Anterior abdominal wall ‘peritoneal recess’: cause for pseudoherniation of small bowel resulting in chronic abdominal pain

A middle-aged patient presented with intermittent chronic abdominal pain without any obvious cause. Computed tomography detected a hernia (presumed to be the cause of the patient’s symptoms) without any obvious lump on examination. A laparoscopy was performed to repair the hernia. This revealed a left-sided unilateral ‘peritoneal recess’ at the level of the arcuate line extending medial to the linea semilunaris. No extraperitoneal sac or defect was noted in the rectus sheath or in the muscle, nor were any contents present in the recess at the time of the laparoscopy. We believe the bowel was being trapped intermittently in this space, causing the abdominal symptoms.     

腹膜前间隙疝修补术与常规疝环填充式修补术的临床效果对比分析

目的探讨腹膜前腹膜前间隙疝修补术与传统疝环填充式修补术的临床治疗效果的优缺点,以便指导临床实践。方法将我院2009年10月-2013年4月收治的84例腹股沟疝患者,按照随机对照原则分为试验组与对照组,试验组42例患者采取腹膜前间隙疝修补术的治疗方法,对照组42例患者采用疝环填充式修补术治疗方法,比较两组患者临床效果及不良反应。结果试验组的手术时间及患者疼痛时间明显低于对照组（P〈0.05）;试验组患者局部异物感的发生率及伤口麻木感的发生率均显著低于实验组（P〈0.01）。结论采用腹膜前间隙疝修补术治疗腹股沟疝的临床效果显著,而且不良反应小,值得临床推广。     

A rare case of a strangulated Littre’s hernia with Meckel’s diverticulum duplication. Case report and literature review

IntroductionThe Meckel’s diverticulum (MD) is the most common congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract present in approximately 1–4% of the population; the MD duplication is exceedingly rare with only a few reports of it. Here we present the firs case of a strangulated Littre’s hernia with MD duplication.Presentation of caseA 30-year-old male presented to the emergency room with clinical signs of small bowel obstruction, at physical examination, a right incarcerated inguinal hernia with erythema was found. We did a laparotomy, and two MD were found, one in the sac with ischemia, and the other 90 cm from the Bahuińs valve. A diverticulectomy of the ischemic diverticulum was done, and the other MD was left in place; the inguinal region was repaired with a Lichtenstein technique.DiscussionThe complications of the MD are 3–4 times more frequent in men, been an intestinal obstruction, hemorrhage, diverticulitis, ulceration, and perforation. A Littrés hernia is when the MD is found in the sac; this is seen in the inguinal region in 50% of the cases. The management of a Littre’s hernia is the resection of the MD; it could be done by an intestinal resection or by a diverticulectomy accordingly to the Park criteria.ConclusionAs to our knowledge, this is the first case of an incarcerated Littre’s hernia with duplication of a Meckel’s diverticulum.     

Traumatic lumbar visceral herniation in a young woman

INTRODUCTIONLumbar herniation is uncommon, with traumatic etiology being rare. Traumatic lumbar hernias are usually caused by seatbelt injury in motor vehicle accidents. It is exceedingly uncommon to see lumbar hernias in an unrestrained passenger of a motor vehicle accident.PRESENTATION OF CASEWe present a case of a traumatic inferior lumbar hernia in a young woman who was an unrestrained driver of a vehicle involved in a high-speed collision, with multiple rollover and ejection. CT scans of the abdomen and pelvis suggested soft tissue injury involving muscles in the left lower posterior flank with traumatic herniation of the colon and small bowel. Emergent midline abdominal laparotomy confirmed herniation in the left lower quadrant. After abdominal closure, in the prone position, an extensive laceration over the left flank also confirmed herniation. Due to its dirty nature, the wound was irrigated, lavaged and covered with wound vacuum-assisted closure placement. The decision was made in favor of delayed elective hernia repair.DISCUSSIONLumbar hernias are usually caused by sudden force to the abdomen, leading to increased intra-abdominal pressure. This pressure combined with areas of weakness in the superior and/or inferior triangle lead to herniation. Uncommonly, the contents of lumbar hernias can strangulate or incarcerate leading to bowel obstruction. This can often be prevented by detection with CT and laparotomy.CONCLUSIONLumbar herniation of traumatic etiology is rare. Early detection with CT and/or exploratory laparotomy is important to avoid increases in size of the defect and bowel strangulation and incarceration.     

Tension gastrothorax in late-onset congenital diaphragmatic hernia,a rare but life-threatening condition: A case report

Rationale:Tension gastrothorax is a serious condition that can cause acute respiratory failure, which is mostly related to congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) in pediatric cases. It is uncommon in late-onset CDH patients, and is difficult to diagnose due to atypical presentation. It is often misdiagnosed as tension pneumothorax or pleural effusion, leading to delayed treatment and potentially fatal outcome. In this study, we are reporting our experience of diagnosis and treatment of tension gastrothorax in a late-onset CDH patient.Patient concerns:A 2-year old boy presented to this hospital with severe dyspnea and abdominal pain that suddenly occurred while taking a bath.Diagnosis:Based on radiological findings we diagnosed tension gastrothorax.Interventions:Hernia reduction and diaphragmatic defect repair were performed under thoracotomy.Outcomes:After the operation, the patient''s clinical symptoms and imaging findings improved. At 1-year postoperative follow up, the patient was well with normal chest x-ray findings.Lessons:Tension gastrothorax in late-onset CDH is a life-threatening condition that requires rapid diagnosis and treatment. When the diagnosis is unclear by chest x-ray, chest computed tomography should be performed to confirm the diagnosis. A nasogastric tube should be inserted whenever possible for diagnosis and gastric decompression. Although laparotomy is the most preferred approach, we recommend that surgeons consider taking a thoracotomy approach in unstable patients that cannot undergo gastric decompression before operation.     

Incisional hernia after extreme lateral interbody fusion on the lumbar spine: A case report

IntroductionExtreme lateral interbody fusion is a minimally invasive lateral transpsoas approach for spine surgery. We herein report a case of an incisional hernia after an extreme lateral interbody fusion on the lumbar spine that was successfully treated by laparoscopic surgery with intraperitoneal onlay mesh repair.Presentation of caseA 78-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with a complaint of left abdominal bulge and pain. She had undergone an extreme lateral interbody fusion for a lumbar spinal canal stenosis from L1 to L4 a year prior. Abdominal computerized tomography showed a left lumbar incisional hernia, and laparoscopic surgery was performed. The hernia orifice was sutured closed and covered with mesh. The patient was discharged five days after the operation with no complications.DiscussionWhen performing XLIF for a spinal disorder, the muscles should be separated bluntly along their fibers to prevent muscle atrophy, and the incised fascia should be securely sutured closed. Abdominal wall incisional hernias can occur after spinal surgeries such as extreme lateral interbody fusion.ConclusionLaparoscopic repair for abdominal wall incisional hernia after spine surgery is safe and feasible.     

Influence of a New Monofilament Polyester Mesh on Inflammation and Matrix Remodeling

ABSTRACT

Synthetic mesh is widely used for hernia repairs, but mesh-induced chronic inflammatory responses may lead to postoperative complications. We previously showed an elevated response to multifilament polyester (PE) versus monofilament polypropylene (PP) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) meshes, but it is unclear whether this discrepancy is due to the differences in chemical composition or filament structure. This study compares the influence of a newly available monofilament PE mesh to that of multifilament PE, monofilament PP, and monofilament PTFE on the expression of genes important in inflammation and extracellular matrix remodeling in a rat model. Full thickness abdominal wall defects were corrected with onlay repair or suture repair with no mesh. Explants were harvested 7 or 90 days after repair and divided for histology and mRNA analyses using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction arrays to profile expression at the tissue-mesh interface. Monofilament PE elicited a reduced foreign body reaction compared to multifilament PE, corresponding with reduced mRNA expression of important inflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Unexpectedly, monofilament PE also resulted in markedly reduced mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor and MMPs 3 and 9 compared to the widely-used monofilament PP mesh. Findings from this study revealed that both chemical composition and filament structure are important mesh characteristics that may affect a patient's wound healing response and clinical outcome, and should be considered by the surgeon when choosing a particular mesh. Although clinical studies are warranted, results in a rodent model suggest that monofilament PE may be more beneficial than the multifilament form for certain hernia repairs.     

Variable role of patent ductus arteriosus

Although patent ductus arteriosus is essential in fetal life, interventions to close or minimize the adverse hemodynamic effects associated with the left-to-right shunt are often needed after birth, especially in extremely premature infants. However, there are clinical conditions where maintaining patency of the ductus is essential for survival. In this article we discuss use of prostaglandin E₁ in the management of congenital heart defects, pulmonary hypertension and left ventricular failure in early neonatal period.     

无张力疝修补术后疼痛的临床分析

目的探讨无张力疝修补术后慢性疼痛的产生原因。方法对我院近年行腹股沟疝无张力修补术后部分病例产生慢性痛疼的原因的临床资料回顾性分析。结果研究结果表明无张力疝气修补术后疼痛发生率为9.66%;372例首次疝患者疼痛发生率为4.30%,125例复发疝患者中疼痛发生率为25.6%,复发疝术后疼痛发生率明显高于首次疝(χ2=47.95,P=0.001);Ⅰ型疝、Ⅱ型疝、Ⅲ型疝、Ⅳ型疝发生率分别为5%,6.21%,13.93%和20%,随着疝气程度的增加疼痛发生率呈现明显上升趋势,各组间直接存在明显差异(χ2=17.10,P=0.001);174例采用局部浸润麻醉患者中疼痛发生率为17.82%;323例采用硬膜外麻醉患者疼痛发生率为5.26%,局部浸润麻醉术后疼痛发生率明显高于硬膜外麻醉(χ2=20.42,P=0.001);神经切断、未保护神经、神经暴露并保护组疼痛发生率分别为13.33%,16.34%,5.28%,各组之间比较存在显著统计学差异(χ2=14.99,P=0.001);多因素分析发现疝气复发(OR=1.429,95%CI:1.150~2.057)、Ⅳ型(OR=1.889,95%CI:1.247~2.900)、局部浸润麻醉(OR=1.586,95%CI:1.184~1.832)、术后未保护神经(OR=2.197,95%CI:1.110~4.349)为疝气术后发生疼痛的独立危险因素。结论疝气复发、疝气类型、麻醉方式、手术方式均对无张力疝气修补术后疼痛的发生具有重要影响,为减少术后疼痛的发生应针对不同的类型采取不同的手术和麻醉方式。