Impact of parastomal hernia on colostomy costs at 1 year: Secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial (STOMAMESH).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Parastomal hernia (PSH) is a common complication after the creation of a colostomy, with a prevalence of approximately 50%. Despite the high frequency, little is known how PSH affects the cost of colostomy care.The hypothesis in this study was that PSH increases the cost of colostomy care compared with not having a PSH. METHODS: Two groups with (N = 61) and without (n = 147) PSH were compared regarding costs of stoma appliances and visits. The population from a large randomized trial comparing construction of colostomy with or without prophylactic mesh (STOMAMESH) was used and cross-matched with health economic data from the National Pharmaceutical Register, 1 year after initial surgery. RESULTS: Patients with and without a PSH were similar in basic demographic data. No difference in cost of stoma appliances (with PSH 2668.3 EUR versus no PSH 2724.5 EUR, p = 0.938) or number of visits to a stoma therapist (p = 0.987) was seen, regardless of the presence or not of a PSH. CONCLUSIONS: PSH appears not to affect costs due to colostomy appliances or the need to visit a stoma therapist, in the first year. The lesson to be learnt is that PSHs are not a driver for costs. Other factors may be determinants of the cost of a colostomy, including manufacturers' price and persuasion, means of procurement, and presence of guidelines.

Variation of ventral and incisional hernia repairs in kidney transplant recipients.

INTRODUCTION: As survivorship following kidney transplant continues to improve, so does the probability of intervening on common surgical conditions, such as ventral or incisional hernia, in this population. Ventral hernia management is known to vary across institutions and this variation has an impact on patient outcomes. We sought to evaluate hospital level variation of ventral or incisional hernia repair (VIHR) in the kidney transplant population. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 100% inpatient Medicare claims to identify patients who underwent kidney transplant between 2007 and 2018. The primary outcome was 1- and 3-year ventral or incisional risk- and reliability-adjusted VIHR rates. Patient and hospital characteristics were evaluated across risk- and reliability-adjusted VIHR rate tertiles. Models were adjusted for age, sex, race, and Elixhauser comorbidities. RESULTS: Overall, 139,741 patients underwent kidney transplant during the study period with a mean age (SD) of 51.6 (13.7) years. 84,717 (60.6%) were male, and 72,657 (52.0%) were white. Median follow up time was 5.4 years. 2098 (1.50%) patients underwent VIHR. the 1 year risk- and reliability-adjusted hernia repair rates were 0.49% (95% Conf idence Interval (CI) 0.48-0.51, range 0.31-0.59) in tertile 1, 0.63% (95% CI 0.62-0.63, range 0.59-0.68) in tertile 2, and 0.98 (95% CI 0.91-1.05, range 0.68-2.94) in tertile 3. Accordingly, compared to hospitals in tertile 1, the odds of post-transplant hernia repair tertile 2 hospitals were 1.78 (95% CI 1.37-2.31) and at tertile 3 hospitals 3.53 (95% CI 2.87-4.33). CONCLUSIONS: In a large cohort of Medicare patients undergoing kidney transplant, the overall cumulative incidence of hernia repair varied substantially across hospital tertiles. Patient and hospital characteristics varied across tertile, most notably in diabetes and obesity. Future research is needed to understand if program and surgeon level factors are contributing to the observed variation in treatment of this common disease.

Trends in Surgical Technique and Outcomes of Ventral Hernia Repair in The United States.

OBJECTIVE: To describe national trends in surgical technique and rates of reoperation for recurrence for patients undergoing ventral hernia repair (VHR) in the United States. BACKGROUND: Surgical options for VHR, including minimally invasive approaches, mesh implantation, and myofascial release, have expanded considerably over the past 2 decades. Their dissemination and impact on population-level outcomes is not well characterized. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of Medicare beneficiaries undergoing elective, inpatient umbilical, ventral, or incisional hernia repair between 2007 and 2015. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the adjusted proportion of patients who remained free from reoperation for hernia recurrence up to 5 years after surgery. RESULTS: One hundred fort-one thousand two hundred sixty-one patients underwent VHR during the study period. Between 2007 and 2018, the use of minimally invasive surgery increased from 2.1% to 22.2%, mesh use increased from 63.2% to 72.5%, and myofascial release increased from 1.8% to 16.3%. Overall, the 5-year incidence of reoperation for recurrence was 14.1% [95% confidence interval (CI) 14.0%-14.1%]. Over time, patients were more likely to remain free from reoperation for hernia recurrence 5 years after surgery [2007-2009 reoperation-free survival: 84.9% (95% CI 84.8%-84.9%); 2010-2012 reoperation-free survival: 85.7% (95% CI 85.6%-85.7%); 2013-2015 reoperation-free survival: 87.8% (95% CI 87.7%-87.9%)]. CONCLUSIONS: The surgical treatment of ventral and incisional hernias has evolved in recent decades, with more patients undergoing minimally invasive repair, receiving mesh, and undergoing myofascial release. Although our analysis does not address causality, rates of reoperation for hernia recurrence improved slightly contemporaneous with changes in surgical technique.

Building a national hernia registry in South Africa: initial ventral hernia repair results from a diverse healthcare sector.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper was to introduce a new registry in a developing country by describing the demographics, management and 30-day outcomes of patients undergoing ventral hernia repair in the public and private healthcare sectors of South Africa. METHODS: This study was a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained hernia registry from the 1st of February 2019 to 29th of February 2020. RESULTS: 353 ventral hernia repair cases were recorded of which 47% were incisional hernias and the remainder were primary hernias. The median age was 54 years with even distribution of males and females. Half of the patients were obese with a median BMI of 31 kg/m2. The private sector performed 190 cases (54%) and the public sector 163 cases (46%). The public sector had more current smokers undergoing elective repairs, 28% vs 15%, p = 0.01 and performed more emergency repair cases, 21% vs 8%, p < 0.01. The majority (89%) of hernias were repaired with mesh and one-third were repaired laparoscopically. 30 day follow up was obtained in 30% of cases, the private sector had better follow up rates (42% vs 14%). CONCLUSION: Participation in the HIG (SA) registry was low with poor follow up over the first year. Ongoing prospective data capture on the HIG (SA) hernia registry will continue to provide further insights into hernia repair practices in South Africa.

The hidden costs of open hepatectomy: A 10-year, single institution series of right-sided hepatectomies.

BACKGROUND: Incisional ventral hernias(IVH) are a common complication following open abdominal surgery. The aim of this study was to uncover the hidden costs of IVH following right-sided hepatectomy. METHODS: Outcomes and hospital billing data for patients undergoing open(ORH) and laparoscopic right-sided hepatectomies(LRH) were reviewed from 2008 to 2018. RESULTS: Of 327 patients undergoing right-sided hepatectomies, 231 patients were included into two groups: ORH(n = 118) and LRH(n = 113). Median follow-up-times and time-to-hernia were 24.9-months(0.3-128.4 months) and 40.5-months(0.4-81.4 months), respectively. The incidence of hernias at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years was 6/231(2.6%), 13/231(5.6%), 15(6.5%), and 17/231(7.4%); ORH = 14, LRH = 3, p = 0.003), respectively. In terms of IVH repair(IVHR), total operative costs ($10,719.27vs.$4,441.30,p < 0.001) and overall care costs ($20,541.09vs.$7,149.21,p = 0.044) were significantly greater for patients undergoing ORH. Patients whom underwent ORHs had longer hospital stays and more complications following IVHR. Risk analysis identified ORH(RR-10.860), male gender(RR-3.558), BMI ≥30 kg/m2(RR-5.157), and previous abdominal surgery(RR-6.870) as predictors for hernia development (p < 0.030). CONCLUSION: Evaluation of pre-operative hernia risk factors and utilization of a laparoscopic approach to right-sided hepatectomy reduces incisional ventral hernia incidence and cost when repair is needed.

Patient Reported Injuries After Ventral Hernia Repair.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS:: The Swedish National Patient Insurance Company (LÖF) can compensate patients who believe they have been exposed to an avoidable injury or malpractice in healthcare. Its register covers 95% of Swedish healthcare providers. MATERIAL AND METHODS:: Data on patients operated for primary or incisional ventral hernia in Sweden between 2010 and 2015 and who had filed a claim, were retrieved from LÖF. A total of 290 cases were identified and included. Files include a copy of records, relevant imaging, and an expert advisor's opinion. RESULTS:: Inadvertent enterotomy occurred during 25 repairs and in these cases, laparoscopic repair was clearly overrepresented ( p < 0.001). Complications related to the surgical site (infection and ugly scar) were predominantly related to open repairs ( p < 0.001). Twenty percentage (57/290) of the claims were directly related to an anesthetic mishap. Univariate ordinal regression showed that the odds of receiving a high reimbursement was significantly increased if laparoscopic repair was performed p < 0.001 (odds ratio: 0.37; 95% confidence interval: 0.21-0.65). Sixty-three percentage of claims were filed by women. CONCLUSION:: Inadvertent enterotomy is overrepresented, and the probability that a claim filed for an avoidable injury leads to high reimbursement is greater if laparoscopic repair is performed rather than open ventral hernia repair. The high amount of injuries related to general anesthesia during umbilical hernia repair may be reduced with an increased proportion executed in local anesthesia.

Incidence of Ventral Hernia Repair after Open Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and Open Aortofemoral or Aortoiliac Bypass Surgery: An Analysis of 17,594 Patients in the State of New York.

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the rate of ventral hernia repair (VHR) after open abdominal aortic anneurysm in New York State compared with the rate of VHR after open abdominal aortic bypass procedures. The Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System database was queried for all abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and bypass procedures performed between 2000 and 2010. Social security death index was used to identify patients who died. The cause-specific Cox proportional hazard model was applied to compare the risk of having follow-up VHR between patients with AAA and bypass with death as a competing risk event. A multivariable model was used to explore independent relationship with the risk of having follow-up ventral hernia after adjusting for other factors. There were 9314 patients who underwent open AAA repair, 739 (7.93%) of which had subsequent VHR. Comparatively, 8280 patients underwent aortofemoral or aortoiliac bypass procedures, with 480 (5.8%) undergoing subsequent VHR. The observed one-year, five-year, and 10-year VHR rates for AAA versus bypass were 2.8 versus 1.8 per cent, 10.0 versus 8.0 per cent, 10.7 versus 9.38 per cent, respectively. After controlling for all other factors, patients undergoing AAA repair were more likely and elderly patients were less likely to undergo VHR (P < 0.0001). Patients with serious comorbid conditions such as valvular disease, diabetes mellitus, and neurologic disorders were less likely to undergo subsequent VHR controlling for other factors. VHR after AAA procedures is more common compared with bypass procedures for occlusive disease. Because this patient population has significant comorbidity, prophylactic mesh placement may play a role in preventing necessity for future procedures.

The impact of hospital volume on clinical and economic outcomes in ventral hernia repair: an analysis with national policy implications.

PURPOSE: The objectives of this study are to evaluate the associations between ventral hernia repair procedure volume and patient outcomes, including both clinical and economic outcomes. METHOD: The 2014 National Inpatient Sample was queried for patients who underwent elective, open ventral (incisional) hernia repair with or without mesh. Outcomes included occurrence of major or wound-based in-hospital complications, extended length of stay (> 4 days), and increased costs (> $12,816). High-volume hospitals were defined as the 90th percentile of case volume or higher (> 60 cases/year). Multivariate regression was performed to access the outcomes associated with high-volume hospitals. RESULTS: 54,075 patients at 2049 hospitals were retrieved. 41.4 percent of patients were treated at high-volume hospitals. Patients treated at high-volume hospitals were less likely to experience a major complication (OR 0.88; 95% CI 0.82-0.96; p = 0.002) or wound-based complication (OR 0.84; 95% CI 0.76-0.92; p < 0.001). However, in terms of resource utilization, patients treated at high-volume hospitals were more likely to experience an extended length of stay (OR 1.14; 95% CI 1.09-1.12; p < 0.001) and an increase in costs (OR 1.23; 95% CI 1.17-1.29; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Hospitals that perform a larger number of ventral hernia repairs, despite caring for a more complex patient population, may be associated with better patient outcomes than lower volume hospitals. However, these same high-volume centers demonstrate an extended length of stay and increased costs. Further research is needed to understand the reason for this gap in proper resource utilization in high-volume ventral hernia repair centers.

Clinical assessment, radiographic imaging, and patient self-report for abdominal wall hernias.

BACKGROUND: Increasingly, abdominal wall hernias are being diagnosed incidentally through radiographic imaging. Such hernias are referred to as occult. However, the clinical significance of occult hernias is unknown. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of occult hernias and to assess the abdominal wall quality of life (AW-QOL) among patients with occult hernias. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A blinded, observational, cross-sectional study, October-December 2016, of patients presenting to single academic institution's general surgery clinics was performed. Inclusion criteria included all patients with a computed tomography scan of the abdomen or pelvis within the last year with no intervening abdominal or pelvic surgery. Patients were administered a validated AW-QOL survey and underwent a standardized clinical examination. Computed tomography scans were reviewed. Primary outcomes were prevalence and AW-QOL measured by the modified Activities Assessment Scale. AW-QOL of patients with no hernias was compared to that of those with occult hernias and clinically apparent hernias using Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: A total of 250 patients were enrolled of whom 97 (38.8%) had a hernia noted on clinical examination and 132 (52.8%) had a hernia noted on radiographic imaging. The prevalence of occult hernias was 38 (15.2%). Patients with no hernia had a median (interquartile range) AW-QOL of 82.5 (55.0-95.3), patients with clinically apparent hernias had AW-QOL of 47.7 (31.2-81.6; P < 0.001), and patients with occult hernias had AW-QOL of 72.4 (38.5-97.2; P = 0.36). CONCLUSIONS: Both clinically apparent and occult hernias are prevalent. However, only patients with clinically apparent hernias had differences in AW-QOL when compared to patients with no hernias. Prospective trials are needed to assess the outcomes of patients with occult hernias managed with and without surgical repair.

Epidemiology and Disparities in Care: The Impact of Socioeconomic Status, Gender, and Race on the Presentation, Management, and Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Ventral Hernia Repair.

More research is needed with regards to gender, race, and socioeconomic status on ventral hernia presentation, management, and outcomes. The role of culture and geography in hernia-related health care remains unknown. Currently existing nationwide registries have thus far yielded at best a modest overview of disparities in hernia care. The significant variation in care relative to gender, race, and socioeconomic status suggests that there is room for improvement in providing consistent care for patients with hernias.

Preoperative and Postoperative Assessment of Rectus Abdominis Muscle Size and Function following DIEP Flap Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Prospective evaluation of rectus abdominis muscle function after deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction is limited. Elimination of muscle harvest with this procedure is theoretically associated with preservation of rectus abdominis function and minimization of abdominal wall morbidity. In this study, the authors evaluate the change in rectus abdominis muscle size and function after DIEP flap surgery. METHODS: Patients undergoing unilateral DIEP flap surgery were recruited prospectively. Using computed tomography, the change in preoperative to postoperative rectus abdominis muscle size was compared between the operative side rectus abdominis muscle and the contralateral, nonoperative control rectus abdominis. Postoperative muscle integrity and contractility were evaluated using ultrasound by comparing the change in rectus abdominis muscle dimensions between contractile and relaxed states. The BREAST-Q was used to score patients' subjective satisfaction. Clinical and radiographic hernia rates were also calculated. RESULTS: Analysis of 26 paired rectus abdominis muscles revealed no significant change in muscle size from preoperative to postoperative values. Furthermore, dimensional change from contractile to relaxed states postoperatively was similar for paired operative and nonoperative rectus abdominis muscles. BREAST-Q scores indicated a high degree of satisfaction in abdominal well-being, breast satisfaction, and surgical experience domains. There were no clinical or radiographic abdominal wall hernias noted. CONCLUSIONS: The DIEP flap is an effective surgical procedure with minimal abdominal wall morbidity that is associated with no measurable loss in rectus abdominis size and contractile function postoperatively. Patients are highly satisfied with their abdominal function postoperatively using this technique. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

The cost of preventable comorbidities on wound complications in open ventral hernia repair.

BACKGROUND: Patients with complex ventral hernias may benefit from preoperative optimization. This study evaluates the financial impact of preventable comorbidities (PCM) in elective open ventral hernia repair. METHODS: In this single institution prospectively collected data from 2007-2011, hospital charges (included all hernia-related visits, interventions, or readmissions) and wound-related complications in patients with PCM-diabetes, tobacco use, and obesity-were compared to patients without such risks using standard statistical methods. RESULTS: Within the study period, there were 118 patients with no PCM; of those, 33 had complications, and 85 did not. In the 131 patients with two or more PCM, 81 had complications; 89 of 251 patients had complications in the group with only 1 PCM; groups with PCM were significantly more likely to have complications compared to the no PCM group (62% versus 35.4% versus 28%, P < 0.05). The majority of the patient population was female (57.2%) with a mean age of 57.8 y (range, 22-84 ys), and median defect size was 150 cm2 (interquartile range, 50-283 cm2). Body mass index was higher in PCM group with complications than in PCM without complications (40 versus 36 kg/m2, P < 0.05). For patients with complications, the average hospital charges were $80,660 in the PCM group compared to $55,444 in the no PCM group (P = 0.038). Hospital charges in those with PCM without complications compared to no PCM with complications were equivalent ($65,453 versus $55,444, P = 0.55). Even when no complications occurred, patients with PCM incurred higher charges than No PCM for inpatient ($61,269 versus $31,236, P < 0.02), outpatient ($4,185 versus $552, P < 0.04), and total hospital charges ($65,453 versus $31,788, P ≤ 0.001). Those patients without complications but with a single PCM incurred larger charges than those with no PCM during follow-up ($3578 versus $552, P = 0.04), but there was no difference in hospital or overall total charges (P > 0.05). Interestingly, patients without complications, both hospital ($38,333 versus $61,269, P = 0.02) and total charges ($41,911 versus $65,453, P = 0.01) were increased for patients with 2+ PCM compared to those with only a single PCM. If complications occurred, no difference between the single PCM group compared to the two or more PCM groups existed for hospital, follow-up, or overall charges (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with PCM undergoing open ventral hernia repair are more likely to have complications than patients without comorbidities. Patients with PCM generate higher hospital charges than those without PCM even when no complications occur; furthermore, the more PCM, the patient has the more significant the impact. Interestingly, patients with multiple PCM and no complications had equivalent hospital costs compared to patients with no PCM and with complications. Aggressive risk reduction may translate into significant savings. Preoperative preparation of patients before elective surgery is indicated.

Long-term assessment of parastomal hernia prevention by intra-peritoneal mesh reinforcement according to the modified Sugarbaker technique.

BACKGROUND: Parastomal hernia (PSH) is a very frequent complication after creation of a permanent colostomy. The aim of that study is to assess the safety and the long-term efficacy of an intra-peritoneal onlay mesh (IPOM) positioned at the time of primary stoma formation to prevent PSH occurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: That multicentre prospective study concerned 29 consecutive patients operated for cancer of the low rectum between 2008 and 2014. There were 14 men and 15 women with a median age of 73 years (range 39-88) and a BMI of 28 (range 21-43). All the patients had potentially curative abdominoperineal excision associated with IPOM reinforcement of the abdominal wall with a round non-slit composite mesh centred on the stoma site and covering the lateralized colon according to the modified Sugarbaker technique. The major outcomes analysed were operative time, complications related to mesh and PSH incidence. Patients were evaluated at 6-month intervals for the first 2 years and thereafter annually with physical examination and CT scan control. For PSH evaluation, we used the classification of Moreno-Matias. RESULTS: Surgery was performed by laparoscopy in 24 patients and by laparotomy in 5; 17 had a trans-peritoneal colostomy and 12 an extra-peritoneal colostomy. The median size of the mesh was 15 cm (range 12-20), the operative time 225 min. (range 123-311) and the specific time for mesh placement 15 min. (range 10-30). With a median follow-up of 48 months (range 6-88), no mesh infection or complication requiring mesh removal were recorded. No patient developed a true PSH; two of them had a type Ia PSH (only containing the bowel forming the colostomy with a sac < 5 cm) and were totally asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: In our series, the incidence of PSH was 7 % and no specific mesh-related complication was noted. Prophylactic mesh reinforcement according to the modified Sugarbaker is an effective technique that addresses the issues related to the occurrence of PSH.

Extending the value of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program claims dataset to study long-term outcomes: Rate of repeat ventral hernia repair.

BACKGROUND: Existing large clinical registries capture short-term follow-up. Yet, there are many important long-term outcomes in surgery, such as recurrence of a ventral hernia after ventral hernia repair. The goal of the current study was to conduct an exploratory analysis to determine whether the rates, timing, and risk factors for ventral hernia re-repair in claims data linked to registry data were consistent with the known clinical literature. STUDY DESIGN: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) and Medicare inpatient claims linked data set from 2005 to 2008 was queried to identify ventral hernia re-repairs after index ventral hernia repairs. Survival analysis was used to examine the ventral hernia re-repair rate over time and to quantify the relationship with clinical variables. RESULTS: Of 3,730 index ventral hernia repairs identified in ACS-NSQIP, 247 patients (6.6%) underwent re-repair of a ventral hernia during the study period (2005-2008) in the Medicare claims data. ACS-NSQIP clinical variables that were associated with the ventral hernia re-repair rate in Medicare claims data 1 year after index ventral hernia repair were being a smoker (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.70, P = .02), body mass index (HR = 1.16, P = .04), and postoperative superficial surgical-site infection (HR = 2.88, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Long-term rate and timing of ventral hernia re-repair obtained from claims data were an underestimate compared with clinical studies. Yet, several known clinical risk factors for recurrence in the clinical registry were associated with the re-repair rate in claims data at one year. It may be possible to study certain long-term outcomes using selected reoperation rates using the technique of linked clinical registry-claims data, with an understanding that event rates are conservative estimates.

Use of morphometric assessment of body composition to quantify risk of surgical-site infection in patients undergoing component separation ventral hernia repair.

BACKGROUND: Body mass index does not allow accurate risk stratification for individuals undergoing component separation repair of ventral hernias. The authors hypothesized that tissue morphology measurements (morphomics) of preoperative computed tomography scans stratify the risk of surgical site infection in patients undergoing ventral hernia repair with a component separation technique. METHODS: The authors identified 93 patients who underwent component release ventral hernia repair (2004 to 2012). The surgical technique involved release of the external oblique muscle lateral to the linea semilunaris. Using analytic morphomic techniques, the authors measured patients' morphology using routine preoperative computed tomography scans. Two-sample t test was used to evaluate the effect of morphomic and demographic factors on surgical-site infection. Separate logistic regression analyses were performed on these morphomic factors to evaluate their predictive value in assessing the risk of surgical site infection, controlling for demographic covariates. RESULTS: Surgical site infections were observed in 31 percent (n = 29) of the population. Subcutaneous fat area, total body area, and total body circumference had increased odds ratios for surgical site infection (p = 0.004, 0.014, and 0.012, respectively), indicating that these measures are better associated with surgical site infection than body mass index. These calculations control for demographic covariates, confirming that these morphomic parameters are predictive of surgical site infection. CONCLUSION: Specific morphomic values serve as superior predictors of surgical site infection in patients undergoing component separation technique hernia repair than currently used values such as body mass index. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, III.

Analysis of risk factors, morbidity, and cost associated with respiratory complications following abdominal wall reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Ventral hernia remains a continued and expensive problem for general and reconstructive surgeons, alike. The aim of this study was to assess perioperative factors and cost associated with postoperative respiratory morbidity in abdominal wall reconstruction. METHODS: A retrospective review of abdominal wall reconstruction patients operated on between 2007 and 2012 was performed. Analysis of perioperative factors associated with postoperative respiratory morbidity was performed using hospital-defined International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess independent predictors of postoperative respiratory morbidity, and linear regression was used to determine the financial impact. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-four consecutive abdominal wall reconstructions performed by a single surgeon over a 5-year period were included. Respiratory complications occurred in 15.7 percent of patients (n = 21); 5.2 percent required reintubation (n = 7) and 5.2 percent failed to wean from ventilatory support postoperatively (n = 7). Patients experiencing respiratory morbidity stayed on average 16.2 days longer (p < 0.0001) and represented the only three patients in the study experiencing mortality (p = 0.003). Regression analysis demonstrated that intraoperative blood transfusions (p = 0.008), highest peak intraoperative airway pressure (p = 0.017), fascial closure (p = 0.013), and American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status (p = 0.019) were all associated with postoperative respiratory morbidity. Linear regression analysis demonstrated that respiratory complications added a cost of $60,933 per patient (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative respiratory morbidity following abdominal wall reconstruction is a common occurrence linked to identifiable perioperative risk factors and associated with significant mortality and a tremendous cost burden. These findings underscore the importance of preoperative risk stratification and patient selection to optimize outcome and contain cost.

Incidence, risk factors and management of incisional hernia in a high volume liver transplant center.

BACKGROUND: Incisional hernia after liver transplantation is a common complication with an incidence between 5% and 34%. This prospective study analyzed risk factors, surgical management and long-term results after hernia repair. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From February 2002 until August 2009, 810 liver transplantations were performed. 77 patients (9.5%) underwent incisional hernia repair after a median time of 21.1 months (4.6-76.7) following transplant. These patients were compared to patients without hernia (n=733). RESULTS: No statistically significant differences between the groups were observed with respect to gender, underlying liver disease, Child-Pugh classification, MELD-Score and preoperative renal failure (p=NS). Multivariate analysis revealed advanced age (p=0.014), body mass index (p=0.016), and re-laparotomies (p<0.001) as independent risk factors for incisional hernias. Pre-existing diabetes mellitus and immunosuppression with mycophenolate mofetil reached significance only in the univariate analysis (p<0.001). Recurrent hernia was observed in 12 of 77 patients (15.6%) at a median time of 7.9 months (4.8-46.8) after primary surgical repair. The recurrence rate after intraperitoneal onlay mesh implantation was lower compared to other mesh techniques (7.7% vs. 21.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The risk factors for the development of incisional hernias in liver transplant patients are similar to patients with prior abdominal surgery for other reasons. Intraperitoneal onlay mesh implantation may lead to a decrease of hernia recurrences. The role of immunosuppression in the genesis of incisional hernias requires further elucidation.

Single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy is associated with improved cosmesis scoring at the cost of significantly higher hernia rates: 1-year results of a prospective randomized, multicenter, single-blinded trial of traditional multiport laparoscopic cholecystectomy vs single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive techniques have become an integral part of general surgery with recent investigation into single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC). This study presents the final 1-year results of a prospective, randomized, multicenter, single-blinded trial of SILC vs multiport cholecystectomy (4PLC). STUDY DESIGN: Patients with biliary colic and documented gallstones or polyps or with biliary dyskinesia were randomized to SILC vs 4PLC. Data measures included operative details, adverse events, and conversion to 4PLC or laparotomy. Patients were followed for 12 months. RESULTS: Two hundred patients underwent randomization to SILC (n = 119) or 4PLC (n = 81). Enrollment ranged from 1 to 50 patients with 4 sites enrolling >25 patients. Total adverse events were not significantly different between groups (36% 4PLC vs 45% SILC; p = 0.24), as were severe adverse events (4% 4PLC vs 10% SILC; p = 0.11). Incision-related adverse events were higher after SILC (11.7% vs 4.9%; p = 0.13), but all of these were listed as mild or moderate. Total hernia rates were 1.2% (1 of 81) in 4PLC patients vs 8.4% (10 of 119) in SILC patients (p = 0.03). At 1-year follow-up, cosmesis scores continued to favor SILC (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Results of this trial show SILC to be a safe and feasible procedure when compared with 4PLC, with similar total adverse events but with an identified significant increase in hernia formation. Cosmesis scoring and patient preference at 12 months continue to favor SILC, and more than half of the patients were willing to pay more for a single-site surgery over a standard laparoscopic procedure. Additional longer-term population-based studies are needed to clarify if this increased rate of hernia formation as compared with 4PLC will continue to hold true.

Effect of patient and hospital characteristics on outcomes of elective ventral hernia repair in the United States.

PURPOSES: Our ability to predict complications of ventral hernia repairs (VHR) are inadequate. Although impact of patient comorbidities and hospital characteristics on outcomes of several surgical procedures has been reported, such analysis on elective herniorrhaphy has not been performed to date. We hypothesized that obesity and diabetes as well as socioeconomic factors would have deleterious outcomes on elective VHR. METHODS: Analysis of 2004-2008 Nationwide Inpatient Sample database. Main outcome measures included wound/systemic morbidity, length of stay, discharge status, and in-hospital mortality. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess influence of diabetes, obesity, patient socioeconomic factors, and hospital characteristics on the outcomes of VHR. RESULTS: A total of 78,348 adults undergoing elective VHR were analyzed. Obesity had significant risks for cardiopulmonary complications and prolonged hospitalization. Diabetics were more likely to have delayed wound healing. Hispanic patients had significantly higher rates of pulmonary complications and mortality. As compared to private insurance patients, Medicaid and Medicare patients had significantly higher odds of complications, prolonged hospitalization, non-routine discharge, and mortality. CONCLUSION: Obesity and diabetes appear to be significant predictors of morbidity in patients undergoing elective VHR. Alarmingly, Medicare/Medicaid patients not only had the highest rates of wound/systemic complications but also the highest post-operative mortality. For the first time, we demonstrated that in addition to comorbidities, both patient socioeconomic factors and hospital characteristics appear to be major determinants of post-herniorrhaphy complications and mortalities. Improved health maintenance and reduction in income-related disparities in health care delivery may be paramount in improving outcomes of VHR in the United States.

Incisional hernia rate may increase after single-port cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: The major concerns of single-port cholecystectomy are port-site hernia and cost. Essentially, a larger transumbilical incision is more likely to increase the incidence of incisional hernia. The effect of single-port cholecystectomy on hospital cost is controversial. This study evaluated single-port cholecystectomy and traditional four-port cholecystectomy with respect to perioperative outcomes, hospital cost, and postoperative complications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2010 and March 2011, 52 patients underwent single-port cholecystectomy, and 111 patients underwent traditional laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We used equal instruments in patients undergoing operation with the same surgical technique. Demographics, diagnosis, operative data, complications, length of hospital stay, and cost were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were significantly older than patients undergoing single-port cholecystectomy (55.8±13.8 years versus 48.7±12.7 years, P=.002). The trocar site hernia rate was 1.8% in laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and the port-site hernia rate was 5.8% in single-port cholecystectomy. This is the highest rate reported in the literature for port-site hernia following single-port cholecystectomy. Surgical techniques were not different in terms of conversion to open surgery, postoperative hospital stay, and operative time. The relative cost of single-port cholecystectomy versus laparoscopic cholecystectomy was 1.54. CONCLUSIONS: Although single-port cholecystectomy seems to be a feasible surgical technique, it is not superior over the traditional laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Single-port cholecystectomy is equal to laparoscopic cholecystectomy with respect to conversion to open surgery, postoperative hospital stay, and operative time, but it is associated with high hospital cost and high port-site hernia rate.