The transinguinal preperitoneal hernia correction vs Lichtenstein's technique; is TIPP top?

BACKGROUND: Chronic pain is the main drawback of the Lichtenstein procedure for inguinal hernia repair, with a reported incidence of 15-40%. The transinguinal pre-peritoneal (TIPP) technique seems to be associated with less chronic pain, comparable to the total extra peritoneal (TEP) technique. The aim of this study was to evaluate 3 years of TIPP and Lichtenstein experience since the start of our Hernia Center Brabant in January 2006. METHODS: Patient records of unilateral primary inguinal anterior hernia corrections (TIPP and Lichtenstein) performed since the opening of Hernia Center Brabant (2006-2008) were evaluated in a retrospective study. ASA class 4 and 5, <18 years, recurrences and bilateral hernias were excluded. In the TIPP technique, a Polysoft™ Hernia Patch was placed into the preperitoneal space using an anterior protocol led approach. The Lichtenstein technique was performed as described by Amid [Amid et al (1996) Eur J Surg 162:447-453] and modified with a soft mesh. One of the hernia surgeons decided peroperatively which technique to perform. Baseline characteristics and postoperative complications were assessed retrospectively. The attempted follow up period was 6 months. Chronic pain was assessed in both groups as mild (VAS 1-3), moderate (VAS 4-6) or severe (VAS 7-10). Chronic pain was defined in both groups as any pain sensation lasting longer than 3 months postoperatively, or when local injection of analgesia was necessary. Patients who did not come back because of chronic pain after regular follow up were regarded as free of pain. RESULTS: A total of 496 patients were included in this study; 225 TIPP and 271 Lichtenstein anterior inguinal hernia operations were analyzed. Data from one TIPP-patient were lost. Both groups were comparable with regard to baseline characteristics regarding age (p = 0.059), gender (p = 0.478) and ASA-classification (p = 0.104). TIPP: mean age 52.7 years, ASA-classification I: 54%, II: 36% and III: 5.3%. A total of 7.6% complications were assessed; recurrence (n = 1), bleeding (and re-operation) (n = 4); 10 patients (4.4%) experienced chronic pain. Persisting sensation loss occurred in 0.9%. Lichtenstein: mean age 57.3 years, ASA-classification I: 51%, II: 38% and III: 11%. A total of 8.5% complications were assessed; recurrence (n = 3), bleeding (and re-operation) (n = 3); 11 Lichtenstein patients (4.1%) experienced chronic pain. Persisting sensation loss occurred in 2.2%. Limitations of this retrospective study were incomplete follow up (31.3% had only one post operative visit 14 days after surgery) and these patients were further regarded as free of pain. Therefore, possible under-reporting of chronic pain could be present. The study was not double blind. CONCLUSION: This retrospective study design revealed no significantly better results for the TIPP procedure as compared to the Lichtenstein technique. The incidence of chronic pain reported in this retrospective study has been low in both groups since the opening of the Hernia Center Brabant. These results form the basis for a prospective randomized clinical trial comparing the TIPP and Lichtenstein techniques.

Spontaneous rupture of the oesophagus: Boerhaave's syndrome in 2008. Literature review and treatment algorithm.

OBJECTIVE: Boerhaave's syndrome is a spontaneous rupture of the oesophagus with a lack of diagnostic and treatment consistency in the literature. Therefore, we reviewed all published literature in order to design a treatment algorithm based on the literature. STUDY DESIGN: A systematic literature review written in the English language since 1975. RESULTS: We reviewed all known literature. Treatment of the Boerhaave syndrome was divided into three categories: conservative, endoscopic and surgical approach. The survival rate of all treatments was 75, 100 and 81%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Boerhaave's syndrome should be treated endoscopically when diagnosed within 48 h and when there are no signs of sepsis. However, when a patient is diagnosed within 48 h and has a septic profile, thoracotomy with hemifundoplication and pleural/mediastinal drainage should be performed; and in case of intra-abdominal leakage, a laparotomy for local repair should be performed. When a patient is diagnosed after 48 h, conservative treatment should be followed and only when a patient gets a septic profile is surgical treatment indicated.

[Diagnostic image (243). A woman with an epigastric mass and vomiting]. / Diagnose in beeld (243). Een vrouw met een zwelling in de bovenbuik en klachten van braken.

An 87-year-old woman presented with epigastric pain and vomiting. Abdominal examination revealed an epigastric mass of 10 by 15 cm. Computed tomography of the abdomen demonstrated protrusion of peritoneal contents through a large defect in the linea alba.

Revision of gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumours with CD117.

BACKGROUND: Tyrosinekinase inhibitors improve the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) and their diagnosis has been facilitated by recently developed immunohistochemical markers. It is hypothesised that in the past, the true incidence of GISTs has been underestimated. AIMS: To study the clinicopathological features of previously resected mesenchymal tumours of the gastrointestinal tract and determine the accuracy of previous diagnostic results. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with mesenchymal tumours of the gastrointestinal tract operated on between 1987 and 2002 were identified using medical and pathologic files. Immunohistochemical staining for CD117, CD34, desmin and S100 was performed, and diagnosis reviewed. RESULTS: Thirty-six mesenchymal tumours were reanalysed. Before revision, diagnosis of GIST was correctly made in only six cases. Supportive use of immunohistochemical markers for accurate diagnosis of the remaining 30 previously undefined mesenchymal tumours yielded 17 additional GISTs. Therefore, 23 of 36 (63%) gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumours were shown to be GISTs. CONCLUSIONS: The true incidence of GISTs has been underestimated. There is merit in reviewing the clinical diagnoses of all mesenchymal tumours of the gastrointestinal tract with modern immunohistochemical markers. This may enhance clinical decision making.