Outcomes of posterior sheath supplementation with Vicryl mesh in TAR-a single-center study.

INTRODUCTION: In the Transversus Abdominis Release (TAR) procedure, ideally, the posterior sheath is completely reapproximated to establish an interface isolating the polypropylene mesh from visceral contents. When primary closure of the posterior sheath is unachievable, Vicryl mesh is commonly used to supplement the posterior sheath closure and an uncoated polypropylene mesh is placed superficial to the Vicryl mesh. The long-term implications of utilizing Vicryl mesh as an antiadhesive barrier are poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to assess our outcomes when utilizing Vicryl mesh to supplement the posterior sheath defects when placed underneath polypropylene mesh in patients undergoing posterior component separation. METHODS: Adult patients who underwent VHR with concurrent TAR procedure with a permanent synthetic mesh and posterior sheath supplementation with Vicryl mesh in the Cleveland Clinic Center for Abdominal Core Health between January 2014 and December 2022 were queried retrospectively from a prospectively collected database in the Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative. We evaluated 30-day wound morbidity, perioperative complications, long-term mesh-related complications, and pragmatic hernia recurrence. RESULTS: 53 patients who underwent TAR procedure with posterior sheath supplementation using Vicryl mesh and had a minimum 12-month follow-up were identified. Of the 53 patients, 94.3% presented with recurrent hernias, 73.6% had a midline hernia, 7.5% had a flank hernia, and 18.9% had concurrent parastomal hernia. The mean hernia width was 24.9 cm (± 8.8 cm). No Vicryl mesh-related operative complications were identified in our study, with no instances of mesh erosion, fistulas, or interventions for small bowel obstruction. Skin necrosis requiring reoperations was observed in three patients (5.7%), leading to permanent mesh excision in two cases (3.8%) without intraabdominal visceral involvement. Throughout the 12-month follow-up, 23 incidences (43.4%) of surgical site occurrences (SSOs) and surgical site occurrences requiring procedural intervention (SSOPI) were documented. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that posterior sheath supplementation with Vicryl mesh is a feasible approach to achieve posterior sheath closure in challenging abdominal wall reconstruction cases. Given the absence of notable mesh-related complications and a similar hernia recurrence rate to cases without posterior sheath supplementation, Vicryl mesh can be used to safely achieve posterior sheath closure in complex reconstructions with insufficient native tissue.

Outcomes of complex abdominal wall reconstruction in patients with connective tissue disorders: a single center experience.

INTRODUCTION: Individuals diagnosed with connective tissue disorders (CTD) are known to be predisposed to incisional hernia formation. However, there is a scarcity of data on outcomes for these patients undergoing hernia repair. We sought to describe our outcomes in performing abdominal wall reconstructions in these complex patients. METHODS: Adult patients with CTD undergoing open, elective, posterior component separation with permanent synthetic mesh at our institution from January 2018 to October 2022 were queried from a prospectively collected database in the Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative. We evaluated 30-day wound morbidity, perioperative complications, long-term hernia recurrence, and patient-reported quality of life. RESULTS: Twelve patients were identified. Connective tissue disorders included Marfan's n = 7 (58.3%), Loeys-Dietz syndrome n = 2 (16.7%), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus n = 2 (16.7%), and Scleroderma n = 1 (8.3%). Prior incisions included three midline laparotomies and nine thoracoabdominal, mean hernia width measured 14 cm, and 9 were recurrent hernias. Surgical site occurrences (SSOs) were observed in 25% of cases, and 16.7% necessitated procedural intervention. All twelve patients were available for long-term follow-up, with a mean of 34 (12-62) months. There were no instances of reoperation or mesh excision related to the TAR procedure. One patient developed a recurrence after having his mesh violated for repair of a new visceral aneurysm. Mean HerQLes scores at 1 year were 70 and 89 at ≥ 2 years; Mean scaled PROMIS scores were 30.7 at 1 year and 36.3 at ≥ 2 years. CONCLUSION: Ventral hernia repair with TAR is feasible in patients with connective tissue disorder and can be a suitable alternative in patients with large complex hernias.

Can surgeons accurately identify mesh type when interpreting computed tomography scans after ventral hernia repair?

BACKGROUND: Recurrent ventral hernia repair can be challenging due to scarred tissue planes and the increasing complexity of disease related to multiple recurrences. Given the challenges of acquiring complete and accurate prior operative reports, surgeons often rely on computed tomography (CT) scans to obtain information and plan for re-operation. Still, the contribution of CT scans and the ability of surgeons to interpret them is controversial. Previously, we examined the ability of surgeons to determine prior operative techniques based on CT scans. Here, we assessed the accuracy of expert abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR) surgeons in identifying the type of prior mesh using CT imaging. METHODS: A total of 22 highly experienced AWR surgeons were asked to evaluate 21 CT scans of patients who had undergone open ventral hernia repair with bilateral transversus abdominis release utilizing mesh. The surgeons were required to identify the mesh type from a multiple-choice selection. Additionally, negative controls (patients without a history of prior laparotomy) and positive controls (patients with laparotomy but no ventral hernia repair) were incorporated. The accuracy of the surgeons and interrater reliability was calculated. RESULTS: The accuracy rate of the surgeons in correctly identifying the mesh type was 46%, with heavy-weight synthetic mesh (HWSM) being identified only 35.4% of the time, Strattice mesh and medium-weight synthetic mesh (MWSM) were identified at 46.3%, and 51.8%, respectively. The interrater reliability analysis found a moderate level of agreement 0.428 (95% CI 0.356-0.503), and the repeatability measure was poor-0.053 (95% CI 0-0.119); this indicates that surgeons cannot reliably replicate the identification process. CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons' ability to accurately identify the type of previous mesh using CT scans is poor. This study underscores the importance of documenting the type of mesh used in the operative report and the need for standardized operative notes to improve the accuracy and consistency of documentation.

Analysis of retromuscular drain output and postoperative outcomes for heavyweight versus mediumweight polypropylene mesh following open ventral hernia repair.

PURPOSE: Heavyweight polypropylene (HWPP) mesh is thought to increase inflammatory response and delay tissue integration compared to mediumweight (MWPP). Reactive fluid volume (i.e., drain output) may be a reasonable surrogate for integration. We hypothesized that daily drain output is higher with HWPP compared to MWPP in open retromuscular ventral hernia repair (VHR). METHODS: This is a post-hoc analysis of a multicenter, randomized clinical trial conducted March 2017-April 2019 comparing MWPP and HWPP for VHR. Retromuscular drain output in milliliters was measured at 24-h intervals up to postoperative day seven. Univariate analyses compared differences in daily drain output and time to drain removal. Multivariable analyses compared total drain output and wound morbidity within 30 days and hernia recurrence at 1 year. RESULTS: 288 patients were included; 140 (48.6%) HWPP and 148 (51.4%) MWPP. Daily drain output for days 1-3 was higher for HWPP vs. MWPP (total volume: 837.8 mL vs. 656.5 mL) (p < 0.001), but similar on days 4-7 (p > 0.05). Median drain removal time was 5 days for both groups. Total drain output was not predictive of 30-day wound morbidity (p > 0.05) or hernia recurrence at 1 year (OR 1, p = 0.29). CONCLUSION: While HWPP mesh initially had higher drain outputs, it rapidly returned to levels similar to MWPP by postoperative day three and there was no difference in clinical outcomes. We believe that drains placed around HWPP mesh can be managed similarly to MWPP mesh.

Cannabis smoking and abdominal wall reconstruction outcomes: a propensity score-matched analysis.

PURPOSE: Despite increasing use of cannabis, literature on perioperative effects is lagging. We compared active cannabis-smokers versus non-smokers and postoperative wound morbidity and reoperations following open abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR). METHODS: Patients who underwent open, clean, AWR with transversus abdominis release and retromuscular synthetic mesh placement at our institution between January 2014 and May 2022 were identified using the Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative database. Active cannabis-smokers were 1:3 propensity matched to non-smokers based on demographics and comorbidities. Wound complications, 30 day morbidity, pain (PROMIS 3a-Pain Intensity), and hernia-specific quality of life (HerQles) were compared. RESULTS: Seventy-two cannabis-smokers were matched to 216 non-smokers. SSO (18% vs 17% p = 0.86), SSI (11.1% vs 9.3%, p = 0.65), SSOPI (12% vs 12%, p = 0.92), and all postoperative complications (46% vs 43%, p = 0.63) were similar between cannabis-smokers and non-smokers. Reoperations were more common in the cannabis-smoker group (8.3% vs 2.8%, p = 0.041), driven by major wound complications (6.9% vs 3.2%, p = 0.004). No mesh excisions occurred. HerQles scores were similar at baseline (22 [11, 41] vs 35 [14, 55], p = 0.06), and were worse for cannabis-smokers compared to non-smokers at 30 days (30 [12, 50] vs 38 [20, 67], p = 0.032), but not significantly different at 1 year postoperatively (72 [53, 90] vs 78 [57, 92], p = 0.39). Pain scores were worse for cannabis-smokers compared to non-smokers at 30 days postoperatively (52 [46, 58] vs 49 [44, 54], p = 0.01), but there were no differences at 6 months or 1 year postoperatively (p > 0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: Cannabis smokers will likely experience similar complication rates after clean, open AWR, but should be counseled that despite similar wound complication rates, the severity of their wound complications may be greater than non-smokers.

Stopping prehospital chlorhexidine skin wash does not increase wound morbidity after incisional hernia repair: results of a 4-year quality improvement initiative.

BACKGROUND: Prehospital chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) skin washes are used to prevent wound complications, but little evidence supports this practice in hernia surgery. A propensity-matched retrospective review published by our group in 2016 found that prehospital CHG was associated with an increased risk of surgical site occurrences (SSO) and surgical site infections (SSI) after ventral hernia repair. Prehospital CHG was, therefore, abandoned by three of five surgeons at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation (CCF) by April 2017. We aimed to determine if discontinuation of prehospital CHG affected wound morbidity rates after incisional hernia repair. METHODS: The Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative was queried for all patients who underwent open, clean incisional hernia repairs with 30-day follow-up from 2014 to 2019. Using an interrupted time series (ITS) analysis model adjusted for group and mean propensity score, wound morbidity before and after April 1, 2017 (start of Q2) was compared between three groups: CCF surgeons who abandoned prehospital CHG (Group 1), CCF surgeons who continued using prehospital CHG (Group 2), and non-CCF surgeons using prehospital CHG (Group 3). Outcomes included rates of SSOs, SSIs, and surgical site occurrences requiring procedural intervention (SSOPI) at 30 days. RESULTS: In total, 4276 patients were included in the analysis (Group 1: 339 before Q2 vs 673 after Q2; Group 2: 211 before Q2 vs 175 after Q2; Group 3: 1312 before Q2 vs 1566 after Q2). Rates of SSO, SSIs, and SSOPIs at 30 days were similar across all three groups before and after prehospital CHG discontinuation. CONCLUSION: Stopping prehospital CHG wash did not result in increased wound morbidity after open, clean, incisional hernia repair. We have abandoned CHG use in this context.

Retromuscular drain versus no drain in robotic retromuscular ventral hernia repair: a propensity score-matched analysis of the abdominal core health quality collaborative.

BACKGROUND: Drains may be placed during robotic retromuscular ventral hernia repair (rVHR) to decrease wound morbidity, but their use is controversial. We aimed to assess the impact of retromuscular drain placement on wound morbidity after robotic rVHR. METHODS: Patients with and without drains after robotic rVHR in the Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative (ACHQC) registry were compared using a propensity score-matched analysis. Outcomes included surgical site occurrences (SSO), surgical site infections (SSI), and surgical site occurrences requiring procedural interventions (SSOPI) at 30 days. RESULTS: Propensity score matching compared 580 patients with drains to 580 without drains. The groups were well matched with respect to hernia width (drain: 8.0 cm [IQR 6.0; 10.0] vs no drain: 8.0 cm [IQR 5.0; 10.0]; P = 0.399) and transversus abdominis release (drain: 409 (70.5%) vs no drain: 408 (70.3%); P = 0.949). At 30 days, patients with drains had fewer seromas than those without drains (22 (3.8%) vs 88 (15.2%); P < 0.0001). Rates of SSIs and SSOPIs were similar between the two groups at 30 days. Logistic regression analysis showed drain placement lowered the risk of an SSO compared to no drain placement (OR 0.32, CI 0.21-0.47; P < 0.0001). Hospital stay was longer for patients with drains than those without drains (2.0 days [IQR 1.0; 3.0] vs 1.0 day [IQR 1.0; 2.0], respectively; P < .0001). CONCLUSION: Drain placement during robotic rVHR is associated with decreased postoperative seroma occurrence.

Psychological disorders in patients with chronic postoperative inguinal pain.

PURPOSE: Chronic postoperative inguinal pain (CPIP), a complication of inguinal hernia repair, may negatively affect mental health. The rates of psychological disorders in patients with CPIP are unknown. We aimed to describe the prevalence of psychological disorders coinciding with CPIP. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed of all patients seen at the Cleveland Clinic Center for Abdominal Core Health's inter-disciplinary Chronic Groin Pain Clinic. This clinic is unique in that all patients are evaluated by a surgeon, a sonographer and radiologist, and a behavioral medicine psychologist. Patient psychological history and treatment, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) scores, pain catastrophizing, and trauma or abuse history were captured. RESULTS: From January 2018 to January 2022, 61 patients were evaluated and included in the study. Psychological treatment had been provided to 37 (61%) patients (present: 16 (27%), past: 21 (35%)). The most common psychological disorders represented were depression (N = 13, 22%), anxiety (N = 10, 17%), and post-traumatic stress disorder (N = 5, 8%). DASS scores indicated that 20 (33%) patients were reporting symptoms of depression and 16 (27%) patients were reporting symptoms of anxiety. Of the 40 patients assessed for pain catastrophizing, 28 (70%) reported rumination, 9 (23%) reported magnification, and 23 (58%) reported feelings of helplessness. A childhood history of emotional or physical abuse was reported by 11 (18%) patients. CONCLUSION: An inter-disciplinary groin pain clinic has revealed that patients with CPIP frequently have pre-existing complex psychosocial issues. A multi-specialty approach to CPIP may improve preoperative assessments and identify patients who may benefit from further psychological evaluation and treatment.

Long-term outcomes of seromas after ventral hernia repair: a propensity score-matched analysis of the Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative.

PURPOSE: Seromas can occur after ventral hernia repairs (VHR), but little is known about their relevance to short- and long-term outcomes. We aimed to determine if there is a correlation between seroma occurrence after clean VHR with mesh and patient-reported and clinical outcomes. METHODS: Patients with and without seromas in the Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative registry were compared using a propensity score-matched analysis. Outcomes included hospital readmissions, postoperative antibiotics use, and procedural interventions. Pain and hernia-related quality of life were assessed at 30 days and 1 year. Composite hernia recurrence rates were compared at 1 year. RESULTS: Propensity score matching compared 218 patients with a seroma to 649 without a seroma. At 30 days, patients with seromas were more likely to be readmitted (27 (12%) vs 28 (4%), respectively; P < 0.001), receive postoperative antibiotics (25 (12%) vs 18 (3%), respectively; P < 0.001), and undergo procedural interventions (41 (19%) vs 23 (4%), respectively; P < 0.001) than patients without seromas. Surgical site occurrences were more common in patients with seromas than those without seromas at 1 year (12 (11%) vs 12 (4%), respectively; P = 0.01).Pain and hernia-related quality of life were similar for both groups at 30 days and 1 year. Composite hernia recurrence rates were similar for both groups at 1 year (37 seroma (17%) vs 115 no seroma (18%); P = 0.80). CONCLUSION: Seromas after clean VHR with mesh were associated with short- and long-term morbidity, but they did not significantly impact quality of life or hernia recurrences at 1 year.