Application of Component Separation and Short-Term Outcomes in Ventral Hernia Repairs.

INTRODUCTION: Component separation (CS) techniques have evolved in recent years. How surgeons apply the various CS techniques, anterior component separation (aCS) versus posterior component separation (pCS), by patient and hernia-specific factors remain unknown in the general population. Improving the quality of ventral hernia repair (VHR) on a large scale requires an understanding of current practice variations and how these variations ultimately affect patient care. In this study, we examine the application of CS techniques and the associated short-term outcomes while taking into consideration patient and hernia-specific factors. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed a clinically rich statewide hernia registry, the Michigan Surgical Quality Collaborative Hernia Registry, of persons older than 18 y who underwent VHR between January 2020 and July 2021. The exposure of interest was the use of CS. Our primary outcome was a composite end point of 30-d adverse events including any complication, emergency department visit, readmission, and reoperation. Our secondary outcome was surgical site infection (SSI). Multivariable logistic regression examined the association of CS use, 30-d adverse events, and SSI with patient-, hernia-, and operative-specific variables. We performed a sensitivity analysis evaluating for differences in application and outcomes of the posterior and aCS techniques. RESULTS: A total of 1319 patients underwent VHR, with a median age (interquartile range) of 55 y (22), 641 (49%) female patients, and a median body mass index of 32 (9) kg/m2. CS was used in 138 (11%) patients, of which 101 (73%) were pCS and 37 (27%) were aCS. Compared to patients without CS, patients undergoing a CS had larger median hernia widths (2.5 cm (range 0.01-23 cm) versus 8 cm (1-30 cm), P < 0.001). Of the CS cases, 49 (36%) performed in hernias less than 6 cm in size. Following multivariate regression, factors independently associated with the use of a CS were diabetes (odds ratio [OR]: 2.00, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19-3.36), previous hernia repair (OR: 1.88, 95% CI: 1.20-2.96), hernia width (OR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.22-1.34), and an open approach (OR: 3.83, 95% CI: 2.24-6.53). Compared to patients not having a CS, use of a CS was associated with increased odds of 30-d adverse events (OR: 1.88 95% CI: 1.13-3.12) but was not associated with SSI (OR: 1.95, 95% CI: 0.74-4.63). Regression analysis demonstrated no differences in 30-d adverse events or SSI between the pCS and aCS techniques. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first population-level report of patients undergoing VHR with concurrent posterior or aCS. These data suggest wide variation in the application of CS in VHR and raises a concern for potential overutilization in smaller hernias. Continued analysis of CS application and the associated outcomes, specifically recurrence, is necessary and underway.

Trocar Site HERnias After Bariatric Laparoscopic Surgery (HERBALS): a Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The exact prevalence of trocar site hernias after bariatric procedures is not yet known. Recent metaanalysis data indicated concerning rates of up to 25%. We conducted a prospective cohort study to estimate the prevalence and analyze the role of fascia closure in the development of trocar hernias. METHOD: A total of 365 patients who were operated for obesity in our department between 2009 and 2018 were included. All patients were invited for a follow-up ultrasonography scan in order to detect abdominal wall defects. The role of intraoperative fascia closure in the development of trocar site hernias was evaluated, and a logistic regression analysis was performed to detect potential risk factors. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of trocar hernias detected by ultrasonography was 34%. The prevalence of abdominal wall defects in patients who received a fascia closure was 37% compared with 34% in patients who did not receive a fascia closure (p = 0.37). The only factor that was associated with a higher risk for trocar site hernias was high excessive weight loss (p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Trocar site hernias are an underestimated complication of minimally invasive, multiportal bariatric surgery, and the prevalence of asymptomatic hernias is probably higher than initially expected. In this study, fascia closure did not protect against trocar hernias. However, opposing evidence from similar trials suggests closing the fascia. This clinical problem should therefore be further assessed in a prospective randomized setting.

Robotic Colostomy Takedown in a Patient with Extensive Ventral Hernias and Adhesive Disease.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate a surgical video wherein a robot-assisted colostomy takedown was performed with anastomosis of the descending colon to the rectum after reduction of ventral hernias and extensive lysis of adhesions. DESIGN: Case report and a step-by-step video demonstration of a robot-assisted colostomy takedown and end-to-side anastomosis. SETTING: Tertiary referral center in New Haven, Connecticut. A 64-year-old female was diagnosed with stage IIIA endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma in 2015 when she underwent an optimal cytoreductive surgery. In addition, she required resection of the sigmoid colon and a descending end colostomy with Hartmann's pouch, mainly secondary to extensive diverticulitis. After adjuvant chemoradiation, she remained disease free and desired colostomy reversal. Body mass index at the time was 32 kg/m2. Computed tomography of her abdomen and pelvis did not show any evidence of recurrence but was notable for a large ventral hernia and a parastomal hernia. She then underwent a colonoscopy, which was negative for any pathologic condition, except for some narrowing of the distal rectum above the level of the levator ani. INTERVENTIONS: Enterolysis was extensive and took approximately 2 hours. The splenic flexure of the colon had to be mobilized to provide an adequate proximal limb to the anastomosis site. An anvil was then introduced into the distal descending colon through the colostomy site. A robotic stapler was used to seal the colostomy site and detach it from the anterior abdominal wall. Unfortunately, the 28-mm EEA sizer (Covidien, Dublin, Ireland) perforated through the distal rectum, caudal to the stricture site. A substantial length of the distal rectum had to be sacrificed secondary to the perforation, which mandated further mobilization of the splenic flexure. The rectum was then reapproximated with a 3-0 barbed suture in 2 layers. This provided us with approximately 6- to 8-cm distal rectum. An end-to-side anastomosis of the descending colon to the distal rectum was performed. Anastomotic integrity was confirmed using the bubble test. Because of the lower colorectal anastomosis, a protective diverting loop ileostomy was performed. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course. A hypaque enema performed 3 months after the colostomy takedown showed no evidence of anastomotic leak or stricture. The ileostomy was then reversed without any complications. CONCLUSION: Robot-assisted colostomy takedown and anastomosis of the descending colon to rectum were successfully performed. Although there is a paucity of literature examining this technique within gynecologic surgery, the literature on general surgery has supported laparoscopic Hartmann's reversal and has demonstrated improved rates of postoperative complications and incisional hernia and reduced duration of hospitalization [1]. Minimally invasive technique is a feasible alternative to laparotomy for gynecologic oncology patients who undergo colostomy, as long as the patients are recurrence free.

Continuous local analgesia is effective in postoperative pain treatment after medium and large incisional hernia repair.

INTRODUCTION: Incisional hernias are a frequent complication of laparotomy. Open surgery is still an option for the treatment of incisional hernias with medium and large wall defects. Major opioids are routinely used in the treatment of postoperative pain, with several side effects. Continuous local analgesia can be effective in postoperative pain management after various surgical interventions. However, very few reports exist on its application in incisional hernias. PURPOSE: We assessed the effectiveness of ropivacaine in reducing the need for systemic analgesics in postoperative pain management related to these interventions. METHODS: We conducted an open-label, prospective, randomized design study. One hundred patients with medium and large incisional hernias were treated by open surgery. Thirty patients with abdominal defects > 8 cm received continuous postoperative local analgesia with ropivacaine 5 mg/ml. Thirty four and 36 patients (abdominal defects of more, and respectively less than 8 cm) received conventional analgesia. RESULTS: Continuous local anesthesia during the first 72 h after surgery reduced the number of patients needing analgesia with pethidine (17 vs 47% and 53%, p = 0.006), as well as the cumulative doses of pethidine (p < 0.05), tramadol (p < 0.001), and metamizole (p < 0.001) needed to control postoperative pain. Catheter installation for local anesthesia did not increase surgery time (p = 0.16) or the rate of local complications. CONCLUSION: Continuous local analgesia reduces the need for systemic opioids and can be successfully used in the postoperative pain management after medium and large incisional hernias treated by open surgery.

Parastomal hernia-repair using mesh and an open technique.

INTRODUCTION: Parastomal hernia occurs in 35%-50% of patients who have had a stoma formed, whether for the digestive tract or the urinary tract. There are many repair techniques including primary repair and repair using different types of mesh prosthesis, and the surgical approach may be open or laparoscopic. However, all techniques suffer the disadvantage of a high index of hernia recurrence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included 125 patients from the stoma clinic at our hospital. Hernia repair was performed on 25 of these patients who had a terminal colostomy because of either cancer or inflammatory disease. Preoperative colon preparation involved a cathartic, an evacuating enema, and antibiotic therapy in the preoperative period. The repair was conducted via an anterior approach, dissecting the skin around the stoma in the way a plastic surgeon handles an umbilical scar during abdominoplasty, in order to enter the hernia site. The hernial sac was left intact to form a bed on which to lay a lightweight polypropylene mesh, and this was then fixed to the deep face of the aponeurosis all around the stoma, with sutures placed in a U-shape with 1/0 or 2/0 non-absorbent material. The mesh was also fixed to the external surface of the colon with simple sutures of 3/0 polyglycocolic acid. A closed supra-aponeurotic drain was left in situ, and the skin was closed with 3/0 nylon. RESULTS: Of the corpus, 50 patients presented with parastomal hernia (40%), and 25 of them underwent surgery. These patients were followed for a period of 12 months, on average (range: 8-24 months). After operation, 2 patients (8%) experienced hernia recurrence and underwent further surgery to reinforce the abdominal wall with a new insertion of mesh prosthesis; 2 patients (8%) suffered surgical wound infection; and 2 patients (8%) developed a seroma. There was no rejection of the mesh, erosion of the colon, or fistula formation. CONCLUSIONS: Inserting a mesh prosthesis by this technique is a safe effective treatment for parastomal hernia, adding another option to the available repair solutions. Prospective and comparative studies are required to reinforce this study, and they should ideally include a greater number of patients in the study corpus.

The role of barium enema in colostomy closure in trauma patients.

Recently, the routine use of barium enema preceding colostomy closure in trauma patients has been challenged. It has been argued that the nature of the injury should be apparent from the initial laparotomy and that the likelihood of finding an unsuspected colonic lesion in the young, previously healthy patients who constitute the majority of trauma patients is very small. We retrospectively reviewed 124 consecutive cases of patients who received colostomy takedowns for trauma. One hundred six of the patients had preoperative barium enema evaluation. 87.1 per cent of the examinations were negative, with a subsequent stoma closure complication rate of 20.4 per cent. Of the 13 positive barium enemas, 9 were falsely positive. These patients had a higher stoma closure complication rate of 39 per cent, a fact that could not be explained on the basis of their abnormal studies. The 18 patients who did not have barium enema performed did not have an increase in complications (17.6%). Barium enema failed to uncover unsuspected pertinent diagnoses, often added unnecessary delays and expense, and in no case changed the operative management. Contrast studies were found to be useful in defining anatomy in cases of known fistulas and when the takedowns were performed without the benefit of operative reports from the previous surgery.

Prerectal peritoneal pouch with herniating small bowel -- a unique cause of severe constipation in a child.

We report a 14-year-old boy with severe constipation with a four-year history of no spontaneous bowel movements. Defecography, with synchronously administered barium enema and barium meal, showed that the small bowel could slide down in front of the rectum obstructing defecation. He was operated and a prerectal peritoneal pouch was found, which was resected. Postoperatively he has had daily spontaneous bowel movements. We have found no similar case described in the literature.

[Strangulated hernia of the right colon through the foramen of Winslow. Report of a case]. / Hernie étranglée du colon droit à travers l'hiatus de Winslow. A propos d'une observation.

Hernias through Winslow's hiatus are rare and give rise to serious diagnostic difficulties, hence the rarity of preoperative diagnoses. On the basis of one new exceptional case of hernia of the right colon, and in the light of the worldwide literature, we have summed up the main clinical and radiological signs of the condition, as well as the therapeutic strategy.

Electrostimulation of healing abdominal incisional hernias by low frequency, bipolar, symmetrical rectangular pulses. An experimental study.

A total of 107 male Wistar rats had abdominal hernias repaired (3 weeks after they had been artificially induced) by a two layer closure of the abdominal wall--the Mayo technique. The wounds of 56 rats were subjected to constant stimulation by an electric flow field. An implanted stimulation unit provided a low frequency (0.87 Hz), bipolar, symmetrical rectangular pulsed current (+/- 25 microA). A control group were given units that did not transmit current. In 39 of the 51 animals in the control group the muscle margins of the abdominal scars separated by between 1 and 5 mm. The scars of the electrostimulated animals were distinguished histologically by early formation of fibroblasts and deposition of collagen and the rapid maturation and longitudinal alignment of the collagen fibres. 46 of 56 of these scars were not separated. This technique may have a clinical application as adjuvant treatment for relapses of incisional hernias.

Abdominal wall and colo-rectal pathology.

The author reports the results of his experience in reconstructive surgery of the abdominal wall and of statics disorders of the pelvic organs on colo-rectal functional disturbances. Hernias and mostly eventration of the anterior or lumbar abdominal wall diminish or suppress the abdominal pressure aiding in the emptying of the rectum. Large dacron sub-peritoneal prostheses provide strength and permit an effective muscular contraction. Pelvic statics disorders cause painful manifestations, difficult to analyze, and the patients are torn between gynecologist and proctologist: these are painful symptoms of the Douglas' cul-de-sac. Examination must be based on objective signs obtained from barium enema during defecation. The treatment rests on a high fixation of pelvic organs and obliteration of the cul-de-sac.