Open inguinal hernia repair with self-gripping Parietex ProGrip mesh: a retrospective study of 204 cases.

Chronic pain and recurrence rates are the main challenge in modern inguinal hernia surgery. Several trials have investigated the role of self-adhesive mesh repair for inguinal hernia, with special attention to the incidence of chronic postoperative inguinal pain and recurrence. The purpose of our study was to retrospectively evaluate the early and long-term results using a self-gripping mesh (Parietex Progrip® , Covidien) in our institution. A total of 204 patients, mean age 50.3 standard deviation (SD) 15.3, was included in the study. The repair was performed under local anaesthesia in 159 (78%) cases and locoregional anaesthesia in remaining 45 (22%). Mean operative time was 39 ± 20 minutes. The time for self-gripping mesh placement ranged from 5 to 9 minutes (mean 7 ± 2 minutes). There were no intraoperative complications. Clinical follow-up was performed at 1 month, 1 year and 2 years and consisted in the evaluation of complications, discomfort/pain and recurrence. One case of cutaneous infection and three cases of seroma were observed at one-month follow-up and were all treated conservatively. 8 patients were lost at one year follow-up, and another 4 were lost at 2 years. 3 patients died for other causes during follow-up. At 1 year and 2 years follow-up no cases of seroma, testicular complications or mesh infection were observed. Two cases of recurrence were recorded at 2 years follow up. No patient reported VAS score > 2 at one month, 1 year and 2 years follow-up. There were no readmissions, systemic complications or death during 2 years follow-up. Lichtenstein open repair using Parietex Progrip® mesh is a simple, rapid, effective and safe method for inguinal hernia repair. The main advantage of self-fixing mesh is the reduced operative time. A suturless fixation seems to prevent the development of postoperative chronic pain, without increasing recurrence rate in the majority of the trials.

Thermal ablation combined with high ligation of sapheno-femoral junction for lower limb primary varicosity.

AIM: For long time the traditional surgical treatment for lower limb varicose veins has been high ligation of sapheno-femoral junction and stripping of great saphenous vein. Surgery, however, has been frustrated by postoperative pains, discomfort and recurrences so that it has been challenged by minimally invasive endovenous techniques such as laser treatment and radiofrequency ablation. The aim of the article is to assess the feasibility of a combined approach to greater saphenous vein reflux: high ligation of sapheno-femoral junction and thermal treatment of the great saphenous vein. METHODS: A retrospective analysis on 95 patients treated with high ligation and thermal ablation at our institution was performed, assessing duration of surgery, post-operative pain and analgesics requirements, early complications and resumption of activities. RESULTS: Two patients (5,4%), in the laser group experienced skin burns in the course of the GSV. Moderate ecchymosis, by laser fibre-Romainduced perforation of the vein wall, were observed in another two patients (5.4%). Four limbs (10.8%) in the EVLT group developed transient paraesthesias. Analgesic requirement on POD 3 was nil for RFA group; conversely half of the EVLT patients did take analgesics, either 2 or 3 tabs were required. On POD 7, the patients of RFA group continued to not ask for any analgesics, but the same half of the patients in EVLT group still needed 1-2 tabs to carry out their normal activities smoothly. On POD 15, no patient did require analgesics. Resumption of routine activities was earlier for RFA group patients than for those in the EVLT group. The RFA group resumed their activities within 3 days, whereas EVLT group in 8-9 days. High ligation of the SFJ didn't add too much time or morbidities. CONCLUSION: High ligation of saphenous femoral arc combined with catheter delivered thermal energies for saphenous ablation, even when combined with high ligation of saphenous femoral arc, demonstrated to be minimally invasive, easy to learn and easy to perform, with early resumption and return to normal activity. EVLT achieved similar results to RFA and both techniques were considered equally effective and safe; the results we obtained were not statistically significant but RFA showed less pain, ecchymosis and haematomas, as well as provided better short-term quality of life.

Utility of continuous intraoperative neural monitoring in thyroid surgery in a low volume centre.

This retrospective study, of a single surgeon's experience, evaluates the role of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) for total thyroidectomy, in a low-volume district general hospital. 128 patients with normal preoperative vocal fold function underwent thyroid surgery with routine use of nerve monitoring. Patients were followed for 6 months after surgery, and postoperative Romanerve function was determined by fiberoptic laryngoscopy. One (0,8%) patient was found to have a unilateral vocal fold paralysis, but after 6 months this patient had regained vocal fold motion. The technique of intraoperative neuromonitoring in thyroid surgery is safe and reliable in excluding postoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy; it has high accuracy, specificity, sensitivity and negative predictive value. Neuromonitoring is useful to identify the recurrent laryngeal nerve and it can be a useful adjunctive technique for reassuring surgeons of the functional integrity of the nerve. Its application can be particularly recommended for low-volume thyroid operation centres.

Can Longo stapled haemorrhoidopexy for haemorroids be a day-case procedure?

We retrospectively collected data of 100 consecutives elective Longo's procedures for third- and fourth-degree simptomatic haemorroids, classified ASA grade I and II. All patients stayed overnight, because discharge was scheduled the day after the operation. 98 were discharged the day after the operation. Two patients were not discharged the day after because mild and severe bleeding respectively occurred during the first night after the operation which settled conservatively. All the patients were discharged on oral NSAID and stool softeners. None required rehospitalisation. Our retrospective study, pointing out that, in general patients did not require active intervention on the first postoperative night, represents an encouragement to introduce day-case stapled procedure for haemorroids.

Amyand's hernia with acute phlegmonous appendicitis: case report.

Any inguinal hernia containing the vermiform appendix is called Amyand's hernia. Amyand hernias are very rare and even rarer is the association of Amyand hernia with acute appendicitis. Due to the rarity of this entity, it constitutes a challenging case in terms of diagnosis and treatment. The surgical management is not yet standardized and there are no clear guidelines. There are some controversies regarding whether to perform an appendectomy if appendix appears normal or whether mesh can be used for the hernia repair if appendectomy is performed. We describe a case of Amyand hernia in a 90-year old man with acute appendicitis and we review current literature regarding surgical strategy.