The preperitoneal memory-ring patch for inguinal hernia: a prospective multicentric feasibility study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility, the reproducibility, the safety and the efficacy of a recently introduced preperitoneal memory-ring patch (Polysoft, Davol Inc., C.R. Bard Inc., Crawley, UK) by a prospective multicentric observational study. METHODS: We performed 235 unilateral groin hernia repairs in 200 consecutive patients during a 12-month period. Patients were operated by three different surgeons in two different centres. Pre- and intraoperative data, as well as postoperative complications, were prospectively recorded. RESULTS: Two hundred patients, with a mean age of 55.4 years, were operated for primary or recurrent unilateral groin hernias. The mean operation time for unilateral hernia repair was 22 min (range 14-37 min). Seventy-one patients (35.5%) were operated in an ambulatory setting. Considering pain scores, we observed a preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score of 1.4 (range 0-3.7). After 24 h, 3 weeks and 6 months, VAS was 4.2 (0.5-6.9), 1.7 (0-2.0) and 0.1 (0-1.5), respectively. The follow-up was more than 18 months in all patients (range 19-31 months). In total, three patients were diagnosed with a recurrence and were reoperated by an anterior Lichtenstein repair with large-pore mesh. CONCLUSION: This transinguinal minimally invasive preperitoneal mesh repair is reproducible, easy to perform and safe with acceptable mid-term results. These elements, together with a minimal superficial dissection in the inguinal canal, preperitoneal mesh placement and the absence of fixation, are possible elements to reduce acute and chronic postoperative pain compared to other open and also laparoscopic techniques that have to be proven in larger (randomised) trials.

Intraoperative high-dose-rate brachytherapy (IBT) for locally unresectable intraabdominal malignancy.

PURPOSE: Intraoperative high-dose-rate brachytherapy (IBT) has been successfully used in locally advanced unresectable intraabdominal malignancy. We retrospectively evaluated the safety, feasibility, and general outcome of IBT following cytoreductive surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: After radical resection, the target area to be treated by IBT was determined jointly by the surgeon and the radiation oncologist. A silicon template was used to position parallel hollow catheters spaced 1 cm apart against the area of interest. IBT doses were prescribed at 1 cm depth from the template surface and calculated using standard plans. Radiation was administered in a dedicated shielded room. RESULTS: Between August 2001 and February 2006, 10 patients (colorectal cancer n = 6, cervix cancer n = 1, extramedullar plasmocytoma n = 1, liposarcoma n = 1 and sacrococcygeal teratocarcinoma n = 1) were treated. The mean delivered IBT dose was 8 Gy (range 7.5-20). No postoperative mortality was seen, while major complications developed in one (10%) patient with a rectovaginal fistula and intraabdominal abscess. Five of the six colorectal cancer patients developed local recurrence while 3 also developed distant metastases. The mean disease-free and overall survival in this group was 8.5 months (range 4-15) and 25.5 months (range 10-48) respectively. Palliation of symptoms was observed in 89 % of cases. CONCLUSION: IBT combined with debulking surgery is feasible and can be safely performed. While cure is rarely achieved, IBT offers the potential to prolong local control and survival in locally unresectable intraabdominal cancer. Therefore, IBT can be considered as a valuable adjuvant in the therapeutic and palliative armamentarium in these selected patients.