Laparoscopic Total Extraperitoneal Hernia Research Articles

Factors Influencing Development of Subcutaneous Carbon Dioxide Emphysema in Laparoscopic Totally Extraperitoneal Inguinal Hernia Repair

There is a paucity of published data on the incidence of subcutaneous emphysema and the causative factors responsible for its occurrence during laparoscopic procedures. This study was undertaken to evaluate the incidence and factors associated with the occurrence of subcutaneous emphysema in patients undergoing a laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair. The prospective study included 100 patients who presented with a primary inguinal hernia and underwent an elective laparoscopic TEP hernia repair from November 2003 to May 2005. Various factors, including age, body mass index (BMI), type of hernia (i.e., unilateral or bilateral, indirect or direct), duration of surgery, and end-tidal carbon-dioxide tension (start and peak), were evaluated. A grading system was evolved to document clinically apparent subcutaneous emphysema immediately and at 6 and 24 hours after the surgical procedure. A BMI <25, longer operating time (especially >1 hour), and higher end-tidal carbon-dioxide tension (start, peak, and difference) were found to be significantly associated with the development of subcutaneous emphysema. Age and type of hernia -- unilateral versus bilateral, direct versus indirect -- were not found to be statistically significant factors. The incidence of subcutaneous emphysema in laparoscopic extraperitoneal hernia repairs is high and largely under-reported. Once it is noted, the progression of the surgical emphysema during this type of surgery can have serious complications (e.g., cardiovascular and hemodynamic disturbances) unless timely, appropriate measures are taken. Etiology of subcutaneous emphysema is multifactorial, with no single factor having a prominent association.

Comparison of Institutional Costs for Laparoscopic Preperitoneal Inguinal Hernia Versus Open Repair and Its Reimbursement in an Ambulatory Surgery Center

To compare institutional costs for open versus laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair and its relationship to reimbursement in an ambulatory surgery center in the United States. Analysis of institutional costs in US$ of 2006 for all nonreusables used in a laparoscopic total extraperitoneal (TEP) hernia repair using a polyester mesh compared with open hernia repair using polypropylene mesh. A comparison of the institution's disposable costs related to reimbursement at an ambulatory surgery center in Southeastern United States was performed to identify the most cost-effective procedure for the outpatient facility. As fixed and indirect costs of the ambulatory surgery center are similar for both procedures, a cost difference can only be found in direct disposable costs with that being US$ 235.57 for the procedure-specific disposables in the laparoscopic hernia repair as compared with US$ 117.15 for the open hernia repair. Cost for identical disposables used in both procedures amounted to US$ 32.57. Laparoscopic TEP hernia repair has a higher cost for procedure related disposables versus the open hernia repair at +US$ 118.42 mainly being due to the more costly polyester mesh. A flat rate reimbursement of US$ 1800 for a laparoscopic procedure compared with only US$ 950 for the open procedure minus all disposable cost results in a higher institutional income of +US&$ 731.58 (US$ 1531.86 vs. US$ 800.28), from which other institutional costs can be paid. Despite marginally higher procedure-related disposable costs for laparoscopic TEP hernia repair, the institutional income is remarkably higher owing to a better reimbursement for this procedure in ambulatory surgery centers. From the institution's point of view, laparoscopic hernia repair is by far the more cost-effective procedure when compared with an open hernia procedure at the present time.

Improving operative performance using a laparoscopic hernia simulator

Background: Traditionally, the acquisition of surgical skill has occurred entirely in the operating room. To meet the expanding challenges of cost containment and patient safety, novel methods of surgical training utilizing ex-vivo workstations are being developed. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the impact of a laparoscopic training curriculum on surgical residents’ operative performance. Methods: Twenty-one surgery residents completed baseline laparoscopic total extraperitoneal (TEP) hernia repairs. Operative performance was evaluated using a validated global assessment tool. Each resident was then randomized to a control group or a trained group. A CD ROM, video, and simulator were used for training. At the end of the study, each resident’s operative performance was again evaluated. Results: Improvement was significantly greater in the trained group in five of the eight individual global assessment areas as well as the composite score ( P <0.05). Questionnaire data suggested that training resulted in improved understanding of the TEP hernia repair ( P = 0.01) and an increased willingness to offer the operation to patients with nonrecurrent unilateral hernias ( P = 0.02). Conclusions: A multimodality laparoscopic TEP hernia curriculum improves residents’ knowledge of the TEP hernia repair and comfort in performing the procedure, and may also improve actual operative performance.

Diagnosing the occult contralateral inguinal hernia.

The incidence of bilateral inguinal hernias reported for total extra peritoneal (TEP) laparoscopic hernia repair, which reaches 45%, appears to be higher than that seen in studies of transabdominal laparoscopic and open repair. Given the unique ability of diagnostic laparoscopy to diagnose occult contralateral hernias (OCH) accurately, this study looked at how concurrent transabdominal diagnostic laparoscopy (TADL) would influence planned TEP repairs. A prospective study oF 100 consecutive TEP cases was conducted. All patients had diagnostic laparoscopy via a 5-mm 45 degrees scope through an umbilical incision with 15 mmHg of pneumoperitoneum, followed by laparoscopic TEPrepair. A contralateral occult hernia was diagnosed and repaired if a true peritoneal eventration through the inguinal region was observed. Among the 100 patients, preoperative diagnosis suggested 31 bilateral hernias (31%), whereas TADL confirmed 25 bilateral hernias (25%). Of these 25 bilateral hernias, TADL confirmed 16 that had been diagnosed preoperatively (64%), but excluded 15 contralateral hernias that were incorrectly diagnosed (37%). Transabdominal diagnostic laparoscopy found nine OCHs, representing 36% of all bilateral hernias and 13% of the 69 preoperatively determined unilateral hernias. The preoperative physician examination false-negative rate for contralateral hernias was 36%, and the false-positive rate was 37%. In 26 cases (26%), TADL changed the operative approach. In this study, patients believed to have unilateral inguinal hernias had OCHs in 13% of cases when examined by TADL. The actual bilateral hernia incidence was 25%, with a 37% false-positive rate for preoperatively diagnosed bilateral hernias. The high rate of bilateral hernias reported by the TEP approach alone suggests that some OCH findings may be an artifact of the TEP dissection. However, failure to search for an OCH could result in up to 13% of patients subsequently requiring a second repair. Because some surgeons are concerned about unnecessary TEP dissection of the asymptomatic contralateral side, the approach described here may offer a solution to accurate diagnosis of the contralateral inguinal region during planned laparoscopic TEP hernia repair.

Emergency replacement for damaged balloon dissector for laparoscopic extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair.

The purpose of this study was to find an effective and reasonable solution to replace damaged balloon dissector used in laparoscopic extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair. The thumb of a surgical glove was used to repair torn balloon dissector for laparoscopic total extraperitoneal hernia repair. The new balloon presented an adequate tightness to perform the dissection of the extraperitoneal area without complication. Although the best way to replace a damaged balloon dissector is to replace it with a new one, this method may be taken into consideration in such a situation in which a new balloon dissector is not available.

Laparoscopic extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair with spinal anesthesia and nitrous oxide insufflation.

Laparoscopic repair of inguinal hernia is traditionally performed under general anesthesia mainly because of the adverse effects that carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum has on awake patients. Since a mandatory use of general anesthesia for all hernia repairs is questionable, the feasibility of laparoscopic extraperitoneal herniorraphy using spinal anesthesia combined with nitrous oxide insufflation was investigated. Over a 4-month period, February to May 1998, we performed 35 consecutive total extraperitoneal inguinal hernia procedures (24 unilateral, 11 bilateral) using spinal anesthesia and nitrous oxide extraperitoneal gas. Data on operative findings, self-reported operative and postoperative pain and discomfort (visual analog pain scale), procedure-related hemodynamics, and complications were collected prospectively. All 35 procedures were completed laparoscopically without the need to convert to general anesthesia. Mean operative time was 39 +/- 7 min for unilateral hernia and 65 +/- 10 min for bilateral hernia. Incidental peritoneal tears occurred in 22 patients (63%) resulting in nitrous oxide pneumoperitoneum, which was well tolerated. The patients remained hemodynamically stable throughout the procedure, and operative conditions and visibility were excellent. Complications at a mean of 4 months after the procedure included seven uninfected seromas (20%), three patients with transient testicular pain, and one (3%) recurrence. Laparoscopic total extraperitoneal hernia repair can be safely and comfortably performed using spinal anesthesia with extraperitoneal nitrous oxide insufflation gas. This method provides a good alternative to general anesthesia.