Superiority trial for the development of an ideal method for the closure of midline abdominal wall incisions to reduce the incidence of wound complications after elective gastroenterological surgery: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The recent guidelines from the European and American Hernia Societies recommend a continuous small-bite suturing technique with slowly absorbable sutures for fascial closure of midline abdominal wall incisions to reduce the incidence of wound complications, especially for incisional hernia. However, this is based on low-certainty evidence. We could not find any recommendations for skin closure. The wound closure technique is an important determinant of the risk of wound complications, and a comprehensive approach to prevent wound complications should be developed. METHODS: We propose a single-institute, prospective, randomized, blinded-endpoint trial to assess the superiority of the combination of continuous suturing of the fascia without peritoneal closure and continuous suturing of the subcuticular tissue (study group) over that of interrupted suturing of the fascia together with the peritoneum and interrupted suturing of the subcuticular tissue (control group) for reducing the incidence of midline abdominal wall incision wound complications after elective gastroenterological surgery with a clean-contaminated wound. Permuted-block randomization with an allocation ratio of 1:1 and blocking will be used. We hypothesize that the study group will show a 50% reduction in the incidence of wound complications. The target number of cases is set at 284. The primary outcome is the incidence of wound complications, including incisional surgical site infection, hemorrhage, seroma, wound dehiscence within 30 days after surgery, and incisional hernia at approximately 1 year after surgery. DISCUSSION: This trial will provide initial evidence on the ideal combination of fascial and skin closure for midline abdominal wall incision to reduce the incidence of overall postoperative wound complications after gastroenterological surgery with a clean-contaminated wound. This trial is expected to generate high-quality evidence that supports the current guidelines for the closure of abdominal wall incisions from the European and American Hernia Societies and to contribute to their next updates. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN-CTR UMIN000048442. Registered on 1 August 2022. https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000055205.

Endoscopic Mini- or Less-Open Sublay operation with transversus abdominis muscle release using a single-port platform for incisional hernia: A video vignette.

TECHNIQUE: The Endoscopic Mini- or Less-open Sublay operation (EMILOS) is a transhernial repair that allows endoscopic dissection and mesh placement in the retrorectus/retromuscular space, and simultaneous transversus abdominis release (TAR) for larger hernias. The operative summary is as follows. 1 A 7-cm longitudinal skin incision was made immediately above the hernial orifice. 2 The hernial sac was circumferentially dissected to the border of the defect, and the abdomen was opened. 3 The posterior rectus sheath (PRS) was incised approximately 5 mm lateral to the medial border of the rectus sheath to enter the retrorectus space. 4 Exploratory laparoscopy was performed, and the peritoneum was closed. 5 A single port platform was attached to the wound, and the abdominal wall was insufflated. The retrorectal space was dissected laterally to the outer edge of the rectus abdominis muscle. The linea alba was incised at least 5 cm cranially and caudally from the border of the hernia defect to obtain sufficient mesh overlap. 6 The TAR was added to the left side to facilitate medial advancement of the PRS. (7) The PRS was approximated with continuous suture. A self-gripping mesh was trimmed and implanted in the retrorectus space. The mesh was secured with 3-0 absorbable sutures (8) A closed-suction drain was placed on the mesh, and the wound was trimmed and closed. RESULTS: The postoperative course was uneventful. No recurrence was observed at 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This technique may be advantageous because it allows minimal skin incision with physiological reconstruction of abdominal wall.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Colorectal Cancer: Epidemiology, Etiology, Surveillance, and Management.

Patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, have an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC). Although advancements in endoscopic imaging techniques, integrated surveillance programs, and improved medical therapies have contributed to a decreased incidence of CRC in patients with IBD, the rate of CRC remains higher in patients with IBD than in individuals without chronic colitis. Patients with IBD-related CRCs exhibit a poorer prognosis than those with sporadic CRCs, owing to their aggressive histological characteristics and lower curative resection rate. In this review, we present an updated overview of the epidemiology, etiology, risk factors, surveillance strategies, treatment recommendations, and prognosis of IBD-related CRCs.

Isolated metastases to the common iliac and mesorectal lymph nodes suggesting an atypical metastatic route in upper rectal cancer: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Most lymphatic vessels in the upper rectum run parallel to the superior rectal artery and up to the inferior mesenteric artery. Here, we report a rare case of upper rectal cancer with atypical lymphatic spread. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 39-year-old woman was diagnosed with upper rectal cancer and isolated lymph node (LN) metastases to the mesorectal and right common iliac LNs. The patient underwent laparoscopic low anterior resection with targeted dissection of the right common iliac LNs. The pathological diagnosis was T3N2M0, and the patient received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. One year later, local recurrence was found at the sacral promontory level, where the targeted lymphadenectomy had been performed previously. The recurrent tumor was surgically resected together with the attached presacral fascia. The patient subsequently received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, and there was no recurrence one year after the last surgery. DISCUSSION: Isolated metastases were observed in the right common iliac and mesorectal LNs. The locally recurrent tumor included lymphatic vessels running along the median sacral artery. No metastatic tumor was found in the internal iliac area at the time of the initial diagnosis nor during recurrence. Thus, this case suggests the presence of a rare metastatic route from the mesorectal LN to the common iliac LN via the median sacral lymphatics. CONCLUSION: Lymphatic spread of rectal cancer may be predictable; however, rare patterns of LN metastasis can exist. The assessment of lymphatic flow is crucial for improving the oncological outcomes of rectal cancer surgery.

Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention of Ileostomy Complications: An Updated Review.

An ileostomy is associated with multiple complications that may frequently or persistently affect the life of ostomates. All healthcare professionals should have knowledge of the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of ileostomy complications. Peristomal dermatitis is caused by watery and highly alkaline effluent. Skin protective products are typically used for local treatment. Ischemia/necrosis occurs due to insufficient arterial blood supply. Retraction is seen in patients with a bulky mesentery and occurs following ischemia. Convex stoma appliances can be used for skin protection against fecal leakage. Small bowel obstruction (SBO) is common and occurs only at the stoma site. Trans-stomal decompression is most effective in these cases. High output stoma (HOS) is defined as a condition when the output exceeds 1,000- 2,000 ml/day, lasting for one to three days. Treatment includes intravenous fluid and electrolyte resuscitation followed by restriction of hypotonic fluid and the use of antimotility (and antisecretory) drugs. Stomal prolapse is a full-thickness protrusion of an inverted bowel. Manual reduction is attempted initially, whereas emergency bowel resection may be needed for incarcerated cases. A parastomal hernia (PSH) is an incisional hernia of the stoma site. Surgery is considered in cases of incarceration, but most cases are manageable with non-surgical treatment.

Oncologic impact of colonic stents for obstructive left-sided colon cancer.

Colonic stenting has had a significant positive impact on the management of obstructive left-sided colon cancer (OLCC) in terms of both palliative treatment and bridge-to-surgery (BTS). Notably, many studies have convincingly demonstrated the effectiveness of stenting as a BTS, resulting in improvements in short-term outcomes and quality of life, safety, and efficacy in subsequent curative surgery, and increased cost-effectiveness, whereas the safety of chemotherapy after stenting and the long-term outcomes of stenting as a BTS are controversial. Several studies have suggested an increased risk of perforation in patients receiving bevacizumab chemotherapy after colonic stenting. In addition, several pathological analyses have suggested a negative oncological impact of colonic stenting. In contrast, many recent studies have demonstrated that colonic stenting for OLCC does not negatively impact the safety of chemotherapy or long-term oncological outcomes. The updated version of the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy guidelines released in 2020 included colonic stenting as a BTS for OLCC as a recommended treatment. It should be noted that the experience of endoscopists is involved in determining technical and clinical success rates and possibly oncological outcomes. This review discusses the positive and negative impacts of colonic stenting on OLCC treatment, particularly in terms of oncology.

Aqueous Povidone-Iodine Versus Normal Saline For Intraoperative Wound Irrigation on The Incidence of Surgical Site Infection in Clean-Contaminated Wounds After Gastroenterological Surgery: A Single-Institute, Prospective, Blinded-Endpoint, Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: This trial evaluated the superiority of intraoperative wound irrigation (IOWI) with aqueous povidone-iodine (PVP-I) compared with that with saline for reducing the incidence of surgical site infection (SSI). BACKGROUND: IOWI with aqueous PVP-I is recommended for the prevention of SSI by the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, although the evidence level is low. METHODS: This single institute in Japan, prospective, randomized, blinded-endpoint trial was conducted to assess the superiority of IOWI with aqueous PVP-I in comparison with IOWI with saline for reducing the incidence of SSI in clean-contaminated wounds after gastroenterological surgery. Patients 20 years or older were assessed for eligibility, and the eligible participants were randomized at a 1:1 ratio using a computer-generated block randomization. In the study group, IOWI was performed for 1 minute with 40 mL of aqueous 10% PVP-I before skin closure. In the control group, the procedure was performed with 100 mL of saline. Participants, assessors, and analysts were masked to the treatment allocation. The primary outcome was the incidence of incisional SSI in the intention-to-treat set. RESULTS: Between June 2019 and March 2022, 941 patients were randomized to the study group (473 patients) or the control group (468 patients). The incidence of incisional SSI was 7.6% in the study group and 5.1% in the control group (risk difference 0.025, 95% CI -0.006 to 0.056; risk ratio 1.484, 95% CI 0.9 to 2.448; P =0.154). CONCLUSION: The current recommendation of IOWI with aqueous PVP-I should be reconsidered.

Mid-term Efficacy of Local Repair Using Modified Altemeier Technique for Stomal Prolapse: A Case Series.

INTRODUCTION:  Stomal prolapse (SP) is characterized by full-thickness protrusion of the bowel through the stoma site. The surgical procedures for SP include local repair, abdominal wall fixation, and stoma relocation. However, previous reports were mostly case reports or case series with a small number of patients and lacked long-term results. A modified Altemeier technique (MAT) has been used for the local repair of SP in our institution, and this study aimed to evaluate its mid-term efficacy. METHODS:  We reviewed patients who underwent MAT for SP between August 2013 and December 2020. The variables included patient characteristics, type of stoma, indications of stoma creation, the time interval from stoma creation to prolapse, site of prolapse, reasons for SP surgery, perioperative variables, complications during SP surgery, and length of follow-up. Recurrence of SP was defined as the need for change in stoma care or re-protrusion of the stoma by more than 5 cm in length. RESULTS:  Ten patients were included in this study. The median age at the time of SP surgery was 71.5 years. The indications of stoma creation included unresectable or recurrent intra-abdominal malignancies in four patients, diverting ileostomy with rectal cancer surgery in two, transverse colon cancer in one, gastric and rectal cancer in one, rectovaginal fistula in one, and non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia in one. The median interval from stoma creation to prolapse was 2.5 months. Six patients underwent elective SP surgery, and four patients underwent emergency surgery for incarcerated prolapse. The median operative time was 75.5 min. Postoperative complications that included transient mucosal ischemia and subcutaneous abscess occurred in one patient. There were four recurrences (40%), and the median time interval from surgery to recurrence was 4.5 months. Two patients underwent repeated MAT, one of whom underwent stomal reversal with laparotomy for re-recurrence. The median follow-up duration was 19 months. CONCLUSION:  MAT for SP is associated with a high recurrence rate in mid-term follow-up.

Indications and Outcomes of a Hybrid Method Combining Laparoscopic and Anterior Approaches for Inguinal Hernia Repair.

Introduction Surgery for complex inguinal hernia (IH) (recurrent IH or IH after radical prostatectomy (RP)) may be difficult because of the presumed scar or adhesion in the retropubic space. A hybrid method combining the laparoscopic and anterior approaches (HLAA) in a bidirectional surgical technique may be an option in complex IH cases. Methods Patients at our institution who underwent IH repair for complex IH using HLAA from April 2018 to November 2019 were included. We retrospectively evaluated the patient characteristics, IH diagnosis, intraoperative variables, complications, and hernia recurrence during the follow-up period. Results Twenty patients were involved in this study. Seven patients underwent hLAA for recurrent IH, whereas the remaining 13 underwent hLAA for IH after RP. Five patients had bilateral IH, all of whom had IH after RP. The type of IH was lateral in 21 patients, medial in six patients, and lateral and medial in two patients. Hernia repair was performed using a patch alone in two patients and a plug and patch in 18 patients. Seroma or hematoma was observed in five patients, and one patient experienced chronic pain. No hernia recurrence was observed during the median follow-up period of 24 months. Conclusion hLAA could facilitate precise diagnosis and intraoperative confirmation of repair for recurrent IH and IH after RP. The intraoperative findings and the cause of recurrence can be easily shared among surgeons in hLAA. Further investigations are necessary to determine the long-term efficacy of hLAA in a larger cohort.

Modified keyhole plus technique with partial release of posterior rectus sheath for parastomal hernia repair after ileal conduit.

Parastomal hernia (PH) is a common complication of ileal conduit diversions. The Sugarbaker technique has a lower recurrence rate than the keyhole (KH) technique and is typically preferred. However, it may not be feasible in some cases because of anatomical features including the length of the conduit and torsion of the ureter. An 80-year-old woman with complaints of abdominal distention was diagnosed with PH 5 years after radical cystectomy. Computed tomography revealed a 90 × 20-mm muscular layer defect on the cranial side of the ileal conduit. Therefore, we performed the KH technique with intracorporeal closure of the defect using a relief incision of the posterior rectus sheath, avoiding the possibility of torsion of the ureteral ileal anastomosis. No hernia recurrence was observed at postoperative 10 months. The proposed KH plus technique may be an effective method for PH after ileal conduit diversion, thus preventing urinary complications.

Overexpression of satellite RNAs in heterochromatin induces chromosomal instability and reflects drug sensitivity in mouse cancer cells.

Overexpression of satellite RNAs in heterochromatin induces chromosomal instability (CIN) through the DNA damage response and cell cycle checkpoint activation. Although satellite RNAs may be therapeutic targets, the associated mechanisms underlying drug sensitivity are unknown. Here, we determined whether satellite RNAs reflect drug sensitivity to the topoisomerase I inhibitor camptothecin (CPT) via CIN induction. We constructed retroviral vectors expressing major satellite and control viruses, infected microsatellite stable mouse colon cancer cells (CT26) and MC38 cells harboring microsatellite instability, and assessed drug sensitivity after 48 h. Cells overexpressing satellite RNAs showed clear features of abnormal segregation, including micronuclei and anaphase bridging, and elevated levels of the DNA damage marker γH2AX relative to controls. Additionally, overexpression of satellite RNAs enhanced MC38 cell susceptibility to CPT [half-maximal inhibitory concentration: 0.814 µM (control) vs. 0.332 µM (MC38 cells with a major satellite), p = 0.003] but not that of CT26. These findings imply that MC38 cells, which are unlikely to harbor CIN, are more susceptible to CIN-induced CPT sensitivity than CT26 cells, which are characterized by CIN. Furthermore, CPT administration upregulated p53 levels but not those of p21, indicating that overexpression of major satellite transcripts likely induces CPT-responsive cell death rather than cellular senescence.

Prophylactic use of pegfilgrastim enables the management of severe neutropenia without dose delays in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated with TAS-102 plus bevacizumab.

Combined treatment with bevacizumab and trifluridine/tipiracil (TAS-102) leads to an increased chance of survival in patients with refractory metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC); however, this treatment is associated with an increased frequency of severe neutropenia (number of neutrophils <1,000), which should ideally be managed without dose delays. The present study provided a retrospective review of 35 patients with mCRC, and aimed to elucidate the benefits of prophylactic pegfilgrastim for the treatment of severe neutropenia. Patients received TAS-102 (35 mg/m2) orally twice daily on days 1-5 and 8-12 of each 28-day treatment cycle, along with intravenous bevacizumab (5 mg/kg) on days 1 and 15. Moreover, the patients received 3.6 mg pegfilgrastim on day 15 of each cycle. The incidence of adverse events (AEs), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were assessed. In the first and subsequent cycles, 23 and 12 patients, respectively, received pegfilgrastim. The most common AE experienced was grade 3/4 neutropenia (8 patients; 22.9%). Among these 8 patients, 6 (17.1%) and 3 (8.6%) exhibited neutropenia prior to receiving pegfilgrastim or following discontinuation of pegfilgrastim administration, respectively. Moreover, 1 individual among these 8 patients (2.9%) demonstrated grade 3 neutropenia both prior to receiving pegfilgrastim and following discontinuation of pegfilgrastim. A total of 2 patients (5.7%) exhibited grade 3 bone pain, which prevented sustainable administration of pegfilgrastim and resulted in grade 3 neutropenia. Dose delays and dose reduction of TAS-102 due to neutropenia were required in 5 (14.3%) and 2 (5.7%) patients, respectively, during the treatment period. None of the patients exhibited severe neutropenia during chemotherapy after pegfilgrastim administration, thereby preventing dose delays and dose reduction of TAS-102. The relative dose intensity was 96.8% (65.0-100.0%), and the DCR was 54.3%. The median PFS and median OS were 4.4 and 14.9 months, respectively. In conclusion, prophylactic pegfilgrastim may facilitate the management of severe neutropenia without dose delays in patients with mCRC treated with TAS-102 plus bevacizumab.

Laparoscopic repair of suprapubic incisional hernia using a modified transabdominal partial extraperitoneal technique.

INTRODUCTION: Herein, we describe a novel technique for suprapubic incisional hernia repair using a modified transabdominal partial extraperitoneal technique in four patients. MATERIALS AND SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: We implemented four-trocar placement to achieve a coaxial setting for the pubic bone. The pubic bone and Cooper's ligament were exposed by an incision dorsal to the hernial orifice, and the bladder was mobilized as an inferior peritoneal flap. The retropubic space was dissected approximately 5 cm from the hernial defect and this was closed with an intracorporeal non-absorbable barbed suture. A mesh was introduced into the intra-abdominal cavity, positioned to cover the closed defect, and tied to Cooper's ligament, the pubic bone, and rectus muscles. The dissected peritoneal flap was reattached to the abdominal wall by tacking and suturing. DISCUSSION: The modified transabdominal partial extraperitoneal technique for suprapubic incisional hernia repair may contribute to decreased recurrence and seroma formation.

Anal fistula metastasis of rectal cancer after neoadjuvant therapy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Anal metastasis of colorectal cancer is very rare and may present synchronously or metachronously, regardless of pre-existing anal diseases. We report a case of anal fistula metastasis after completion of neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer, followed by surgical resection of the primary tumor and metastatic lesion. CASE PRESENTATION: A 50-year-old man was diagnosed with rectal cancer located 5 cm from the anal verge, with a clinical stage of cT3N0M0. He denied any medical or surgical history, and physical examination revealed no perianal disease. He underwent preoperative chemoradiation therapy (CRT) consisting of a tegafur/gimeracil/oteracil potassium (S-1)-based regimen with 45 Gy of radiation. After completion of CRT, computed tomography (CT) revealed the primary tumor's partial response, but a liver mass highly suggestive of metastasis was detected. This mass was later diagnosed as cavernous hemangioma 3 months after CRT initiation. He then underwent and completed six cycles of consolidation chemotherapy with a capecitabine-based regimen. Subsequent colonoscopy revealed the complete response of the primary tumor, but CT showed thickening of the edematous rectal wall. Therefore, we planned to perform low anterior resection as a radical surgery. However, he presented with persistent anal pain after the last chemotherapy, and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a high-intensity mass behind the anus, suggestive of an anal fistula. We considered the differential diagnosis of a benign anal fistula or implantation metastasis into the anal fistula. Fistulectomy was performed, and a pathological diagnosis of tubular adenocarcinoma, suggestive of implantation metastasis, was made. Thereafter, we performed laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection. Histopathological examination revealed well-differentiated adenocarcinoma, ypT2N0, with a grade 2 therapeutic effect. Subsequent immunohistochemistry of the resected anal fistula showed a CDX-2-positive, CK20-positive, CK7-negative, and GCDFP-15 negative tumor, with implantation metastasis. There was no cancer recurrence 21 months after the radical surgery. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of anal fistula metastasis after neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer in a patient without a previous history of anal disease. If an anal fistula is suspected during or after neoadjuvant therapy, physical and radiological assessment, differential diagnosis, and surgical intervention timing for fistula must be carefully discussed.

Impact of sarcopenia on surgical and oncologic outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to evaluate the impact of sarcopenia on short- and long-term outcomes for laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery. METHODS: Study participants were 209 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for any stage of colorectal cancer between 2016 and 2017. Skeletal muscle indices were calculated with preoperative computed tomography. Patients were divided into sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic groups based on index cut-off values and variables were compared. RESULTS: The prevalence of sarcopenia was 41.1%. Sarcopenic patients experienced shorter operative times and a lower incidence of surgical site infections; however, the incidence of severe postoperative complications and readmission were increased for this group. Although the 3-year disease-free survival rate was not statistically different between groups, sarcopenic patients had a significantly worse 3-year overall survival rate compared with than the non-sarcopenic group. CONCLUSION: Sarcopenia has both favorable and unfavorable effects on patients who underwent laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery.

Obstructive and secretory complications of diverting ileostomy.

This review aimed to highlight the etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of obstructive and secretory complications associated with diverting ileostomy (DI). Obstructive complications at the stoma site are termed stoma outlet obstruction (SOO) or stoma-related obstruction (SRO). The incidence of SOO/SRO is 5.4%-27.3%, and the risk factors are multifactorial; however, the configuration of the stoma limb and the thickness of the rectus abdominis muscle (RAM) may be of particular concern. Trans-stomal tube decompression is initially attempted with a success rate of 33%-86%. A thick RAM may carry the risk of recurrence. Surgical refinement, including a wider incision of the anterior sheath and adequate stoma limb length, avoids tension and immobility and may decrease SOO/SRO. Secretory complications of DI are termed high output stoma (HOS). Persistent HOS lead to water and sodium depletion, and secondary hyperaldosteronism, resulting in electrolyte imbalances, such as hypomagnesemia. The incidence of HOS is 14%-24%, with an output of 1000-2000 mL/d lasting up to three days. Treatment of HOS is commenced after excluding postoperative complications or enteritis and includes fluid intake restriction, antimotility and antisecretory drug therapies, and magnesium supplementation. Intensive monitoring and surveillance programs have been successful in decreasing readmissions for dehydration.

Early peritoneal metastasis after laparoscopic incisional hernia repair secondary to colon cancer resection: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: and importance: We report a case of a patient who developed early peritoneal metastasis after laparoscopic incisional hernia repair secondary to curative colon cancer resection. CASE PRESENTATION: A 77-year-old woman underwent ileocecal resection with open laparotomy for locally advanced cecal cancer. The pathological diagnosis was adenocarcinoma with T3N2aM0. Three months after the surgery, she developed incisional hernia at the midline incision site. After the completion of adjuvant chemotherapy, surveillance computed tomography (CT) showed no cancer recurrence. Her abdominal discomfort persisted because of incisional hernia, and thus we performed laparoscopic incisional hernia repair using the intraperitoneal onlay mesh technique at 11 months after the initial surgery.Five months after incisional hernia repair, CT showed multiple liver and peritoneal metastases. She was started on systemic chemotherapy. Two days after the first therapeutic infusion, she developed small bowel obstruction. We decided to perform palliative surgery with intestinal bypass. Exploratory laparoscopy revealed that the implanted mesh for incisional hernia repair was completely covered with multiple nodules of peritoneal metastasis. Two months after the bypass surgery, she resumed her chemotherapy, but CT showed significant progression of all recurrent lesions. She did not wish to continue further chemotherapy and decided to receive the best supportive care. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: This case may raise important clinical questions regarding the indication and timing of incisional hernia repair for patients who are at high risk of cancer recurrence. CONCLUSION: Incisional hernia repair must be performed in the absence of any possibility of cancer recurrence, particularly in the earlier follow-up period.