A simplified laparoscopic technique for mesh placement in ventral hernia repair

The use of a large synthetic mesh for laparoscopic repair of significant ventral abdominal wall defects may be accompanied by technical difficulties resulting from improper orientation and positioning of the mesh over the defect. We suggest a technique based on initial fixation of the mesh center to the central point of the defect, and subsequent centrifugal attachment of the mesh to the abdominal wall. This technique is advantageous because it leads to precise orientation and positioning of the synthetic patch and to significant reduction of the time needed for its reinforcement over and around the defect. Received: 25 September 1998/Accepted: 27 November 1998     

Intrathoracic omental herniation through the esophageal hiatus: Report of a case

(Received for publication on Dec. 8, 1997; accepted on July 7, 1998)     

Handlebar hernia with intra-abdominal extraluminal air presenting as a novel form of traumatic abdominal wall hernia: Report of a case

An 18-year-old male was admitted to our Emergency Department with a traumatic abdominal wall hernia (TAWH) of the left lower quadrant (LLQ) after suffering hypogastric blunt injury and urogenital lacerations in a motorcycle accident. Upright chest X-ray showed a small amount of right infradiaphragmatic free air, and a computed tomographic (CT) scan demonstrated an abdominal wall hernia. At surgery, no impairment was found in the digestive tract, and an abdominal herniorrhaphy was performed. It is suggested that the free air had passed through a connection between the scrotal laceration and the contralateral abdominal defect via the subcutaneous space and was palpated as emphysema. This is a new type of TAWH, which suggests that blunt abdominal trauma may result in negative pressure in the subcutaneous and peritoneal cavity, and this could reflect the pathophysiology of TAWH.     

疝环充填无张力疝修补术（附50例报道）

目的 观察疝环充填无张力疝修补术的临床应用效果。方法 疝囊做高位剥离而不做高位结扎,用美国Bard公司生产的锥形疝环充填 物充填内环,再用该公司生产的成型补片于精溃后方贴补腹肥肉沟管后壁,其它步骤同传统的手术方法。结果 本组50例,手术时间为30-770分钟,平均40分钟。随访1年效果良好,未见并发症。结论 疝环充填无张力疝修补术具有疼痛轻微、复发率低以及术后恢复快等优点。     

How often is extracorporeal membrane oxygenation needed in cases of congenital diaphragmatic hernia?

Some newborns with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and severe pulmonary hypertension cannot be saved by conventional treatment and may obtain some benefit from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a bridging measure until adequate hematosis is possible. Early prediction of the insufficiency of optimal assistance is still unclear; we reviewed our recent experience with CDH patients in an attempt to evaluate the real need for ECMO in our institution. Between 1987 and 1994, 47 newborns with CDH manifested in the first 24 h were treated with maximal ventilatory assistance (including high-frequency ventilation in 12 cases) and vasoactive drugs prior to surgical repair. In order to summarize the ventilatory and blood-gas parameters, we determined oxygenation index (OI) and ventilatory index (VI) and compared the results in survivors and nonsurvivors. Overall survival was 60% (2 cases of Fryns' syndrome were excluded from analysis). OI was 10.3±5.7 (mean ± SD) for survivors and 46.2 ± 37.8 for nonsurvivors (P < 0.01). VI was 460.9±303 and 1,532±500.6, respectively (P <0.01). Bayesian analysis and receiver operating characteristic curves enabled us to select a threshold value of OI of 20 as the best means of predicting survival in our current conditions (sensitivity: 0.7, specificity: 0.83). The generally accepted figure of 40 had a sensitivity of 1 but a specificity of only 0.44. For VI, the best threshold value was 1,100 (sensitivity: 0.93, specificity: 0.94), whereas the generally used figure of 1,000 had 0.89 and 1, respectively. According to our results, with our current management conditions, approximately 50% of our CDH patients might have obtained some benefit from ECMO.     

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia presenting after the newborn period

Late-presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is often difficult to diagnose and delay in treatment is common. Seven patients were operated beyond the newborn period for left-sided Bochdaleck hernia. Their age ranged from 1 month to 9 years. Six of them became symptomatic within the 1st year of life (1 week to 9 months of age). Either feeding difficulties or recurrent respiratory infections were initially present. In all of them chest X-rays were performed but delay in diagnosis ranged from 1 week to 5 years. All diaphragmatic defects could be closed by an abdominal approach without postoperative complications. Clinical symptoms disappeared postoperatively. In children with respiratory complaints or feeding difficulties one should be aware of late presenting CDH. A careful analysis of chest films and searching for connecting bowel segments passing through the diaphragmatic defect may help to avoid incorrect diagnosis and undesirable delay in treatment. Confusion with pneumonia or pneumothorax can be diminished by placing a feeding tube and instillation of contrast material. Ultrasound should be used supportively in all suspected diseases of the diaphragm.     

人工材料在腹壁切口疝修补术中的应用

目的 探讨人工材料聚丙烯补片在腹壁切口疝修补术中的应用及其疗效。方法 回顾性分析和总结5年来41例病人施行人工材料修复腹壁切口疝的临床资料。结果 本组38例病人得到随访。全组无复发病例，有2例病人术后发生切口感染并窦道形成，均经再次手术治愈。结论 人工材料对于腹壁切口疝的修补有良好的疗效．但应严格做好术中无菌操作和积极围手术期处理。     

Incarceration of umbilical hernias in children: a rare but important complication

Umbilical hernia (UH) is a common condition in infants and young children, especially in those of Afro-Caribbean origin. Spontaneous closure occurs in a majority of cases before the age of 4 years unless the neck of the sac is greater than 2 cm in diameter. Complications are rare, and conservative management is therefore advised during this time. We present three cases of incarcerated UH in boys under 4 years old, all of whom presented with small-bowel obstruction. Interestingly, in two of them undigested vegetable matter in the small bowel appeared to have precipitated the obstruction. A survey of the literature suggests that the incidence of this complication is approximately 1:1,500 UHs. We conclude that the present policy of expectant management is safe for the vast majority of children, but parents and general practitioners should be aware of the small risk and early symptoms of incarceration. Accepted: 30 September 1997     

前列腺增生症并发腹股沟疝的一期手术治疗

目的 探讨前列腺增生症并发腹股沟疝一期手术治疗的可行性。方法 对21例前列腺增生症合并腹股沟疝患者一期手术治疗的临床资料进行总结。结果 13例行经尿道前列腺汽化术(TUVP)，8例行开放前列腺切除术，均与腹股沟疝修补一期进行，取得满意效果。结论 前列腺增生症与腹股沟疝一期手术治疗具有可行性，可在临床推广。     

急性颅脑损伤脑疝51例临床分析

目的:探讨急性颅脑损伤脑疝的临床特点及各种影响预后的因素,以提高急性颅脑损伤脑疝的诊断和治疗水平,降 低其病死率.方法:对 2000～ 2003年收治的 51例急性颅脑损伤合并脑疝患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析.结果: 收治的急性颅脑损伤合并脑疝患者 51例通过手术或非手术治疗方法,死亡 33例,住院病人病死率高达 64.7%.主要 死亡原因:颅内血肿及脑挫裂伤后脑水肿引起的 ICP增高形成脑疝和原发性或继发性脑干伤;其次是各种严重的并 发症.结论:急性颅脑损伤引起脑疝伤残、病死率极高,其预后与 GCS计分、瞳孔变化、损伤类型、年龄大小、手术时 机及手术指征的掌握密切相关.