P-002 PREOPERATIVE USE OF BOTULINUM TOXIN A FOR COMPLEX ABDOMINAL WALL HERNIAS: SIMPLIFICATION OF ANATOMICAL RECONSTRUCTION AND REDUCTION OF COMPONENT SEPARATION TECHNIQUES

Abstract

Abstract Aim Botulinum toxin A (BTA) may facilitate abdominal wall reconstruction for giant abdominal wall hernias. Complications after preoperative conditioning of the abdominal wall with BTA and subsequent surgical treatment have been poorly studied. Methods From 2018 to 2021, 31 patients with complex abdominal wall hernia were enrolled. Data were analyzed descriptively, risk factors, comorbidity, operative procedure, surgical site occurrences, and especially BTA-associated complications were documented. Key points were adverse effects, the rate of anatomical reconstruction, and reduction of component separation techniques. Results 23 male and 8 female patients with a mean age of 62.7 years were included. The mean body mass index was 27.8 kg/m2. 61% had an ASA-Score over 3. The median duration of hospital stay was 11.6±5.2 days. The mean horizontal hernia defect was 13±5 cm, and the mean hernia gap area was 181.7±116 cm2. 83% were medial hernias with more than 10 cm hernia gap. Surgical reconstruction was performed using component separation techniques (CS) with mesh augmentation (61%), retromuscular sublay with CS (20%), and hybrid procedure (VAMOS) (9%). Complete closure of the anterior fascia was achieved in 100%. Anterior CS was necessary for 19%, and posterior CS was needed in 61%. The surgical site occurrences rate was 19%, with no BTA-associated complications. No hernia recurrence occurred during the follow-up period to date since 2018. Conclusion Preoperative conditioning of the lateral abdominal muscles with BTA seems to be a safe and effective method to facilitate tension-free anatomic reconstruction of the abdominal wall under the reduction of component separation.