P019 OUTCOMES OF OPEN LATERAL APPROACHES FOR L3-L4 INCISIONAL HERNIAS

Abstract

Abstract Aim Our study aimed to compare and evaluate results of two different open lateral approaches for L3–L4 incisional hernias (IH) operated in a multicentric complex abdominal wall unit. Material and Methods Patients who underwent surgery for L3–L4 IH were identified from a prospective maintained multicenter database. The lateral IH were approached laterally, performing a reverse transversus abdominis release (TAR) or a lateral retromuscular preperitoneal approach (LRP). Outcomes included short and long-term complications, such as recurrence, bulging and pain. Results 61 patients were identified. There were 28 (45.9%) cases of L3 IH and 33 (54.1%) cases of L4 IH. 28 (34.7%) LRP approaches and 33 (24.5%) reverse TAR techniques were performed. There were surgical site occurrences (SSO) in 13 (21.3%) patients, 7 (11.5%) in the reverse TAR group and 6 in the LRP group. 8 (13.1%) SSO required procedural intervention (4 in each group). During a mean follow-up of 26.57 (+/- 19.23) months, no cases of recurrence were diagnosed. There were 12 (19.7%) cases of asymptomatic bulging that did not required reintervention (7 in the LRP group), and only one case of symptomatic bulging that needed intervention (in the LRP group). Furthermore, two patients (3.3%) required daily no opioids treatment for pain. Two (3.3%) cases of mortality were registered (both in the LRP group). Conclusions Despite the high complexity associated of L3-L4 IH, both lateral approaches showed acceptable long-term results, without any statistical difference between groups.