesh, introducing the mesh in the peritoneal cavity and fixing it with transfascial sutures and tackers. Postop care measures, postop complications and controversies regarding mesh composition and fixation method are also discussed.     

复杂腹壁疝治疗相关要点

复杂腹壁疝是指巨大和(或)合并一系列并发症的腹壁疝,这些并发症均会影响治疗腹壁疝的方案和效果.针对不同类型复杂腹壁疝采用对应的个体化治疗措施防治并发症是合理可行的治疗方案.相关要点包括:巨大腹壁疝,术中借助组织分离技术扩大腹腔容积,部分病例需要切除内容物,行主动减容,术后监测腹压,防治腹腔间室综合征;多发腹壁疝,选择性...     

Small bowel lesion due to spiral tacks after laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh repair for incisional hernia

INTRODUCTIONLaparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh (IPOM) repair has become a widely accepted operative technique for incisional hernias. However, tack fixation poses the risk of adhesions and injury to the intestine. We report the case of spiral tacks adherent to the small bowel after IPOM repair for incisional hernia.PRESENTATION OF CASE64 years old male patient who underwent laparoscopic IPOM repair for incisional hernia 1 year after open sigmoid resection. A laminated polypropylene mesh was fixed with titanium spiral tacks. 4 years later, elective open cholecystectomy was performed. Two spiral tacks integrated in the seromusular layer of the small bowel were encountered. Tacks were removed and bowel lesions oversewn with interrupted seromuscular stitches.DISCUSSIONAccording to the current literature, complications related to metal spiral tacks in IPOM mesh repair such as intestinal perforation or strangulation ileus seem to be rare. To our knowledge, spiral tacks adherent to the intestine have not yet been published to date. Alternative techniques for mesh fixation are transfascial sutures with single stitches, continuous sutures or fibrin glue, as already used in TAPP and TEP procedures for inguinal hernia repair. The ideal and safest technique for mesh fixation in IPOM repair for incisional hernias remains controversial.CONCLUSIONSpiral tacks used for intraperitoneal mesh fixation can lead to adhesions and bowel lesions. Sutures, absorbable tacks or fibrin glue are alternatives for mesh fixation. Further clinical trials are needed to evaluate the safest technique of laparoscopic IPOM incisional hernia repair.     

Long-term outcomes with transfascial sutures versus tacks in laparoscopic ventral hernia repair: a review

Although most surgeons report using both transfascial sutures and laparoscopically placed tacks to secure prostheses in laparoscopic ventral hernia repair, a significant minority have reported large series in which sutures were omitted. A systematic review of the available literature was conducted for large case series and controlled trials documenting long-term follow-up. Forty-three articles were identified, including 6015 patients whose prostheses were secured with transfascial sutures (with or without tacks), and 2450 patients receiving tacks or staples alone. The mean follow-up time reported was 30.1 months. No significant difference was found in rates of hernia recurrence, mesh removal, prolonged postoperative pain, patient body mass index, or hernia defect size between the two groups. The suture group did experience a significantly higher rate of surgical site infection. Although suture tensile strength is greater than that of tacks, and despite numerous anecdotal reports of hernia recurrence secondary to suture failure or omission, the existing literature does not show superiority of one mesh fixation technique over the other for recurrence, whereas infection rates increase when transfascial suture is used.     

Mesh shrinkage and pain in laparoscopic ventral hernia repair: a randomized clinical trial comparing suture versus tack mesh fixation

Background  

Mesh fixation during laparoscopic ventral hernia repair can be performed using transfascial sutures or metal tacks. The aim of the present study is to compare mesh shrinkage and pain between two different techniques of mesh fixation in a prospective randomized trial.     

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??Value of laparoscopic operation in the treatment of complex ventral hernia YANG Shuo??CHEN Jie. Department of Hernia and Abdominal Wall Surgery, Chaoyang Hospital of Capital Medical University??Beijing 100043, China
Corresponding author??CHEN Jie??E-mail??chenjiejoe@sina.com
Abstract Complex ventral hernia is the ventral hernia which is huge and (or) combined with a lot of complications. The cases of complex ventral herniain should be classified and underwent therapy measures respectively. For the cases of huge ventral hernia, initiative volume reduction should be performed during operation; the intra-abdominal pressure should be detected after operation to prevent ACS (abdominal compartment syndrome); the laparoscopic technique should be used for the fixation of the mesh. For the multiple ventral hernia, IPOM (intraperitoneal onlay mesh technique) should be performed to repair hernia rings and occult hernia could be found by the laparoscope. For the irreducible and incarcerated hernia, hybrid technique (laparoscope combined with open surgery) with part-absorbable meshes should be performed to prevent the postoperative infection. For the recurrent ventral hernia, IPOM should be also performed and occult hernias were detected. For the cases of ventral hernia combined with infection and intestinal fistula, the debridement by open operation should be performed in order to remove infection; the part-absorbable meshes should be placed to repair the defects; the laparoscope should be performed to prevent the the accident injury; the antibiotics should be applied in perioperative period. For the ventral hernia located in specific positions (including marginal ventral hernia), the tacks and sutures fixation should be used to ease the difficulty level of mesh fixation.     

Full laparoscopic incisional hernia repair using a 2-port route technique

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The incidence of incisional hernia repair is increasing each year throughout the world. We created a full laparoscopic herniorrhaphy by means of an easy, reliable, and minimally invasive (two trocars) intraperitoneal onlay technique, using different sizes of a DualMesh (W. L. Gore & Associates; Flagstaff, AZ) with the soft side against the adherence material. METHODS: A group of patients with an incisional hernia and other ventral hernias underwent a laparoscopic herniorrhaphy using this technique. By combining simple extra- and endocorporeal manipulation, a mesh, prior to being inserted into peritoneal cavity through a trocar port was completed with four sutures between the corner of the mesh and the abdominal wall, so that when pulling the strands outside the abdomen, the furled intraperitoneal mesh being unfurled flat, was lifted from and overlapped the hernial defect at the top of the abdomen spontaneously and exactly. The mesh was anchored by nonabsorbable surtures and endo-Helical Fasteners. The sutures were either tied and the knots buried subcutaneously, or were eventually removed. RESULTS: It is by employing only two trocars applying this technique to a complete full laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay of different sizes of a DualMesh incisional and ventral hernia repair. The mesh overlapped all hernial margins nicely and was anchored firmly. Postoperative courses were uneventful, without any complications. During the longest follow-up period of 2 years and 1 month, there was no recurrent evidence of the hernia in this group. CONCLUSIONS: This technique, which applies to almost every laparoscopic ventral hernia repair procedure for use against an adherence mesh, can help to carry out an ideal, easy, and quick orientation and intraperitoneal anchoring of the mesh.     

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.     

Polyester-based mesh for ventral hernia repair: is it safe?

Introduction

The ideal prosthetic material for ventral hernia repair has yet to be described. Each prosthetic material has unique advantages and disadvantages in terms of tissue ingrowth, adhesion formation, and shrinkage profiles. Polyester-based mesh has shown minimal shrinkage and excellent tissue ingrowth in animal models. However, the macroporous, braided nature of this material has raised several concerns regarding the incidence of infections, fistulas, and bowel obstructions. We have reviewed our experience with polyester-based mesh for the repair of ventral hernias.

Methods

All patients undergoing ventral hernia repair at the Case Comprehensive Hernia Center at University Hospitals of Cleveland from December 2005 to April 2008 were included. Laparoscopic cases underwent intraperitoneal placement of a polyester-based mesh with a collagen hydrogel anti-adhesive barrier. The mesh was sized for at least 4 cm of fascial overlap, and transfascial fixation sutures and titanium spiral tacks were used routinely to secure the mesh to the abdominal wall. Those cases deemed inappropriate for laparoscopic ventral hernia repair underwent open repair. Open ventral hernia repairs were performed using a retrorectus repair, placing the mesh in an extraperitoneal position. Unprotected polyester mesh was used in these cases. Pertinent data included patient demographics, surgical details, postoperative outcomes, and long-term follow-up evaluation.

Results

During the study period 109 patients underwent ventral hernia repair with polyester mesh. Seventy-nine patients had a laparoscopic repair, and 30 patients had an open repair. The mean age was 57 years, with a mean body mass index of 33 kg/m², and American Society of Anesthesia score of 2.6. The patients had undergone 2.1 prior abdominal surgical procedures, and 42 patients had recurrent hernias. Surgical details for the laparoscopic repair and open repair were as follows: mean defect size, 116 versus 403 cm²; mesh size, 367 versus 1,055 cm²; and surgical times, 132 versus 170 minutes, respectively. The average hospital stay was 4.2 days for the laparoscopic repair and 5.8 days for the open repair groups. With a mean follow-up period of 14 months (range, 2-28 mo) in the laparoscopic repair group, 1 patient (1.4%) developed a mesh infection (with a history of a prior methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus mesh infection), 1 patient (1.4%) developed a small-bowel obstruction remote to the mesh on re-exploration, and there were no fistulas. With a mean follow-up period of 11 months (range, 2-21 mo) in the open repair group, 3 wound infections (13%) occurred, 2 involved the mesh, which was salvaged with local wound care in 1, and required partial mesh resection in the other, and there were no bowel obstructions or fistulas during the follow-up evaluation.

Conclusions

This study shows that in this complex group of patients, polyester mesh placed during ventral hernia repair results in acceptable infection rates, and no direct bowel complications or fistulas. Given the macroporous nature of the mesh, each case of infection was treated successfully with local wound measures or partial mesh resection. Polyester-based meshes with an anti-adhesive barrier appear safe for intraperitoneal placement.     

Strength of tissue attachment to mesh after ventral hernia repair with synthetic composite mesh in a porcine model

Background A prospective animal study involving 12 female swine aimed to measure the strength of tissue attachment to composite mesh at various time points after laparoscopic ventral hernia repair in a porcine model. Methods Each animal had two 10 × 16-cm sheets of polypropylene/expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) composite mesh laparoscopically affixed to the abdominal wall with a helical tacking device. No transfascial sutures were used. The animals were euthanized 2, 4, 6, and 12 weeks after surgery, and abdominal walls were resected en bloc with the patches. Each patch was cut into 2 × 7-cm strips, and each strip was independently analyzed. The strength of the tissue attachment to the mesh was measured using a servohydraulic tensile testing frame. The abdominal wall was peeled from the mesh, and the transverse, or “lap-shear” force was recorded. Data are reported as mean force in pounds. Results The mean lap-shear force was 0.83 ± 0.06 lbs at 2 weeks, 1.06 ± 0.07 lbs at 4 weeks, 0.88 ± 0.08 lbs at 6 weeks, and 1.13 ± 0.07 lbs at 12 weeks. The mean force was higher at 12 weeks than at 2 weeks (p < 0.05). No other periods were significantly different from any other. Conclusions The findings demonstrate that the majority of tissue ingrowth and strength has occurred by 2 weeks after laparoscopic placement of a composite hernia prosthesis. Strength very gradually increases until 12 weeks after surgery. This has clinical implications for human ventral hernia repair. Further study is needed to evaluate the necessity of transfascial sutures for securing polypropylene-based prostheses to the abdominal wall during ventral hernia repair. Presented at the 85th Annual Meeting of the New England Surgical Society, 2 October 2004, Montreal, Quebec, Canada     

腹腔镜手术治疗复杂腹壁疝价值探讨

复杂腹壁疝是巨大和（或）合并一系列并发症的腹壁疝。临床应对复杂腹壁疝进行分类并分别采用相应的腹腔镜治疗策略。对于巨大腹壁疝,术中应主动减容,腹腔镜固定,术后监测腹压,防治腹腔间室综合征;对于复发和多发腹壁疝,采用腹腔镜探查避免漏诊隐匿疝,同时腹腔内修补多发疝环;对于难复性或嵌顿性腹壁疝,腹腔镜联合开放术式处理疝内容物,应用部分可吸收材料修补,防治术后感染;对于合并感染、肠瘘的腹壁疝,先用腹腔镜探查,然后开放清创去除感染灶,应用部分可吸收材料修补缺损,围手术期应用抗生素;对于特殊位置的腹壁疝（包括边缘腹壁疝）,采用腹腔镜联合吊线缝合的方式降低固定补片的难度。     

Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair: is there an optimal mesh fixation technique? A systematic review

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to distinguish the optimal mesh fixation technique used in laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR). A particular fixation technique of the mesh to the abdominal wall is required, which should be strong enough to prevent migration of the mesh and, at the same time, keep injury to the abdominal wall minimal to prevent postoperative discomfort and pain.

Methods

An extensive literature search was performed in the PubMed database from its onset until November 2012. All series of at least 30 patients operated by laparoscopy for a ventral hernia, with the use of a standardized surgical technique well-defined in the “Methods” section, and with a follow-up of at least 12 months were included. The series were categorized according to the technique of mesh fixation described: “tacks and sutures,” “tacks only,” and “sutures only.” For each treatment group, the recurrence rate was adjusted to the number of patients treated and the 95 % confidence interval was calculated. No overlap between two intervals was defined as a significant difference in recurrence rate.

Results

A total of 25 series were included for statistical evaluation. Thirteen trials used both tacks and sutures, ten used only tacks, and two used only sutures. Overall recurrence rate was 2.7 % (95 % CI [1.9–3.4 %]).

Conclusion

None of the currently available mesh fixation techniques used for LVHR was found to be superior in preventing hernia recurrence as well as in reducing abdominal wall pain. The pain reported was remarkably high with all different fixation devices. Further research to develop solid and atraumatic fixation devices is warranted.     

Tensile strength of mesh fixation methods in laparoscopic incisional hernia repair

Background: Fixation of the mesh is crucial for the successful laparoscopic repair of incisional hernias. In the present experimental study, we used a pig model to compare the tensile strengths of mesh fixation with helical titanium coils (tackers) and transabdominal wall sutures. Methods: Thirty-six full-thickness specimens (5 × 7 cm) of the anterior abdominal wall of nine pig cadavers were randomized for fixation of a polypropylene mesh (7 × 7 cm) by either tackers or transabdominal wall sutures. The number of fixation points varied from one to five per 7-cm tissue length, with distances between fixation points of 2.3, 1.8, 1.4, and 1.2 cm, respectively. The force required to disrupt the mesh fixation (tensile strength) was measured by a dynamometer. Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon test and the Spearman rank correlation test. Results: The mean tensile strength of mesh fixation by transabdominal sutures was significantly greater than that by tackers for each number of fixation points: 67 N vs 28 N for a single fixation point (p <0.001), 115 N vs 42 N for two fixation points (p <0.001), 150 N vs 63 N for three fixation points (p <0.05), 151 N vs 73 N for four fixation points (p <0.05), and 150 N vs 82 N for five fixation points (p <0.05). Increasing the number of fixation points over three per 7 cm (distance between fixation points of 1.8 cm) did not improve tensile strength. Conclusion: The tensile strength of transabdominal sutures is up to 2.5 times greater than the tensile strength of tackers. Therefore, the use of transabdominal sutures for mesh fixation appears to be preferable for laparoscopic incisional hernia repair.