Effects of the short stitch technique for midline abdominal closure on incisional hernia (ESTOIH): randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Incisional hernia remains a frequent problem after midline laparotomy. This study compared a short stitch to standard loop closure using an ultra-long-term absorbent elastic suture material. METHODS: A prospective, multicentre, parallel-group, double-blind, randomized, controlled superiority trial was designed for the elective setting. Adult patients were randomly assigned by computer-generated sequence to fascial closure using a short stitch (5 to 8 mm every 5 mm, USP 2-0, single thread HR 26 mm needle) or long stitch technique (10 mm every 10 mm, USP 1, double loop, HR 48 mm needle) with a poly-4-hydroxybutyrate-based suture material (Monomax®). Incisional hernia assessed by ultrasound 1 year after surgery was the primary outcome. RESULTS: The trial randomized 425 patients to short (n = 215) or long stitch technique (n = 210) of whom 414 (97.4 per cent) completed 1 year of follow-up. In the short stitch group, the fascia was closed with more stitches (46 (12 s.d.) versus 25 (7 s.d.); P < 0.001) and higher suture-to-wound length ratio (5.3 (2.2 s.d.) versus 4.0 (1.3 s.d.); P < 0.001). At 1 year, seven of 210 (3.3 per cent) patients in the short and 13 of 204 (6.4 per cent) patients in the long stitch group developed incisional hernia (odds ratio 1.97, 95 per cent confidence interval 0.77 to 5.05; P = 0.173). CONCLUSION: The 1-year incisional hernia development was relatively low with clinical but not statistical difference between short and long stitches. Registration number: NCT01965249 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).

Updated guideline for closure of abdominal wall incisions from the European and American Hernia Societies.

BACKGROUND: Incisional hernia is a frequent complication of abdominal wall incision. Surgical technique is an important risk factor for the development of incisional hernia. The aim of these updated guidelines was to provide recommendations to decrease the incidence of incisional hernia. METHODS: A systematic literature search of MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL was performed on 22 January 2022. The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network instrument was used to evaluate systematic reviews and meta-analyses, RCTs, and cohort studies. The GRADE approach (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) was used to appraise the certainty of the evidence. The guidelines group consisted of surgical specialists, a biomedical information specialist, certified guideline methodologist, and patient representative. RESULTS: Thirty-nine papers were included covering seven key questions, and weak recommendations were made for all of these. Laparoscopic surgery and non-midline incisions are suggested to be preferred when safe and feasible. In laparoscopic surgery, suturing the fascial defect of trocar sites of 10 mm and larger is advised, especially after single-incision laparoscopic surgery and at the umbilicus. For closure of an elective midline laparotomy, a continuous small-bites suturing technique with a slowly absorbable suture is suggested. Prophylactic mesh augmentation after elective midline laparotomy can be considered to reduce the risk of incisional hernia; a permanent synthetic mesh in either the onlay or retromuscular position is advised. CONCLUSION: These updated guidelines may help surgeons in selecting the optimal approach and location of abdominal wall incisions.

An incisional hernia results from a weakness of the abdominal wall muscles that allows fat from the inside or organs to bulge out. These hernias are quite common after abdominal surgery at the site of a previous incision. There is research that discusses different ways to close an incision and this may relate to the chance of hernia formation. The aim of this study was to review the latest research and to provide a guide for surgeons on how best to close incisions to decrease hernia rates. When possible, surgery through small incisions may decrease the risk of hernia formation. If small incisions are used, it may be better if they are placed away from areas that are already weak (such as the belly button). If the incision is larger than 1 cm, it should be closed with a deep muscle-fascia suture in addition to skin sutures. If there is a large incision in the middle of the abdomen, the muscle should be sutured using small stitches that are close together and a slowly absorbable suture should be used. For patients who are at higher risk of developing hernias, when closing the incision, the muscle layer can be strengthened by using a piece of (synthetic) mesh. There is no good research available on recovery after surgery and no clear guides on activity level or whether a binder will help prevent hernia formation.

[Diagnostic algorithm "FAI and sports hernia" : Results of the consensus meeting for groin pain in athletes]. / Diagnostik-Algorithmus Grenzbereich "FAI und Sportlerleiste" : Ergebnisse des Konsensustreffens Leistenschmerz beim Sportler.

As a result of the complexity and diversity of diseases in the region of the groin, differentiation of the various soft-tissue and bone pathologies remains a challenge for differential diagnosis in routine clinical practice. In the case of athletes with pain localized in the area of the groin, femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and athlete's groin must be considered as important causes of the groin pain, whereby the common occurrence of double pathologies further complicates diagnosis. Despite the importance of groin pain and its differential diagnoses in everyday clinical practice, there has been a lack of recognized recommendations for diagnostic procedure to date. To this end, a consensus meeting was held in February 2017, in which a group composed equally of groin and hip surgeons took part. With the formulation of recommendations and the establishment of a practicable diagnostic path, colleagues that are involved in treating such patients should be sensitized to this issue and the quality of the diagnosis of groin pain improved in routine clinical practice.

Influencing Factors on the Outcome in Female Groin Hernia Repair: A Registry-based Multivariable Analysis of 15,601 Patients.

OBJECTIVE: Based on an analysis of data from the Herniamed Registry, this study aims to identify all factors influencing the outcome in female groin hernia repair. BACKGROUND: In a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies, female sex was found to be a significant risk factor for recurrence. In the guidelines, the totally extraperitoneal patch plasty (TEP) and transabdominal preperitoneal patch plasty (TAPP) laparo-endoscopic techniques are recommended for female groin hernia repair. However, even when complying with the guidelines, a less favorable outcome must be expected than in men. To date, there is no study in the literature for analysis of all factors influencing the outcome in female groin hernia repair. METHODS: In all, 15,601 female patients from the Herniamed Registry who had undergone primary unilateral groin hernia repair with the Lichtenstein, Shouldice, TEP or TAPP technique, and for whom 1-year follow-up was available, were selected between September 1, 2009 and July 1, 2017. Using multivariable analyses, influencing factors on the various outcome parameters were identified. RESULTS: In the multivariable analysis, a significantly higher risk of postoperative complications, complication-related reoperations, recurrences, and pain on exertion was found only for the Lichtenstein technique. No negative influence on the outcome was identified for the TEP, TAPP, or Shouldice techniques. Relevant risk factors for occurrence of perioperative complications, recurrences, and chronic pain were preoperative pain, existing risk factors, larger defects, a higher body mass index (BMI), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification and postoperative complications. Higher age had a negative association with postoperative complications and positive association with pain rates. CONCLUSIONS: Female groin hernia repair should be performed with the TEP or TAPP laparo-endoscopic technique, or, alternatively, with the Shouldice technique, if there is no evidence of a femoral hernia. By contrast, the Lichtenstein technique has disadvantages in terms of postoperative complications, recurrences, and pain on exertion. Important risk factors for an unfavorable outcome are preoperative pain, existing risk factors, higher ASA classification, higher BMI, and postoperative complications. A higher age and larger defects have an unfavorable impact on postoperative complications and a more favorable impact on chronic pain.

Small and Laterally Placed Incisional Hernias Can be Safely Managed with an Onlay Repair.

INTRODUCTION: In meta-analyses and systematic reviews, clear advantages have been identified for the sublay versus onlay technique for treatment of incisional hernias. Nonetheless, an expert panel has noted that the onlay mesh location may be useful in certain settings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: First, unadjusted analysis of data from the Herniamed Registry was performed to compare 6797 sublay operations with 1024 onlay operations for repair of incisional hernias. Then, using propensity score matching to account for the influence of variables age, gender, ASA score, BMI, risk factors, preoperative pain, defect size, and defect localization, 1016 pairs were formed and compared with each other. RESULTS: Unadjusted analysis revealed that the onlay operation was used significantly more often for small defects, lateral defect localization, and in women. After comparing the propensity score-matched pairs, no significant difference was found between the sublay and onlay technique in the outcome criteria intra- and postoperative complications, general complications, complication-related reoperations, pain at rest, pain on exertion, chronic pain requiring treatment, and recurrence on 1-year follow-up. But that was true only for this carefully selected patient collective. CONCLUSION: In a selected patient collective with small and lateral incisional hernias and with a large proportion of women, outcomes obtained for the onlay and sublay techniques do not differ significantly.

The Importance of Registries in the Postmarketing Surveillance of Surgical Meshes.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of registries in the postmarketing surveillance of surgical meshes. BACKGROUND: To date, surgical meshes are classified as group II medical devices. Class II devices do not require premarket clearance by clinical studies. Ethicon initiated a voluntary market withdrawal of Physiomesh for laparoscopic use after an analysis of unpublished data from the 2 large independent hernia registries-Herniamed German Registry and Danish Hernia Database. This paper now presents the relevant data from the Herniamed Registry. METHODS: The present analysis compares the prospective perioperative and 1-year follow-up data collected for all patients with incisional hernia who had undergone elective laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh repair either with Physiomesh (n = 1380) or with other meshes recommended in the guidelines (n = 3834). RESULTS: Patients with Physiomesh repair had a markedly higher recurrence rate compared with the other recommended meshes (12.0% vs 5.0%; P < 0.001). In the multivariable analysis, the recurrence rate was highly significantly influenced by the mesh type used (P < 0.001). If Physiomesh was used, that led to a highly significant increase in the recurrence rate on 1-year follow-up (odds ratio 2.570, 95% CI 2.057, 3.210). The mesh type used also had a significant influence on chronic pain rates. CONCLUSIONS: The importance of real-world data for postmarketing surveillance of surgical meshes has been demonstrated in this registry-based study. Randomized controlled trials are needed for premarket approval of new devices. The role of sponsorship of device studies by the manufacturing company must be taken into account.

Prevention of incisional hernia with prophylactic onlay and sublay mesh reinforcement versus primary suture only in midline laparotomies (PRIMA): 2-year follow-up of a multicentre, double-blind, randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Incisional hernia is a frequent long-term complication after abdominal surgery, with a prevalence greater than 30% in high-risk groups. The aim of the PRIMA trial was to evaluate the effectiveness of mesh reinforcement in high-risk patients, to prevent incisional hernia. METHODS: We did a multicentre, double-blind, randomised controlled trial at 11 hospitals in Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands. We included patients aged 18 years or older who were undergoing elective midline laparotomy and had either an abdominal aortic aneurysm or a body-mass index (BMI) of 27 kg/m2 or higher. We randomly assigned participants using a computer-generated randomisation sequence to one of three treatment groups: primary suture; onlay mesh reinforcement; or sublay mesh reinforcement. The primary endpoint was incidence of incisional hernia during 2 years of follow-up, analysed by intention to treat. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were estimated by logistic regression. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00761475. FINDINGS: Between March, 2009, and December, 2012, 498 patients were enrolled to the study, of whom 18 were excluded before randomisation. Therefore, we included 480 patients in the primary analysis: 107 were assigned primary suture only, 188 were allocated onlay mesh reinforcement, and 185 were assigned sublay mesh reinforcement. 92 patients were identified with an incisional hernia, 33 (30%) who were allocated primary suture only, 25 (13%) who were assigned onlay mesh reinforcement, and 34 (18%) who were assigned sublay mesh reinforcement (onlay mesh reinforcement vs primary suture, OR 0·37, 95% CI 0·20-0·69; p=0·0016; sublay mesh reinforcement vs primary suture, 0·55, 0·30-1·00; p=0·05). Seromas were more frequent in patients allocated onlay mesh reinforcement (34 of 188) than in those assigned primary suture (five of 107; p=0·002) or sublay mesh reinforcement (13 of 185; p=0·002). The incidence of wound infection did not differ between treatment groups (14 of 107 primary suture; 25 of 188 onlay mesh reinforcement; and 19 of 185 sublay mesh reinforcement). INTERPRETATION: A significant reduction in incidence of incisional hernia was achieved with onlay mesh reinforcement compared with sublay mesh reinforcement and primary suture only. Onlay mesh reinforcement has the potential to become the standard treatment for high-risk patients undergoing midline laparotomy. FUNDING: Baxter; B Braun Surgical SA.

Delayed closure of open abdomen in septic patients treated with negative pressure wound therapy and dynamic fascial suture: the long-term follow-up study.

INTRODUCTION: Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is widely used in the treatment of open abdomen (OA). The use of dynamic fascial sutures (DFS) increases the rate of successful delayed closure by reducing fascial lateralization. We recently published a prospective controlled trial including 87 patients undergoing abdominal surgery for secondary peritonitis between 2007 and 2012. Patients were treated with NPWT and DFS for approximation of fascial edges. The present study represents a follow-up assessment of these patients 5-9 years after OA treatment with NPWT and DFS. METHODS: The 39 patients still alive were included in the recent study according to the protocol of our last study in 2013. All patients received a questionnaire regarding long-term complications after OA treatment between 2007 and 2012. Mean follow-up was 5-9 years. Analyzed parameters included pain, the presence of incisional hernia, and subsequent surgical interventions. Results were analyzed quantitatively. RESULTS: One patient had deceased since the last publication in 2013, and hence 38 patients were included in the current study. The median age was 60.9 (25.2-86.1) years, and 17 (44.7%) were females. Overall 56.3% of the original 87 patients had died during the long-term follow-up period. 21 patients (55.3%) answered the questionnaire. Six (28.6%) declared that they suffered from pain in the previous operating field, five (23.8%) at rest, and three (14.3%) during exercise. In five patients (23.8%), pain lasted for more than 3 months. One patient (4.8%) still requires analgesic treatment. Among the 21 patients, seven (33.3%) were found to have incisional hernias. Three hernias (42.9%) were treated by surgery. CONCLUSION: Incisional hernia rates after OA treatment remain high, but are accompanied by little pain. The ideal technique of fascial closure after NPWT should be investigated in further research.