[Abdominal pain]. / Buikpijn.

Abdominal pain can be part of a variety of abdominal and non-abdominal conditions. Individual symptoms and signs from history taking and physical examination have limited discriminatory value for a clear diagnosis. Additional laboratory testing strategies and imaging techniques can provide more guidance in this respect. In this article, we will answer specific practical questions with respect to abdominal pain. Topics discussed include various abdominal conditions, diagnostic markers, the diagnostic value of imaging techniques and the most recent changes in the policies for the diagnosis of appendicitis, cholecystitis and diverticulitis.

Comparison of Two Versus Three Bilateral Botulinum Toxin Injections Prior to Abdominal Wall Reconstruction.

Background: Intramuscular injection of botulinum toxin A (BTA) induces a temporary muscle paralysis. In patients with a ventral hernia, preoperative injection of BTA in the muscles of the lateral abdominal wall (LAW) leads to thinning and lengthening of these muscles, making fascial closure more likely. In many hernia centres, treatment with BTA prior to abdominal wall reconstruction has therefore become standard care. However, evidence on the optimal BTA strategy is lacking. Methods: In this single-centre retrospective study, we analysed a consecutive cohort of ventral hernia patients that underwent bilateral BTA injections prior to abdominal wall reconstruction with available CT before and after BTA. We only included patients that were treated with exactly 600 units of Dysport®, diluted into 120 mL of saline, via either two- or three injections on each side into all three LAW muscle layers. The primary outcome was the change in LAW muscle length and thickness, comparing CT measures from before BTA and 4-6 weeks after the injections. Results: We analysed 67 patients; 30 had received two injections bilaterally and 37 had received three injections bilaterally. Baseline data showed no significant differences in LAW muscle thickness or length between groups. In both groups, the median LAW muscle thickness decreased with 0.5 cm (p < 0.001). The LAW muscle length increased with 0.9 cm (p = 0.001) and 1.2 cm (p < 0.001) in the two- and three bilateral injection group, respectively. The BTA-induced changes in LAW thickness and length were not significantly different between both groups (p = 0.809 and p = 0.654, respectively). Discussion: When using the exact same dosage and distribution volume of BTA in patients with a complex abdominal wall defect, two injections bilaterally in the lateral abdominal wall muscles are as effective as three injections bilaterally.

Clinical outcomes of open abdominal wall reconstruction with the use of a polypropylene reinforced tissue matrix: a multicenter retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess mesh behaviour and clinical outcomes of open complex abdominal wall reconstruction (CAWR) with the use of a polypropylene reinforced tissue matrix. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective study of adult patients who underwent open CAWR with the use of a permanent polypropylene reinforced tissue matrix (OviTex®) between June 2019 and January 2021. RESULTS: Fifty-five consecutive patients from four hospitals in the Netherlands were analysed; 46 patients with a ventral hernia and 9 patients with an open abdomen. Most patients with a ventral hernia had one or more complicating comorbidities (91.3%) and one or more complicating hernia characteristics (95.7%). Most procedures were performed in a (clean) contaminated surgical field (69.6% CDC 2-4; 41.3% CDC 3-4). All nine patients with an open abdomen underwent semi-emergent surgery. Twelve out of 46 patients with a ventral hernia (26.1%) and 4 of 9 patients with an open abdomen (44.4%) developed a postoperative surgical site infection that made direct contact with the mesh as confirmed on computed tomography (CT), suspicious of mesh infection. No patient needed mesh explantation for persistent infection of the mesh. During a median follow-up of 13 months, 4 of 46 ventral hernia patients (8.7%) developed a CT confirmed hernia recurrence. CONCLUSION: Polypropylene reinforced tissue matrix can withstand infectious complications and provides acceptable mid-term recurrence rates in this retrospective study on open complex abdominal wall reconstructions. Longer follow-up data from prospective studies are required to determine further risk of hernia recurrence.

Risk Factor-Driven Prehabilitation Prior to Abdominal Wall Reconstruction to Improve Postoperative Outcome. A Narrative Review.

All abdominal wall reconstructions find themselves on a scale, varying between simple to highly complex procedures. The level of complexity depends on many factors that are divided into patient comorbidities, hernia characteristics, and wound characteristics. Preoperative identification of modifiable risk factors provides the opportunity for patient optimization. Because this so called prehabilitation greatly improves postoperative outcome, reconstructive surgery should not be scheduled before all modifiable risk factors are optimized to a point where no further improvement can be expected. In this review, we discuss the importance of preoperative risk factor recognition, identify modifiable risk factors, and utilize options for patient prehabilitation, all aiming to improve postoperative outcome and therewith long-term success of the reconstruction.

[Botox preceding ventral hernia repair: it's not about esthetics]. / Botox voorafgaand aan littekenbreukcorrecties.

Ventral hernia is a common complication after laparotomy. The aim during ventral hernia repair is to close the abdomen through medialization of the rectus muscles. Particularly in patients with large ventral hernia, chronically retracted lateral muscles may preclude muscle medialization and therewith closure of the abdomen. A recent development in abdominal wall surgery is the injection of botulinum toxin (botox) in the lateral abdominal wall muscles a few weeks prior to surgery. These intramuscular injections cause a temporary partial paralysis resulting in elongation of the lateral muscles, compared to pre-botox contracted and retracted lateral muscles, and therewith facilitate closure of the abdomen. Despite positive first results only little is known about this new application of botox. In this article we discuss both the technical aspects as well as the current state of this new technique.

Bridging-to-Surgery in Patients with Type 2 Intestinal Failure.

AIM: Type 2 intestinal failure (IF) is characterized by the need for longer-term parenteral nutrition (PN). During this so-called bridging-to-surgery period, morbidity and mortality rates are high. This study aimed to evaluate to what extent a multidisciplinary IF team is capable to safely guide patients towards reconstructive surgery. METHODS: A consecutive series of patients with type 2 IF followed up by a specialized IF team between January 1st, 2011, and March 1st, 2016, was analyzed. Data on their first outpatient clinic visit (T1) and their last visit before reconstructive surgery (T2) was collected. The primary outcome was a combined endpoint of a patient being able to recover at home, have (partial) oral intake, and a normal albumin level (> 35 g/L) before surgery. RESULTS: Ninety-three patients were included. The median number of previous abdominal procedures was 4. At T2 (last visit prior to reconstructive surgery), significantly more patients met the combined primary endpoint compared with T1 (first IF team consultation) (66.7% vs. 28.0% (p < 0.0001), respectively); 86% had home PN. During "bridging-to-surgery," acute hospitalization rate was 40.9% and acute surgery was 4.3%. Postoperatively, 44.1% experienced a major complication, 5.4% had a fistula, and in-hospital mortality was 6.5%. Of the cohort, 86% regained enteral autonomy, and when excluding in-hospital mortality and incomplete follow-up, this was 94.1%. An albumin level < 35 g/L at T2 and weight loss of > 10% at T2 compared with preadmission weight were significant risk factors for major complications. CONCLUSION: Bridging-to-surgery of type 2 IF patients under the guidance of an IF team resulted in the majority of patients being managed at home, having oral intake, and restored albumin levels prior to reconstructive surgery compared with their first IF consultation.

Immediate Closure of Abdominal Cavity with Biologic Mesh versus Temporary Abdominal Closure of Open Abdomen in Non-Trauma Emergency Patients (CLOSE-UP Study).

Background: In more than 10% of emergency laparotomies in non-trauma patients, primary fascial closure is not achievable because of excessive visceral edema, which leaves the patient with an open abdomen (OA). An OA harbors an inherent high risk of serious complications, and temporary closure devices are used to achieve delayed fascial closure. A potential new strategy in preventing OA is immediate closure during the emergency procedure with a non-crosslinked biologic mesh. Methods: This is a prospective comparative cohort feasibility study in 13 teaching hospitals in the Netherlands. Non-trauma patients who underwent emergency laparotomy in which regular sutured primary fascial closure was not achievable because of excessive intra-abdominal edema were eligible. In one cohort, Biomesh (n = 20), the abdominal cavity was immediately closed at the emergency laparotomy with a non-crosslinked biologic mesh. In a parallel cohort, Control (n = 20), the resulting OA was managed by temporary abdominal closure (TAC; inlay polyglactin [Vicryl™] mesh [n = 7]) or commercial (ABTheraTM) abdominal negative pressure therapy device (n = 13)). The primary end point was the proportion of closed abdominal cavities at 90 days. Results: At 90 days, 65% (13/20) of the abdominal cavities were closed in the Biomesh cohort versus 45% (9/20) in Controls (p = 0.204). In the Biomesh cohort, seven of 20 (35%) patients had at least one major complication versus 15 of 20 (75%) patients in the Control cohort (p = 0.011). Both the median number of intensive care unit (ICU) and mechanical ventilation days were significantly lower in the Biomesh cohort; one versus 10 (p = 0.002) and 0 versus four (p = 0.003) days, respectively. The number of abdominal reoperations was significantly lower in the Biomesh cohort (median 0 vs. two, p < 0.001; total number five vs. 44). Conclusions: If primary fascial closure cannot be achieved at the emergency laparotomy in non-trauma patients, immediate abdominal closure by use of a non-crosslinked biologic mesh prevents OA management. This results in a non-significant higher proportion of closed abdominal cavities at 90 days compared with OA management with TAC techniques, and in a significant reduction of major complications and reoperations, and a shorter ICU stay.

[Abdominal pain]. / Buikpijn.

Abdominal pain Abdominal pain can be part of a variety of abdominal and non-abdominal conditions. Individual symptoms and signs from history taking and physical examination have limited discriminatory value for a clear diagnosis. Additional laboratory testing strategies and imaging techniques can provide more guidance in this respect. In this article, we will answer specific practical questions with respect to abdominal pain. Topics discussed include various abdominal conditions, diagnostic markers, the diagnostic value of imaging techniques and new treatments for irritable bowel syndrome.