Abstract Aim To study complications in our e-TEP series in ventral and incisional hernias. Methods We reviewed all patients undergoing e-TEP for ventral or incisional hernias. We included 33 patients (14 M2 or M3W2 incisional hernias and 11 medium ventral hernias with rectus diastasis), in whom polypropylene mesh was used. Follow-up at least 6 months. Results We found 2 patients with interstitial hernia below the mesh, one of them in the acute postoperative period with intestinal obstruction. One patient with recurrence of incisional hernia in the subxiphoid area, one patient with asymmetry of the right hypochondrium, and one patient with a seroma requiring drainage and a hematoma in another (using drainage). Intensive postoperative pain in 6 patients with delayed discharge. Conclusion In our series, E-TEP is safe but not free of complications.We started the procedure very ambitiously with M3W2 incisional hernias, but we soon realized that this technique did not allow us to revise the cavity and perform adhesiolysis, so we changed the way we managed these patients, and became more selective, only indicating E-TEP in medium-sized primary hernias associated with rectus diastasis. We managed to improve surgical skill with the cases, reducing postoperative pain, surgical time and hospital stay.
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