Single institute experiences in anterior and posterior component separation technique for the large ventral hernia: A retrospective review

While both anterior and posterior component separation techniques aid the repair of large ventral hernias, their outcomes can be remarkably dissimilar in terms of wound morbidity. We describe outcomes after open component separation by a single surgical team over the entire breadth of our experience. We queried a prospectively maintained database for ventral hernias who received an open bilateral component separation between January 2014 and January 2020. A retrospective review was performed to analyze patient demographics, perioperative events, adverse outcomes, and recurrence. One hundred twenty-seven patients met the inclusion criteria of which 44 underwent anterior component separation (ACS) and 83 underwent posterior component separation (PCS). The two groups were broadly similar in terms of demographic and hernia-related variables. Mesh:defect area ratios, operative time, and estimated intraoperative blood loss were higher in the PCS group. The ACS group had more frequent use of drains which remained in situ for longer, along with a longer hospital stay. Surgical site occurrences (SSOs), including those needing procedural intervention (SSOPIs) were significantly more common after ACS. This group was also more likely to undergo a reoperation within 30days of index repair. A single recurrence was noted in the ACS group after a mean follow-up duration of 43months. Open PCS may be more technically demanding than ACS, but it has a lower risk of postoperative morbidity and reoperation. While we now utilize PCS more frequently in our practice, ACS remains an important tool in our armamentarium.

Transversus abdominis release is a novel approach for myofascial advancement in ventral hernia repair and has been hypothesized to have lower rates of wound complication than anterior component separation. Patients who had a ventral hernia repair with either transversus abdominis release or minimally invasive anterior component separation from January of 2010 to January of 2016 were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. Patient characteristics were collected through chart review. Primary outcomes were operative time and wound complications. Multiple linear/Poisson regression and Fisher's exact test were used to determine statistical significance. Of 142 patients analyzed, 75 subjects underwent Butler minimally invasive anterior component separation and 67 underwent transversus abdominis release. There were no differences in baseline characteristics between groups, except that the anterior component separation group had more immunosuppressed patients (35 percent versus 19 percent). Median operative time for anterior component separation was 6.3 hours versus 6.1 hours for transversus abdominis release (p = 0.6). Overall wound complications did not differ between the groups (p = 0.5). Compared with anterior component separation, transversus abdominis release had a similar incidence of seroma/hematoma (relative risk, 0.9; 95 percent CI, 0.5 to 1.7), wound infection (relative risk, 1.1; 95 percent CI, 0.5 to 2.2), and mesh infection (relative risk, 0.7; 95 percent CI, 0.2 to 3.4). Hernia recurrence was 12 percent for anterior component separation and 6 percent for transversus abdominis release (relative risk, 0.6; 95 percent CI, 0.2 to 1.7). Reoperation was required in 19 percent of anterior component separation and 12 percent of transversus abdominis release subjects (relative risk, 0.5; 95 percent CI, 0.2 to 1.2). Transversus abdominis release patients had similar operative times, wound complications, reoperations, and hernia recurrences compared with Butler minimally invasive anterior component separation patients. This contemporary comparison helps inform operative decisions for reconstructive surgeons. Therapeutic, III.

Transversus abdominis release (TAR), as a type of posterior component separation, is a new myofascial release technique in complex ventral hernia repair. TAR preserves rectus muscle innervation, creates an immense retromuscular plane and allows bilaminar ingrowth of the mesh. The place of the TAR within the range of established anterior component separation techniques (CST) is unclear. Aim of this systematic literature review is to estimate the position of the TAR in the scope of ventral hernia repair techniques. MEDLINE, Embase, Pubmed and the Cochrane controlled trials register and Science citation index were searched using the following terms: 'posterior component separation', 'transversus abdominis release', 'ventral hernia repair', 'complex abdominal wall reconstruction'. To prevent duplication bias, only studies with a unique cohort of patients who underwent transversus abdominis release for complex abdominal wall reconstruction were eligible. Postoperative complications and recurrences had to be registered adequately. The rate of surgical site occurrences and recurrences of the TAR were compared with those after anterior CST, published earlier in two meta-analyses. Five articles met our strict inclusion criteria, describing 646 TAR patients. Methodological quality per study was good. Mean hernia surface was 509cm2 and 88% of the hernias were located in the midline. Preoperative risk stratification was distributed in low risk (10%), co-morbid (55%), potentially contaminated (32%) and infected (3%). Pooled calculations demonstrated a mean SSO rate of 15% after TAR (20-35% after anterior CST) and a mean 2-year hernia recurrence rate of 4% (13% after anterior CST). Mean hernia surface was 300cm2 in anterior component separation studies. This review demonstrates that the transversus abdominis release is a good alternative for anterior CST in terms of SSO and recurrence, especially in very large midline ventral hernias.

To review the long-term outcomes of complex abdominal wall reconstruction using anterior and posterior component separation (CS) techniques in our center. This was a descriptive analytical study. Analysis of data from a prospectively collected database of patients who had undergone Component Separation (CS) repair of incisional hernias was performed. Two techniques were used. Anterior component separation (ACS) and posterior component separation with transversus abdominis release (PCS/TAR). Follow-up was clinical review at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months with direct access telephone review thereafter. Long-term outcome data was obtained from electronic records and based on either clinical or CT assessment. Minimum physical follow-up was 6 months for all patients. 89 patients with large incisional hernias underwent CS repair. 29 patients had ACS while 60 underwent PCS/TAR. Mean follow-up was 60 months (range 6-140 months) in the ACS group and 20 months (range 6-72 months) in the PCS group. Twenty-five patients (28%) had simultaneous major procedures including 21 intestinal anastomoses. Twenty-six (29%) of patients had associated stomas. Twenty-seven (30.3%) of the patients had undergone previous hernia repairs. Seromas occurred in 24 (26.97%) patients. Wound infections were more common after ACS. There have been 10 (11.2%) recurrences to date. Component separation repair techniques result in good long-term outcomes with acceptable complication rates. They can be performed simultaneously with gastrointestinal procedures with low morbidity. Appropriate patient selection and use of appropriate mesh are important.

Background Abdominal wall reconstruction after huge incisional hernias considered one of challenges that face surgeons, component separations, either anterior component separation (ACS) or posterior component separation (PCS) with transversus abdominus release (TAR), are novel and less expensive solutions for this problem. Aim This prospective randomized trial compares the results of ACS procedure versus PCS with TAR in repair of incisional hernias. Patients and methods This study included 40 patients who underwent surgical repair for midline incisional hernias with defects larger than 5 cm in width between March 2016 and October 2017 at Ain Shams University Hospitals. Patients were randomly assigned to surgical procedures. Patients in group Ι (n=20) underwent ACS, and patients in group II (n=20) underwent PCS with TAR. Results In group Ι (ACS), wound morbidity significantly exceeded that in group II (PCS with TAR) such that 10 (50%) patients in group I developed surgical wound infection compared with four (20%) patients in group II. Regarding wound dehiscence, seven patients in group I had this sequel, whereas two patients in group II had wound dehiscence. Hernia recurrence occurred in seven (35%) patients in group I, but only one (5%) patient in group II developed this. Conclusion PCS with TAR provides equivalent myofascial advancement with significantly less wound morbidity and recurrence rate when compared with ACS.

Component separation techniques for complex ventral hernia repair, popularized by Ramirez and colleagues in the 1990s, were developed to mobilize myofascial elements in abdominal wall reconstruction. By division of one of the muscles of the lateral abdominal wall, a low-tension midline closure of large ventral hernia defects can be achieved. Reapproximation of the rectus abdominis muscles in the midline optimizes abdominal wall function and enhances patient quality-of-life. The original Ramirez component separation divides the medial posterior rectus sheath bilaterally, followed by elevation of the rectus abdominis muscles off of the underlying posterior rectus sheaths. If further mobilization of abdominal wall elements is needed, an anterior release divides the external oblique muscle lateral to the linea semilunaris. As abdominal wall reconstruction techniques evolved to include transversus abdominis release (TAR), a distinction between anterior and posterior component separation was needed to indicate which lateral abdominal wall muscle is divided. The posterior component separation (PCS) begins with the standard retrorectus dissection described by Rives and Stoppa and is extended laterally after the posterior lamella of the internal oblique aponeurosis and the transversus abdominis muscle are divided. After the release of the transversus abdominis muscle, the preperitoneal space is entered. Essentially a wide preperitoneal dissection, PCS-TAR offers several advantages over anterior component separation for abdominal wall reconstruction. Large myofascial flaps are mobilized and reapproximated at the midline under minimal tension, creating ample retromuscular space for mesh deployment. This well-vascularized space, isolated from the viscera and superficial wound, encourages early mesh ingrowth and is ideal for inexpensive, bare polypropylene mesh. Additionally, PCS-TAR avoids large skin flaps—and the associated morbidity—needed for an anterior component separation.

The aim of this study was to analyze outcomes of open anterior component separation technique (ACST) and posterior component separation technique with transversus abdominis release (TAR) for midline large ventral hernias. From December 2016 to July 2022, patients over 18years of age, who underwent elective surgery for midline large ventral hernia via open component separation technique (ACST and TAR), were enrolled in this study. Preoperative and intraoperative factors, also hospital stay days, Surgical Site Occurrences (SSO), hernia recurrence and quality of life (QoL) were determined in ACST and TAR groups. To determine QoL we used the Carolinas Comfort Scale (CCS). Data of 43 patients (22 patients from ACST group and 21-from TAR group) were analyzed. Bivariate analysis showed that the proportions of SSO in TAR group (4 out of 21; 19%) was significantly lower than in ACST group (11 out of 22; 50%) (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.07-3.24, p = 0.033). Seroma was the most frequent SSO, ranging from 9.5% to 40.9% among the groups, respectively (P = 0.018). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of surgical site infection (SSI), hematoma, wound dehiscence, skin necrosis, hernia recurrence and QoL. Our study revealed that when comparing the ACST and TAR groups for large midline ventral hernia, there was no significant difference in terms of hernia recurrence and QoL. TAR was associated with significantly less SSO than ACST. This can be considered as an advantage of TAR, making it more preferable than ACST.

BackgroundTo obtain tension-free closure for giant incisional hernia repair, anterior or posterior component separation is often performed. In patients with an extreme diameter hernia, anterior component separation and posterior component separation may be combined. The aim of this study was to assess the additional medialization after simultaneous anterior component separation and posterior component separation. MethodsFresh-frozen post mortem human specimens were used. Both sides of the abdominal wall were subjected to retro-rectus dissection (Rives-Stoppa), anterior component separation and posterior component separation, the order in which the component separation techniques were performed was reversed for the contralateral side. Medialization was measured at 3 reference points. ResultsAnterior component separation provided most medialization for the anterior rectus sheath, posterior component separation provided most medialization for the posterior rectus sheath. After combined component separation techniques total median medialization ranged between 5.8 and 9.2 cm for the anterior rectus sheath, and between 10.1 and 14.2 cm for the posterior rectus sheath (depending on the level on the abdomen). For the anterior rectus sheath, additional posterior component separation after anterior component separation provided 15% to 16%, and additional anterior component separation after posterior component separation provided 32% to 38% of the total medialization after combined component separation techniques. For the posterior rectus sheath, additional posterior component separation after anterior component separation provided 50% to 59%, and additional anterior component separation after posterior component separation provided 11% to 17% of the total medialization after combined component separation techniques. Retro-rectus dissection alone contributed up to 41% of maximum obtainable medialization. ConclusionAnterior component separation provided most medialization of the anterior rectus sheath and posterior component separation provided most medialization of the posterior rectus sheath. Combined component separation techniques provide marginal additional medialization, clinical use of this technique should be carefully balanced against additional risks.

BackgroundLarge incisional hernias (IHs), especially with loss of domain, pose significant challenges for repair. Component separation, as a method of repair, allows for adequate coverage of large hernial defects. We compared outcomes of anterior component separation (ACS) versus posterior component separation with transversus abdominis muscle release (PCSTAR) in the repair of large IHs.MethodsA systematic search of various electronic databases was conducted to identify studies (published between January 1990 - June 2025) comparing ACS and PCSTAR performed for IH repair. The included studies were assessed for risk of bias (RoB) using validated tools appropriate to study design (Cochrane RoB for randomised controlled trials (RCTs), MINORS for non-randomised studies). Our evaluated outcome measures included overall wound complications, surgical site infections (SSI), hematoma and seroma formation, total operative time, length of hospital stay (LOS), and recurrence rate. Data were analysed using RevMan 5.3, employing a random-effects model.ResultsA total of eight studies (three RCTs and five observational studies) with 2293 patients (1573 with ACS and 720 with PCSTAR) were included. The PCSTAR group demonstrated a lower rate of overall wound complications (odds ratio [OR] 2.58, P = 0.004) and SSIs (OR 1.72, P = 0.05) compared with the ACS group. No significant differences were observed for hematoma (OR 0.87, P = 0.51) or seroma formation (OR 1.77, P = 0.11), recurrence rate (OR 1.81, P = 0.31), operative time (mean difference [MD] -6.57, P = 0.77), or LOS (MD -0.67, P = 0.16) between the two groups. Overall, RCTs demonstrated a low risk of bias in most domains, whilst non-randomised studies showed moderate methodological quality.ConclusionBoth component separation techniques demonstrated comparable outcomes and efficacy in the repair of large incisional ventral hernias (IVHs). However, PCSTAR seems to be associated with reduced overall wound complications and SSI rates. A small number of included RCTs mandate that further adequately powered, well-designed RCTs are required to validate these findings.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10029-025-03487-5.

Surgical management of large ventral hernias (VH) has remained a challenge. Various techniques like anterior component separation and posterior component separation (PCS) with transversus abdominis release (TAR) have been employed. Despite the initial success, the long-term efficacy of TAR is not yet comprehensively studied. Authors aimed to investigate the early-, medium-, and long-term outcomes and health-related quality of life (QoL) in patients treated with PCS and TAR. This multicenter retrospective study analyzed data of 308 patients who underwent open PCS with TAR for primary or recurrent complex abdominal hernias between 2015 and 2020. The primary endpoint was the rate of hernia recurrence (HR) and mesh bulging (MB) at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36months. Secondary outcomes included surgical site events and QoL, assessed using EuraHS-QoL score. The average follow-up was 38.3 ± 12.7months. The overall HR rate was 3.5% and the MB rate was 4.7%. Most of the recurrences were detected by clinical and ultrasound examination. QoL metrics showed improvement post-surgery. This study supports the long-term efficacy of PCS with TAR in the treatment of large and complex VH, with a low recurrence rate and an improvement in QoL. Further research is needed for a more in-depth understanding of these outcomes and the factors affecting them.

Component separation remains an integral step during ventral hernia repair. Although a multitude of techniques are described, anterior component separation (ACS) via external oblique release (EOR) and posterior component separation (PCS) via transversus abdominis muscle release (TAR) are commonly utilized. The extent of myofascial medialization after ACS or PCS has not been well elucidated. We conducted a comparative analysis of ACS versus PCS in an established cadaveric model. Fifteen cadavers underwent both ACS via EOR and PCS via TAR. Following midline laparotomy (MLL), baseline myofascial elasticity was measured. Steps for ACS included creation of subcutaneous flaps (SQF), external oblique release (EOR), and retrorectus dissection (RRD). For PCS, steps included retrorectus dissection (RRD), transversus abdominis muscle division (TAD), and retromuscular dissection (RMD). Maximal advancement of anterior rectus fascia (ARF) was measured following application of tension to the fascia as a whole, and separately at upper, middle, and lower segments. Statistical analysis was performed with Mann-Whitney U test. Values are represented as average myofascial medialization in centimeters. Following MLL an average of 5.0 ± 0.9cm (range 3.4-6.0cm) of baseline medialization was obtained. Complete ACS provided 8.8 ± 1.2cm (range 6.3-10.7cm) of ARF advancement compared to 10.2 ± 1.7cm (range 7.6-12.7cm) with PCS, p = 0.046. In the upper and mid-abdomen, we noted increased ARF advancement with PCS versus ACS (8.1 ± 1.4cm vs. 6.7 ± 1.2cm and 11.4 ± 1.5 vs. 9.6 ± 1.4cm, respectively, p = 0.01). Similar levels of ARF advancement were observed in the lower abdomen, 9.1 ± 1.7cm versus 8.7 ± 1.8cm, p = 0.535. Component separation via both anterior and posterior approaches provide substantial myofascial advancement. In our model, we noted statistically greater anterior fascial medialization after PCS versus ACS as a whole, and especially in the upper and mid-abdomen. We advocate PCS as a reliable and possibly superior alternative for linea alba restoration for reconstructive repairs, especially for large defects in the upper and mid-abdomen.

Large ventral hernias are known to induce atrophic changes to the anterior abdominal wall musculature. We have shown that anterior component separation with external oblique (EO) release, with resultant reconstruction of the midline, results in hypertrophy of the rectus muscle (RM), internal oblique (IO), and transversus abdominis (TA). We aimed to compare and contrast the impact of posterior component separation with transversus abdominis release (TAR) and bridging laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR) on the muscles of the abdominal wall. Preoperative and at least 6-month postoperative CT scans were analyzed for patients undergoing TAR with midline reconstruction and LVHR without midline reconstruction. A change in the measured area of each abdominal wall muscle was used as the determinant of hypertrophy or atrophy. The areas of the RM, EO, IO, and TA were measured at the L3 to L4 level through the axial plane. Twenty-five consecutive patients with pre- and postoperative images were analyzed in each group. In the TAR group, the RA, EO, and IO demonstrated significant increases in area. In the LVHR group, no muscles demonstrated any significant changes. Similar to anterior component separation, hernia repair with TAR results in hypertrophy of the rectus abdominis muscle. In addition, we found that TAR was associated with hypertrophy of both external and internal oblique muscles. Bridging repair during LVHR, on the other hand, did not result in any significant changes in any of the abdominal muscles. Our findings provide clear radiologic evidence that re-creation of the midline by means of the TAR leads to improved anatomy of the abdominal wall, in addition to positive compensatory changes of the lateral abdominal wall musculature.

Anterior component separation (ACS) with external oblique release for ventral hernia repair has a recurrence rate up to 32%. Hernia recurrence after prior ACS represents a complex surgical challenge. In this context, we report our experience utilizing posterior component separation with transversus abdominis muscle release (PCS/TAR) and retromuscular mesh reinforcement. Patients with a history of recurrent hernia following ACS repaired with PCS/TAR were retrospectively identified from prospective databases collected at two large academic institutions. Patient demographics, hernia characteristics (using CT scan) and outcomes were evaluated. Twenty-nine patients with a history of ACS developed 22 (76%) midline, 3 (10%) lateral and 4 (14%) concomitant recurrences. Contamination was present in 11 (38%) of cases. All were repaired utilizing a PCS/TAR with retromuscular mesh placement (83% synthetic, 17% biologic) and fascial closure. Wound morbidity consisted of 13 (45%) surgical site occurrences including 8 (28%) surgical site infections. Five (17%) patients required 90-day readmission, and two (7%) were related to wound morbidity. One organ space infection with frank spillage of stool resulted in the only instance of mesh excision. This case also represents the only instance of recurrence (3%) with a mean follow-up of 11 (range 3-36) months. Patients with a history of an ACS who develop a recurrence represent a challenging clinical scenario with limited options for surgical repair. A PCS/TAR hernia repair achieves acceptable outcomes and may in fact be the best approach available.

Ventral abdominal hernia (VAH) repair is considered a surgical challenge especially hernias with large defect size and loss of domain (1-3). The incidence of recurrence after VAH repair ranges from 18.1% in primary VAH to 30.6% in secondary VAH (incisional hernia) (4). The principle of any hernia repair is to achieve a tension free repair with re-enforcement by mesh to decrease the incidence of recurrence (5). Many techniques had been studied and evaluated to address the problem of complex VAH with large defects and loss domain (1,6). In 1973, Rives et al. described their technique of retro rectus space dissection for incisional hernia (IH) repair allowing medial mobilization of myofascial flap and sub-lay mesh insertion (7, 8). But this technique has limitation in cases of large VAH as it doesn’t allow major myofascial advancement due to lateral limitation of linea semilunaris (LS) (9). In 1990, Ramirez et al. at described their technique of open anterior component separation (ACS) (10). In this technique, the external oblique aponeurosis is separated from internal oblique lateral to LS to achieve more medial mobilization of myofascial flap (9). ACS was successfully utilized in cases of large VAH, but the technique had its drawbacks. ACS was found to be associated with high rates of wound complications (seroma, wound infection, and flap necrosis) due to excess subcutaneous dissection with the possibility of lateral abdominal wall hernia at area of external oblique incision. The recurrence rate after ACS ranges from 9-18% (4). In 2012, Novitsky et al. were the first to describe the technique of posterior component separation and transversus abdominis release (PCS-TAR). The technique involved retro rectus space dissection reaching the LS, then an incision is made at posterior rectus sheath to access the space between internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles. Dissection is carried on in this space until reaching psoas muscle laterally. This technique has the advantage of allowing maximum medial myofascial mobilization without major subcutaneous dissection. In addition, the technique allows for sub-lay mesh placement (11). All these different component separation techniques aim to reestablish a functional abdominal wall through autologous tissue repair by separating between myofascial layers of anterior abdominal wall (AAW). This allows medial mobilization of myofascial flap to obliterate large size defects (12-14). Due to the relative novelty of these techniques, a knowledge gap still persists regarding which CS technique is suitable to different types of VAH. The aim of our study is to compare the outcomes of TAR with ACS as regard short term postoperative complication and recurrence rate.

Twelve years of component separation technique in abdominal wall reconstruction