Laparoscopic incisional and ventral hernia repair (LIVH): an evolving outpatient technique.
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The contemporary results of open incisional and ventral hernia repair are unsatisfactory because of high recurrence rates and morbidity levels. Laparoscopic repair of ventral and incisional hernias (LIVH) can be accomplished in a simple, reproducible manner while dramatically lowering recurrence rates and morbidity. METHODS: One hundred consecutive patents underwent laparoscopic repair of their ventral and incisional hernias over a 27-month period. Composix mesh and Composix E/X mesh (Davol Inc., Cranston, RI) were utilized for the repairs. Transfixion sutures were not used. RESULTS: All repairs were completed laparoscopically. No conversions to open techniques were necessary. No postoperative infections have been observed. One recurrent hernia was identified and subsequently repaired with the same technique. CONCLUSIONS: LIVH can be accomplished with a dramatic reduction in recurrence rates and morbidity. The technique for this repair is still in a state of evolution. The construction and handling characteristics of this particular type of mesh have allowed us to eliminate transfixion sutures and to simplify the repair technique while maintaining a very low recurrence rate. (+info)
A new method to insert the DualMesh prosthesis for laparoscopic ventral herniorrhaphy.
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The introduction of the prosthetic biomaterial during the laparoscopic repair of incisional and ventral hernias can present a challenge. Presented herein is a simplified method to fold and unfold the DualMesh (W. L. Gore and Associates, Flagstaff, AZ) prosthesis during this operation. (+info)
The abdominal compartment syndrome following aortic surgery.
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BACKGROUND: multi-organ failure is a leading cause of death following aneurysm surgery, especially in the emergency setting. Intra-abdominal hypertension is an important factor in the development of multi-organ failure. Prevention, early recognition and prompt treatment of abdominal hypertension and the abdominal compartment syndrome may reduce mortality following aneurysm surgery. METHODS: a descriptive review of the literature from a Medline search. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: the abdominal compartment syndrome is the result of diverse physiological effects caused by increased intra-abdominal pressure. The syndrome has been most widely described in trauma victims, but occurs in patients following aortic surgery, particularly following ruptured aneurysm repair. Preventative therapy should be instituted to minimise its development in patients at risk, and monitoring of intra-abdominal pressure may allow prompt treatment of this condition. (+info)
Definitive surgical treatment of infected or exposed ventral hernia mesh.
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OBJECTIVE: To discuss the difficulties in dealing with infected or exposed ventral hernia mesh, and to illustrate one solution using an autogenous abdominal wall reconstruction technique. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The definitive treatment for any infected prosthetic material in the body is removal and substitution. When ventral hernia mesh becomes exposed or infected, its removal requires a solution to prevent a subsequent hernia or evisceration. METHODS: Eleven patients with ventral hernia mesh that was exposed, nonincorporated, with chronic drainage, or associated with a spontaneous enterocutaneous fistula were referred by their initial surgeons after failed local wound care for definitive management. The patients were treated with radical en bloc excision of mesh and scarred fascia followed by immediate abdominal wall reconstruction using bilateral sliding rectus abdominis myofascial advancement flaps. RESULTS: Four of the 11 patients treated for infected mesh additionally required a bowel resection. Transverse defect size ranged from 8 to 18 cm (average 13 cm). Average procedure duration was 3 hours without bowel repair and 5 hours with bowel repair. Postoperative length of stay was 5 to 7 days without bowel repair and 7 to 9 days with bowel repair. Complications included hernia recurrence in one case and stitch abscesses in two cases. Follow-up ranges from 6 to 54 months (average 24 months). CONCLUSIONS: Removal of infected mesh and autogenous flap reconstruction is a safe, reliable, and one-step surgical solution to the problem of infected abdominal wall mesh. (+info)
Laparoscopic intraperitoneal repair of postoperative ventral incisional hernia using Composix mesh.
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This report describes the technique and early results obtained with a simple laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay Composix mesh repair for postoperative ventral hernia. Composix mesh is constructed from one layer of polypropylene mesh and another layer of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). From March 2000 to October 2001, we performed laparoscopic repair of postoperative ventral hernia in 9 patients. Four (44%) of these patients had a history of at least one failed hernia repair. The size of the abdominal wall defect varied from 4 x 5 cm to 10 x 12 cm (median, 8 x 9 cm). In all cases, the Composix mesh (Bard Inc. USA) was stapled to the peritoneal surface of the abdominal wall, leaving the sac in situ. No death occurred as a result of surgery. Intraoperative small bowel injury occurred in one patient (11.1%) for whom surgery was converted to laparotomy and small bowel resection. No infection was observed. The length of hospital stay varied from 5 to 10 days (median, 5.6 days). During the follow-up period of 8 to 15 months (median, 2 months), there was no recurrence of hernia. Laparoscopic Composix mesh onlay repair is a safe, easy, and effective procedure with minimal discomfort and a low early recurrence rate. (+info)
Telerobotic laparoscopic repair of incisional ventral hernias using intraperitoneal prosthetic mesh.
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Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair shortens the length of hospital stay and achieves low rates of hernia recurrence. The inherent difficulties of performing advanced laparoscopy operations, however, have limited the adoption of this technique by many surgeons. We hypothesized that the virtual operative field and hand-like instruments of a telerobotic surgical system could overcome these limitations. We present herein the first 2 reported cases of telerobotic laparoscopic ventral hernia repair with mesh. The operations were accomplished with the da Vinci telerobotic surgical system. The hernia defects were repaired with dual-sided, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) mesh. The mesh was secured in place with 8 sutures that were passed through the abdominal wall, and 5-mm surgical tacks were placed around the circumference of the mesh. The 2 operations were accomplished with total operative times of 120 and 135 minutes and total operating room times of 166 and 180 minutes, respectively. The patients were discharged home on postoperative days 1 and 4. The surgeon sat in an ergonomically comfortable position at a computer console that was remote from the patient. Immersion of the surgeon within the 3-dimensional virtual operative field expedited each stage of these procedures. The articulation of the wristed telerobotic instruments greatly facilitated reaching the anterior abdominal cavity near the abdominal wall. This report indicates that telerobotic laparoscopic ventral hernia repair is feasible and suggests that telepresence technology facilitates this procedure. (+info)
The Stoppa procedure in inguinal hernia repair: to drain or not to drain.
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OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the benefits of drainage in the Stoppa procedure for inguinal repair. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The use of a suction drain was randomized at the end of the surgical intervention in 26 male patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair, divided into 2 groups: Group A, 12 patients undergoing drainage, and group B, 14 patients not undergoing drainage. On the second postoperative day, all patients underwent abdominal pelvic computed tomography scan examination to detect the presence of abdominal fluid collection. RESULTS: In group A, no patient developed fluid collection in the preperitoneal space, and 1 patient presented with an abscess in the preperitoneal space on the 15th postoperative day. In group B, 12 patients presented with fluid collections in the preperitoneal space on computed tomography scan evaluation. However, only 3 patients presented minor complications. None of the patients developed a major complication. CONCLUSION: The use of suction drainage with the Stoppa procedure does not provide any benefit. (+info)
Risk of mesh erosion with sacral colpopexy and concurrent hysterectomy.
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OBJECTIVE: To examine short- and long-term mesh-related complications in women undergoing abdominal sacral colpopexy with concurrent hysterectomy, compared with women with a prior hysterectomy undergoing sacral colpopexy alone. METHODS: Patient characteristics, hospital complications, postoperative clinical course, and long-term graft-related complications were reviewed for all women with genital prolapse who underwent abdominal sacral colopexy between 1996 and 1998. Women with concurrent hysterectomy were compared with women with vaginal prolapse after a prior hysterectomy. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-four patients, 60 with concurrent hysterectomy and 64 with prior hysterectomy, were observed postoperatively for a median of 35.5 (0-74) months. Demographics of the two groups were similar, with a mean age of 65.1 +/- 9.4 years and a mean body mass index of 25.8 +/- 4.2 kg/m(2). Eighty percent of colpopexies used prolene synthetic mesh and 20% allograft material. Initial operative and hospital complications were rare in both groups and included a blood transfusion of 2 U, a ureteral transection, a wound infection, heart block, and an arrhythmia. Delayed graft complications included one mesh erosion in a patient with a prior hysterectomy that was managed by office resection (0.8%). CONCLUSION: Concurrent hysterectomy with abdominal sacral colopopexy has a low incidence of mesh complications and can be used as a first-line treatment for genital prolapse. (+info)