Complications, Pitfalls and Prevention of Complications of Laparoscopic Incisional and Ventral Hernia Repair and Comparison to Open Repair

Abstract

LeBlanc and Booth in 1993 [1] first reported laparoscopic repair of a ventral and incisional hernia (LIVHR). With the development of newer prosthetic devices and fixation devices, laparoscopic repair has found its applicability not only in primary ventral and incisional hernia repair but also in parastomal and parapubic hernias. According to the recent IEHS guidelines, laparoscopic repair is considered the standard of care for management of patients with ventral and incisional hernia [2]. LIVHR is a very safe procedure and provides patients all the benefits of laparoscopic surgery like early return to activity and shorter hospital stay. However, unlike other laparoscopic procedures, although pain is less in open repair, it still is associated with considerable pain in the postoperative period because of the use of mesh fixation devices like tackers. Like all procedures laparoscopic repair is associated with certain intraoperative and postoperative complications which are important to be diagnosed and managed [2].