Incarcerated umbilical hernia complicated with cirrhotic ascites in 15 cases

Abstract

Objective To summarize the experience in the management of incarcerated umbilical hernia in cirrhotic patients with aseites. Methods The operative methods, perioperative management and fellow-up data of 15 patients diagnosed incarcerated umbilical hernia in the setting of cirrhosis and ascites were studied retrospectively. All the patients underwent emergency operation to remove necrotic umbilical skin and hernial content, including incarcerated greater omentum (6 cases) and strangulated segment of small bowel (5 cases). After debriding the operating field thoroughly, the umbilical hernia was repaired with polypropylene mesh, among those Sublay repair was used in 11 cases with the longest diameter of hernial ring more than 3 cm and Onlay repair in 4 cases with the longest diameter of hernial ring less than 3 cm. During the perioperative period, albumin and fresh frozen plasma transfusion, as well as diuresis and ascites paracentesis, was adopted to treat eirrhosis and ascites. Results All the patients underwent operation successfully. The operative time was 90～185 min, averaging at 122 min. Seroma formation in 2 cases and incision infection in one were cured with conservative therapy. One patient died of multiple organ dysfunction after the operation. During the fellow-up of 1～5 years, 1 patient died of liver function failure and there was no hernia recurrence. Conclusion With appropriate perioperative management and correct operative method, polypropylene mesh could be adopted in the emergency repair operation of incarerated umbilical hernia in the setting of cirrhosis and ascites. Key words: Hernia, umbilical; Liver cirrhosis; Polypropylenes; Herniorrhaphy; Ascites