P-093 GASTROINTESTINAL PROCEDURES AND ANASTOMOSES CAN BE SAFELY PERFORMED DURING COMPLEX ABDOMINAL WALL RECONSTRUCTION

Abstract

Abstract Aim The literature regarding combined abdominal wall reconstruction and gastrointestinal surgery is limited and largely suggests staged procedures due to a reported increased incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs), hernia recurrence and anastomotic leak, but this exposes patients to the risks of two substantial procedures. This study aimed to evaluate outcomes of single-stage GI surgery with complex abdominal wall reconstructions (CAWR) by a single surgeon. Materials & Methods Analysis of 10 years of a prospectively maintained single surgeon CAWR database compared those who had CAWR-alone with those having concomitant gastrointestinal surgery (CAWR-GI) such as stoma reversal or bowel resection but excluding cholecystectomy, gynaecological surgery and adhesiolysis alone. Groups were compared using the paired t-test (continuous data) and Fisher's exact test (nominal data). Results Overall, 62 elective cases (42 CAWR alone v 20 CAWR-GI) were analysed. Baseline demographics (age, BMI, co-morbidities, smoking status and hernia size) showed no differences; CAWR-GI mean operating time was significantly longer compared to the CAWR-alone group (5.4hrs vs 4.1hrs) with an increased incidence of post-operative ileus in the intestinal group (40% vs 11.9%, p<0.05). Post-operative complications were common (chest infection (32.3%) and SSI (41.9%)), but similar between groups. There were no anastomotic leaks and the hernia recurrence rate at almost 4 years follow up was 10% in both groups. Conclusion Performing simultaneous intestinal surgery during complex abdominal wall repair can be performed safely without increasing the risk of hernia recurrence, mesh infections or anastomotic leak.