Analysis of outcome of Lichtenstein groin hernia repair by surgeons-in-training versus a specialized surgeon.

PURPOSE: Groin hernia repair is a common procedure in general surgery, and is taught to and performed by surgeons early in their training. The aim of this observational study was to compare hernia repair performance and results of surgical trainees with those of a specialized surgeon, to identify what factors may influence short and long-term outcome, and areas for improvement in surgical training. METHODS: A non-randomized parallel cohort study was designed; 200 Lichtenstein repairs in adult males were included, of which 96 were performed by surgical trainees. Patient characteristics, surgical experience, and operative data, including duration of procedural parts and surgical complexity, were noted at surgery. Postoperative complications, recurrence, chronic pain and residual symptoms were assessed at long-term follow-up after a median of 34.5 months. RESULTS: Surgical trainees required longer overall operative time, with a disproportionally longer time for mobilizing the sac and cord. They perceived exposure and mobilization as more difficult than the specialist, and also a greater demand on their own experience during surgery. The trainee repairs had a higher rate of postoperative complications (14.7% vs 5.0%) but recurrence rate was the same as for specialist repairs. At long-term follow-up, specialist repairs had higher symptom burden and more chronic pain. CONCLUSIONS: It was more efficient, but not necessarily better, to let a specialized surgeon perform the repairs. It seems likely that targeted training in dissection and mobilization could decrease level of perceived complexity and shorten the operative time required by surgical trainees.

Chronic pain after open inguinal hernia repair: a longitudinal self-assessment study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study was to assess the variation of self-reported pain over a period of 2 years in three groups of patients with no, moderate and severe pain at 3 months after primary open inguinal hernia repair. METHODS: In two cohorts of patients from 2004 (n = 272) and 2005 (n = 292) who had given a self-report of postoperative pain at 3 months, 79 randomly selected patients without pain (box visual analogue scale [VAS] level 10) and all patients with moderate (Box VAS level 7-9) and severe pain (Box VAS level 1-6), 91 and 9, respectively, were included in the case series. The self-assessments were repeated for all patients 1-1.5 and 2-2.5 years after surgery (November 2006). RESULTS: It was observed that moderate pain reappeared among the pain-free patients in 28 and 23% after 1-1.5 and 2-2.5 years, respectively. Of those patients with moderate pain at 3 months, 39 and 49% reported 'no pain' at 1-1.5 and 2-2.5 years, respectively, after surgery. A worsening from moderate pain to severe pain was reported by 22% of patients after 1-1.5 years and by 15% of patients after 2-2.5 years. Hernia recurrence (n = 3) was observed only in patients with increased pain. All nine patients with severe pain at 3 months reported less pain, but only one was pain-free at 2-2.5 years after surgery. CONCLUSION: The study shows that a significant proportion of the patients developed pain later than 3 months after the operation. It further points to a difference in pain evolvement in patients with moderate pain and those with severe postoperative pain at 3 months. Pain can increase in intensity from moderate to severe, both with and without the presence of a clinical recurrence.

Randomized clinical trial of groin hernia repair with titanium-coated lightweight mesh compared with standard polypropylene mesh.

BACKGROUND: Groin hernia repair is one of the commonest operations in general surgery. Existing techniques have very low and acceptable recurrence rates, but chronic pain and discomfort remain a problem for many patients. New mesh materials are being developed to increase biocompatibility, and the aim of this study was to compare a new titanium-coated lightweight mesh with a standard polypropylene mesh. METHODS: A randomized controlled single-centre clinical trial was designed, with the basic principle of one unit, one surgeon, one technique (Lichtenstein under general anaesthesia) and two meshes. Pain before and after surgery, and during convalescence (primary outcomes) was estimated in 317 patients. At 1-year clinical follow-up, recurrence, pain, discomfort and quality of life (secondary outcomes) were evaluated. RESULTS: Patients with the lightweight mesh returned to work after 4 days, compared with 6.5 days for the standard mesh (P = 0.040). The lightweight group returned to normal activity after 7 days, versus 10 days for the standard group (P = 0.005). There was no difference in postoperative pain or recurrence at the 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Patients with the lightweight mesh had a shorter convalescence than those with the standard heavyweight mesh. REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN36979348 (http://www.controlled-trials.com).

Prospective evaluation of 6895 groin hernia repairs in women.

BACKGROUND: Although 8 per cent of groin hernia repairs are performed in women, there is little published literature relating specifically to women. This study compared differences in outcome between women and men after groin hernia repair. METHODS: Data collected prospectively in the Swedish Hernia Register between 1992 and 2003 were analysed, including 6895 groin hernia repairs in women and 83 753 in men. RESULTS: A higher proportion of emergency operations was carried out in women (16.9 per cent) than men (5.0 per cent), leading to bowel resection in 16.6 and 5.6 per cent respectively. During reoperation femoral hernias were found in 41.6 per cent of the women who were diagnosed with a direct or indirect inguinal hernia at the primary operation. The corresponding proportion for men was 4.6 per cent. The hernia repair was not classified as a standard operation (e.g. Shouldice, Lichtenstein, Plug/Mesh, TAPP/TEP) in 38.2 per cent of women and 11.2 per cent of men. Women had a significantly higher risk of reoperation for recurrence than men, and techniques associated with the lowest risk for reoperation in men had the highest risk in women. CONCLUSION: A greater proportion of women than men require emergency groin hernia repair, with consequently higher rates of bowel resection, complications and death. Surgical techniques developed for use in men may put women at unnecessary risk.

Chronic rejection: insights from a novel immunosuppressive-free model of kidney transplantation.

The use of immunosuppressive drugs in models of chronic rejection may limit their usefulness for mechanistic studies. We have developed a new minor histocompatibility-mismatched rat kidney transplant model without the need for immunosuppression. Kidneys from LEW (RT1(l)) donors were transplanted to congenic WF.1L (RT1(l)) recipients and compared with the reversed strain combination and isogenic controls. Urinary protein excretion was measured serially in all recipients; kidneys were harvested 90, 120, and 180 d after transplantation for morphologic analysis and cytokine gene expression. In vitro lymphocytic reactivity and cytokine analysis of mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) culture supernatants by ELISA was also carried out. LEW into WF.1L kidney grafts developed proteinuria starting 120 d after transplantation and were associated with morphologic changes of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis together with interstitial cell infiltrates, upregulated gene expression of IL-1beta, IL-2, and TNF-alpha/-beta, as well as IL-2, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha production by lymphocytes in MLR culture supernatants. WF.1L kidneys transplanted into LEW recipients did not develop chronic rejection and had upregulation of Th2 cytokines, both within the allograft and in MLR supernatant of recipient lymphocytes cultured with WF.1L cells. Furthermore, these lymphocytes produced both Th1 and Th2 cytokines when cultured with WF cells, unlike lymphocytes from the LEW isografts, which produced Th1 cytokines when challenged with WF cells. These studies show that indirect allorecognition can cause strain-dependent chronic rejection associated with Th1-like cytokine production, whereas production of Th2 cytokines is associated with protection from the development of chronic rejection.

Influence of suture material and surgical technique on risk of reoperation after non-mesh open hernia repair.

BACKGROUND: Although mesh techniques are used with increasing frequency, sutured repair still has a place in groin hernia surgery. Studies relating suture material to recurrence rate have yielded conflicting results. The aim of the present study was to analyse the influence of suture material and sutured non-mesh technique on the risk of reoperation in open groin hernia repair using data from the Swedish Hernia Register. METHODS: The relative risk of reoperation after sutured repair using non-absorbable, late absorbable and early absorbable sutures was compared in multivariate analyses, taking into account known confounding factors. RESULTS: Between 1992 and 2000, 46,745 hernia repairs were recorded in the Swedish Hernia Register. Of these, 18,057 repairs were performed with open non-mesh methods and were included in the analysis. Using non-absorbable suture as reference, the relative risk of reoperation after repair with early absorbable suture and late absorbable suture was 1.50 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 1.22 to 1.83) and 1.03 (95 per cent c.i. 0.83 to 1.28) respectively. Using the Shouldice repair as reference, other sutured repairs were associated with a significantly higher relative risk of reoperation (1.22, 95 per cent c.i. 1.03 to 1.44). CONCLUSION: A non-absorbable or a late absorbable suture is recommended for open non-mesh groin hernia repair. The Shouldice technique was found to be superior to other open methods.

Is a dissection balloon beneficial in bilateral, totally extraperitoneal, endoscopic hernioplasty? A randomized, prospective, multicenter study.

SUMMARY: Laparoscopic hernioplasty has been criticized because of its technical complexity and increased costs. Disposable dissection balloons can be used to gain the initial working space in totally extraperitoneal endoscopic (TEP) hernioplasty, but this increases its cost. Forty-four men with bilateral, primary or recurrent inguinal hernias were randomized to undergo TEP with or without dissection balloon. There were two conversions to transabdominal preperitoneal hernioplasty, or open herniorrhaphy, in the group with balloon and four in the group without balloon. There was no difference in the postoperative morbidity or operation time between the two groups, and there were no major complications in either group. The recurrence rate was 4.3% in the group with the balloon and 7.1% in the group without the balloon. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups. Although our study population is too small to detect small differences between the groups, it seems that the use of a dissection balloon is not beneficial in a bilateral TEP.

Is a dissection balloon beneficial in totally extraperitoneal endoscopic hernioplasty (TEP)? A randomized prospective multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic hernioplasty has been criticized because of its technical complexity and increased costs. Disposable dissection balloons can be used to facilitate the creation of the initial working space in totally extraperitoneal endoscopic hernioplasty (TEP), but their use adds to the cost of the operation. METHODS: A total of 322 men with unilateral, primary, or recurrent inguinal hernias were randomized to undergo TEP with or without a dissection balloon. RESULTS: In the group with the balloon, three of 161 patients (2.5%) required conversion to transabdominal preperitoneal hernioplasty (TAPP), or open herniorraphy, whereas 17 of 161 patients (10.6%) were converted to TAPP or open herniorraphy in the group without the balloon (p = 0.002). The mean operation time was 55 min in the group with the balloon and 63 min in the group without the balloon (p = 0.004). There was no difference between them in postoperative morbidity, and there were no major complications in either group. The recurrence rate was 3.1% in the group with the balloon and 3.7 % in the group without the balloon (p = 0.8). CONCLUSION: The use of a dissection balloon in TEP reduces the conversion rate and may be especially beneficial early in the learning curve.

Mesh repair of parastomal hernias: new aspects of the Onlay technique.

When a hernia becomes symptomatic with pain, obstruction, or mechanical distortion, need for a repair is likely. In this short note are new aspects on the Onlay mesh repair technique of parastomal hernias presented. The satisfactory results achieved in 5 patients are reported. One recurrence required a further successful repair.

Laparoscopic hernia repair in patients with bilateral groin hernias.

OBJECTIVE: To compare outcome of unilateral and bilateral laparoscopic hernia repair. DESIGN: Prospective consecutive trial. SETTING: University hospital, Sweden. SUBJECTS: 380 patients who had unilateral hernias repaired laparoscopically and 64 patients who had bilateral hernias repaired. The median (range) age in the two groups was 56 (21-86) and 61 (30-85) years, respectively and the median (range) follow-up was 42 (24-58) months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Operating time, hospital stay, complications, and time to recovery. RESULTS: The median (range) operating time was 70 (25-240) minutes in the unilateral and in the bilateral group 113 (55-330) minutes. The complication rate, recurrence rate, and time to full recovery did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSION: The laparoscopic approach seems to be a good option for patients with bilateral inguinal hernias.

Audit and recurrence rates after hernia surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of quality assurance on the recurrence rate after hernia repair. DESIGN: A prospective longitudinal cohort study. SETTING: District hospital, Sweden. SUBJECTS: All (n = 1232) patients aged 15-80 years operated upon for inguinal or femoral hernia in Motala 1984, 1986-1988, 1990, and 1992-1994. INTERVENTION: A questionnaire enquiring about pain or a lump in the operated area was sent 3-6 years postoperatively to all patients, excluding those who had already been operated on for recurrence and those who had died. Selected cases were examined depending on the answers to the questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Recurrence rate estimated by adding already confirmed recurrences to those found at the clinical examination; reoperation for recurrence; hospital stay; and number of day cases. Cumulative incidence of reoperation was analysed by actuarial analysis of all patients operated on from 1986-1997. RESULTS: The recurrence rate decreased from 18% in 1984 and 1986 to 3% in 1993 and 1994. The reoperation rate for recurrence at three years was 10.8% (95% confidence interval, CI: 9.3 to 12.2%), 3.6% (2.6 to 4.4%) and 2.2% (1.7 to 2.7%) for patients operated on between 1986-1988, 1989-1991 and 1992-1997, respectively. Differences between the first and the second and between the first and the third period were both highly significant (p < 0.001) whereas the difference between the second and third period was not (p = 0.09). Mean hospital stay decreased from 3.5 days in 1984 to 0.9 days in 1994. CONCLUSION: By recording recurrence rate or its surrogate endpoint, reoperation rate for recurrence, or both, hospital stay, and number of day cases, and presenting these results to participating surgeons, we provided incentives to improve outcome. This has resulted in a rapid decrease in recurrence rate and a shortened hospital stay, thereby improving cost-effectiveness.

Cost-minimisation analysis of laparoscopic and open appendicectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the direct and indirect costs of laparoscopic and open appendicectomy. DESIGN: Randomised study. SETTING: University hospital, Sweden. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Total costs for a defined period of time for each option. RESULTS: 102 patients were randomised and 99 were included in the final analysis. All patients had completely recovered within two months of operation. Disposable extra material used for the laparoscopic operation and longer operating time raised its median cost by SEK 912 and 1785, respectively. The mean duration of hospital stay, period off work (indirect costs), and time to complete recovery did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic appendicectomy has higher direct costs than open operation and is not as cost-effective when the longterm outcome is the same in both groups.

[Laparoscopic sigmoid resection in diverticulitis]. / Laparoskopische Sigmaresektion bei Divertikulitis.

It is still difficult to determine the exact indication for a laparoscopic sigmoid resection for diverticular disease. Frequently, the severity of diverticulitis is not sufficiently defined. For this reason a modification of the Hinchey classification is proposed to which a stage II b for fistula formation and a differentiation between acute and chronic disease have been added. Another problem is the lack of criteria which define a "laparoscopic" resection. A sigmoid resection should be called "laparoscopic" if the mobilization of the sigmoid colon, the transsection of the mesenteric vein and artery and the mesentery itself and the distal transsection of the bowel are done laparoscopically. The resection of the bowel and the introduction of the anvil of the stapler device can be done extraabdominally, however, the anastomosis again should be performed laparoscopi-cally. A so defined sigmoid resection can be done in the chronic stage I. In the chronic stage II a there will be significant problems due to adhesion formation, and in the acute stages II a and II b as well as in the chronic stage II b a laparoscopic resection should not be attempted.

Reoperation as surrogate endpoint in hernia surgery. A three year follow-up of 1565 herniorrhaphies.

OBJECTIVE: Analysis of reoperation and recurrence rates three years after repair of groin hernias. DESIGN: Prospective audit by questionnaire and selective follow-up. SETTING: Eight Swedish hospitals. SUBJECTS: All groin hernia operations done during 1992 on patients between the ages of 15 and 80 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postoperative complications, reoperation for recurrence, and recurrence. RESULTS: During 1992, 1565 hernia operations were done. The postoperative complication rate was 8% (125/1565). At 36 months postoperatively 108 recurrences had already been reoperated on, six patients with recurrences were on the waiting list for reoperation and a further 36 recurrences had been detected at follow-up. The interhospital variation in recurrence rate ranged from 3% to 20%. Postoperative complications, recurrent hernia, direct hernia and hospital catchment area over 100000 inhabitants were all factors associated with an increased relative risk of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The recurrence rate exceeded the reoperation rate for recurrence by almost 40% which should be taken into account if the reoperation rate is used as the endpoint after repairs of groin hernia. An audit scheme, based on prospective recording, reoperation rate, and (periodic) calculation of the recurrence rate may be used to identify risk factors for recurrence and areas in need of improvement.

Hernia surgery in a defined population: a prospective three year audit.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a register of inguinal hernia surgery that allows audit and analyses of data from several centres. DESIGN: Prospective recording of data on a common protocol. SETTING: Eight Swedish hospitals. SUBJECTS: All groin hernia operations done for patients over 15 years old from January 1992 to December 1994. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Methods of repair, postoperative complications including mortality, day surgery rate, and reoperations for recurrence. RESULTS: During the three years studied 4879 hernia operations were undertaken in 4474 patients. Postoperative mortality within 30 days of operation for emergency and elective hernia repairs was 3.5% and 0.07%, respectively. Of all herniorrhaphies 798 (16%) were done for recurrences, 142 of these after operations between 1992 and 1994. At 24 months 4% of all operations had been redone because of recurrences with highly significant variations among hospitals ranging from 1.5% to 6.7%. Postoperative complications within 30 days after operation, direct hernia, recurrent hernia, and the use of absorbable sutures were associated with an increased risk of reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: A quality register recorded voluntarily can identify significant interhospital differences in outcome as well as variables associated with an increased risk of reoperation, thereby raising quality awareness and facilitating the process of improvement.

Abdominoperineal excision of the rectum--an endangered operation. Norman Nigro Lectureship.

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to test the efficacy of an extreme policy of sphincter conservation by combining precise total mesorectal excision with low stapling techniques and endoluminal lavage to guard against implantation. METHODS: A total of 136 consecutive operations for cancer below 5 cm from the anal verge has been prospectively documented and followed for a mean of 7.7 (range, 1-18) years. A total of 105 of the operations were anterior resections (77 percent), and 31 were abdominoperineal excisions (23 percent). RESULTS: The oncologic results in the 105 patients who underwent anterior resections appear greatly superior to those of the patients who underwent abdominoperineal excisions, although the number of abdominoperineal excisions was small (31). Actuarial local recurrence at six years for anterior resection and total mesorectal excision was 1 percent for 85 curative procedures and 4 percent for all cases (n = 100), compared with 33 and 47 percent for abdominoperineal excisions (n = 15 and 31). Only four recurrences were observed below the level of the levators, three in the wound of an abdominoperineal excision and one in a stapled anastomosis after a palliative excision. No cases of nodal metastasis in the ischiorectal fossa were observed. CONCLUSION: In a unit specializing in sphincter conservation, precise total mesorectal excision from above appears oncologically superior to abdominoperineal excision. Three-fourths of patients with carcinoma of the lower one-third of the rectum can be offered sphincter-conserving surgery, although temporary defunctioning is probably prudent in such cases. The wound of an abdominoperineal excision may be a prerequisite for perineal recurrence, which may often be caused by implantation.

Surgical outcome and cost-minimisation-analyses of laparoscopic and open hernia repair: a randomised prospective trial with one year follow up.

OBJECTIVE: To compare outcome and costs between laparoscopic and open hernia repair. DESIGN: Prospective randomised study. SETTING: One university and two district hospitals in Sweden. SUBJECTS: 200 men aged 25-75 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Operating time, hospital stay, complications, and time to recovery. A cost-minimisation-analysis was used in which the total costs were calculated for a defined period of time for each option. RESULT: The one year follow-up rate was 98%. Mean (SD) operation times in the laparoscopic and open groups were 72 (30) and 62 (25) minutes, respectively (p = 0.009). Hospital stay and complication rates did not differ between the groups. Among employees the mean (SD) periods off work in the laparoscopic and open groups were 10 (8) and 23 (21) days, respectively (p = 0.0001). The mean direct costs of the laparoscopic operation were increased by SEK 4037 (US$ 483) but the savings in indirect costs resulting from earlier return to work were SEK 11392 (US$ 1364). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic hernia repair gave the employed patients faster recovery and return to work, and was the most cost-effective strategy provided that both direct and indirect costs were included.

Laparoscopic bowel mobilization combined with intraoperative colonoscopic polypectomy in patients with an inaccessible polyp of the colon.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this report was to describe a simple technique suitable for polyps where circumstances of the bowel anatomy prevent complete access and control of the colonoscopic procedure. METHODS: By combining laparoscopic mobilization of the bowel with colonoscopic polypectomy, previously inaccessible polyps could be snared in two patients. RESULTS: Both patients had 3-cm large sessile adenomas in the sigmoid colon safely removed, and they returned home within a day. CONCLUSIONS: The described procedure increases the safety of the otherwise difficult polypectomy and also avoids laparotomy with enterotomy or bowel resection as the alternative.

Absorption profiles for polyethylene glycols after regional jejunal perfusion and oral load in healthy humans.

The study aimed at applying closed segmental intestinal perfusion with a multichannel tube (Loc-I-Gut) for studies of regional small bowel permeability to different-sized polyethylene glycols and to compare jejunal absorption with absorption after oral load in healthy subjects. Intestinal perfusion was performed in 10 healthy volunteers and recovery of (14)C-labeled polyethylene glycol 4000 was used to detect leakage. Absorption of polyethylene glycols 546-942 was measured as urinary recovery after perfusion and oral load, and as disappearance from the lumen during steady-state perfusion. Steady-state conditions were obtained during the second hour of perfusion. Absorption of polyethylene glycols during perfusion was size-selective for molecular weights 546-766, but not for 810-942. After oral load, absorption was size-selective throughout 546-942. Segmental perfusion with Loc-I-Gut may be used to study regional jejunal permeability. Our data support the hypothesis of a dual pore system for absorption of hydrophilic molecules in the human jejunum.

Transperitoneal or totally extraperitoneal approach in laparoscopic hernia repair: results of 491 consecutive herniorrhaphies.

Laparoscopic hernia surgery was introduced in this unit in May 1992. Up to November 1995, 426 patients with 491 inguinal and femoral hernias have undergone surgery. A transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) approach was used in 339 patients with 393 hernias. After June 1994 a totally extraperitoneal (TEP) technique was used in 87 patients with 98 hernias. This prospective nonrandomized study deals with the learning curve, complications, and early results. The mean (SD) follow-up times in the TAPP and TEP groups were 23 (9) and 7 (4) months, respectively. Mean operating times and hospital stays did not differ between the TAPP and TEP patients, but the period off work was shorter in the TEP group. Fifteen major complications, including one postoperative death, two bowel obstructions, one severe neuralgia, three trocar hernias, one epigastric artery bleeding episode, and seven recurrences, were recorded; all except one was in the TAPP group. The TEP operation may be the method of choice in laparoscopic hernia surgery.