Mesh Repair Technique Research Articles

Recurrent Postoperative Perineal Hernia: Transperineal Redo Mesh Repair

Postoperative perineal hernia is a rare complication after abdominoperineal resection or pelvic exenteration. In this video article, we describe one technique of transperineal mesh repair of recurrent symptomatic perineal hernia after previous transabdominal mesh repair of the hernia developed after abdominoperineal resection. To date, this redo mesh repair is the only report that we could find in the English literature.

Reformulación conceptual de la técnica de reparación doble: una solución sencilla para defectos muy complejos de la pared abdominal

Repair of complex abdominal wall defects remains a challenge for the general surgeon. The aim of the present study was to validate the double mesh repair technique in complex hernias. We performed a prospective study of 15 patients with complex abdominal wall defects who underwent surgery in a university hospital. All patients were evaluated in a multidisciplinary unit. Indications consisted of incisional hernias with multiple recurrences (> 3 times), prior mesh complicated by fistula and chronic infection, giant diffuse lumbar hernia, and ventral hernia (associated with parastomal hernia or occurring after bariatric surgery with associated dermolipectomy). The surgical technique used was double intra-abdominal and supra-aponeurotic mesh repair without associated plasty techniques. Clinical, surgical and follow-up data were analyzed. Nine defects were lateral, three were lumbar, one was parapubic, and two were located in the mid-line (one associated with giant parastomal hernia and one occurring after bariatric surgery). Eight showed significant tissue loss, five showed trophic skin lesions, and two showed chronic suppurative infection. The mean size of the defects was 17.5 cm. Seroma occurred in three patients and limited cutaneous necrosis occurred in one patient. The mean length of hospital stay was 4.3 days (range 2-7 days). No complications, recurrences or mortality were detected during follow-up. Complex abdominal wall defects can be corrected through double repair using mesh only. This technique is simple to learn and perform and can be applied in many anatomical sites and types of defect, as well as in the presence of tissue destruction.

Laparoscopic versus open ventral hernia mesh repair: a prospective study

An incisional hernia develops in 3% to 13% of laparotomy incisions, with primary suture repair of ventral hernias yielding unsatisfactory results. The introduction of a prosthetic mesh to ensure abdominal wall strength without tension has decreased the recurrence rate, but open repair requires significant soft tissue dissection in tissues that are already of poor quality as well as flap creation, increasing complication rates and affecting the recurrence rate. A minimally invasive approach was applied to the repair pf ventral hernias, with the expectation of earlier recovery, fewer postoperative complications, and decreased recurrence rates. This prospective study was performed to objectively analyze and compare the outcomes after open and laparoscopic ventral hernia repair. The outcomes for 50 unselected patients who underwent laparoscopic ventral hernia repair were compared with those for 50 consecutive unselected patients who underwent open repair. The open surgical operations were performed by the Rives and Stoppa technique using prosthetic mesh, whereas the laparoscopic repairs were performed using the intraperitoneal onlay mesh (IPOM) repair technique in all cases. The study group consisted of 100 patients (82 women and 18 men) with a mean age of 55.25 years (range, 30-83 years). The patients in the two groups were comparable at baseline in terms of sex, presenting complaints, and comorbid conditions. The patients in laparoscopic group had larger defects (93.96 vs 55.88 cm2; p = 0.0023). The mean follow-up time was 20.8 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 18.5640-23.0227 months). The mean surgery durations were 90.6 min for the laparoscopic repair and 93.3 min for the open repair (p = 0.769, nonsignificant difference). The mean postoperative stay was shorter for the laparoscopic group than for the open hernia group (2.7 vs 4.7 days; p = 0.044). The pain scores were similar in the two groups at 24 and 48 h, but significantly less at 72 h in the laparoscopic group (mean visual analog scale score, 2.9412 vs 4.1702; p = 0.001). There were fewer complications (24%) and recurrences (2%) among the patients who underwent laparoscopic repair than among those who had open repair (30% and 10%, respectively). The findings demonstrate that laparoscopic ventral hernia repair in our experience was safe and resulted in shorter operative time, fewer complications, shorter hospital stays, and less recurrence. Hence, it should be considered as the procedure of choice for ventral hernia repair.

Incisional hernia—comparison of mesh repair with Cardiff repair: an university hospital experience

Incisional hernia is a frequent complication of abdominal surgery. Various types of repair are recommended for incisional hernia. Suture and mesh repair are compared in the present study. One hundred seventy one patients with incisional hernia underwent Cardiff repair (far and near sutures with reinforcement sutures) which was used as an open suture repair while onlay polypropylene mesh was used in the mesh repair technique. Cardiff repair was performed in 116 patients with no mortality with recurrence in two patients with mean follow up of 7.1 years. Both these patients with recurrence had a defect measuring more than 10 cm in width. Mesh repair was carried out in 55 patients with no recurrence in mean follow up of 37 months. Seroma formation was noted in 7 (12.72%) with mesh repair as compared to 4 (3.44%) patients with Cardiff repair. We recommend Cardiff repair for primary and small to medium size incisional hernias. Onlay polypropylene mesh is ideal for tension-free hernia repair, recurrent incisional hernia and hernia defects wider than 10 cm.

Inguinal hernia surgery in The Netherlands: a baseline study before the introduction of the Dutch Guidelines

In 2003 the Dutch Guidelines for treatment of inguinal hernia (IH) were published. For treatment of IH in adults, the evidence-based guidelines recommend the use of a mesh repair technique. In order to be able to evaluate the effects of these guidelines, a baseline analysis of inguinal hernia surgery before the introduction of these guidelines had to be performed. The second analysis will be performed two years (January-March 2005) after the publication of the Guidelines. To make an inventory of IH surgery in the Netherlands, before the introduction of guidelines for IH treatment, to serve as a baseline for future evaluation of the impact of the implementation of these guidelines. A retrospective descriptive study was performed in 2003 using patient and operation charts including IH repairs performed in The Netherlands over a three-month period (January-March 2001). 97/133 (73%) hospitals cooperated with the study, generating data from a total of 4386 IH in 3979 patients (3284 adults, 695 children). Mesh techniques were used in 2839 (78%) adult inguinal hernias while 800 (22%) patients were treated with non-mesh techniques. 484 (14.7%) adult patients were operated on during the study period for a recurrent hernia from previous years. Early recurrence (<1 year) occurred in 2.2% of all patients. Wound infection was documented in 0.8% of all IH. The mortality rate was 0.1%. 1257 of the 3284 (38.3%) adults, and 566 of the 695 children (81.4%), were operated on in ambulatory care. In the episode prior to implementation of the Dutch evidence-based Guidelines for treatment of inguinal hernia, 2839 (78%) adult patients were treated with mesh repair and 484 (13.3%) patients were treated for a recurrent hernia.

New technique for inguinal hernia repair

We compared a new fascia transversalis based hernioplasty with mesh repair techniques which leave the fascia transversalis intact. We prospectively randomized 180 consecutive patients with inguinal hernia to undergo one of the three hernia repair techniques. Hernias were repaired either by using the new fascia transversalis repair-Coskun's hernia repair (FTR), based on the plication of fascia using continuous sutures and followed by a second layer of interrupted or continuous sutures between inguinal ligament and conjoint tendon to distribute the tension, or one of the two mesh repair techniques: anterior (Lichtenstein) or posterior (preperitoneal) repair. Parameters such as age, sex, hernia cause, operation time, type of anesthesia, surgeon's seniority, complications, hospital stay and follow-up were evaluated. Recurrence rates were determined through clinical examination. Effect of prostatism, co-morbid disease, operation time, complications and Nyhus type of hernia on recurrences were also analysed. Most patients in each group were operated on under general anesthesia (78% vs. 80% vs. 85% for FTR, Lichtenstein, and preperitoneal repair, respectively) and by surgeons in training (average 78%). Patients were followed up for a median of 36 months. FTR had less complications and an acceptable time for operation whereas preperitoneal repairs needed more seniority, longer operation time, and caused more complications. There were only 3 (1.6%) recurrences, none in the FTR group and two the in Lichtenstein group during first postoperative year. There was no recurrence in preperitoneal repair group. All patients with recurrences had an operation time longer than 60 min and were operated on by surgeons in training. Two patients with recurrences had prostatism symptoms and chronic cough. We conclude that the new FTR is as effective as mesh repair (either anterior or posterior) with an acceptable rate of recurrences, fewer complications, and that it can be performed by the surgeons in training.

Simplified technique for incisional hernia repair with mesh prosthesis.

This paper describes a simplified technique for the repair of incisional hernias. The previous scar is resected, and the peritoneal sac is carefully dissected until it is completely exposed. The sac is opened to liberate structures adherent to the sac or to the area immediately surrounding the defect. The peritoneum is closed and invaginated to form a sac bed underlying the entire extent of the defect, and the mesh is laid on this sac bed. The mesh is then fixed with "U" stitches, reinforcing these by inserting a second line from the edge of the defect to the mesh. Suture material used is polypropylene 1/0 or 2/0. This procedure has been carried out on 15 patients, and after 1 year of follow-up, there has been no recurrence of the hernia. Operating time was reduced, and the surgical technique was found to be easier. Placing a mesh prosthesis inside the hernia sac and fixing it to the abdominal wall with two lines of suturing simplifies the repair procedure, reduces operating time, and is effective in the repair of all incisional hernias. A study is required to compare this outcome with the different mesh repair techniques.

Inguinal hernia repair: where to next?

Hernia repair is one of the most frequently performed operations in general surgery - a total of 39 000 elective inguinal hernia repairs were performed in public and private hospitals in Australia between July 1998 and June 1999 - and, as such, even minor alterations in outcome and resource use have appreciable impact. However, decisions regarding choice of operation for hernia repair remain controversial. The purpose of the present paper is to critically evaluate the evidence available regarding recently introduced open mesh repair techniques and to try to identify meaningful directions for future hernia research. A thorough search of all published surgical literature was undertaken. Medline, EMBASE and the Cochrane databases were searched by title, by key words and by author. References in review articles and in textbooks were pursued. The manufacturing companies were contacted for trials evaluating their product. Eight original articles evaluating either the Kugel Patch, the PerFix Plug or the Prolene Hernia System were located. None of these trials directly compared two or more of these repair systems. To date, there has been no published review of the evidence regarding the newer mesh repair techniques. With one exception, all of these articles qualify as Level IV evidence. Highlighted is the lack of evidence regarding chronic significant posthernioplasty pain - this has an incidence of 6-12%. This complication is 3-5 times more common than recurrence after open repair, is clinically relevant, is poorly understood and has been poorly studied. Arguably it is a more important end point than recurrence. Only one study comparing the newer techniques of open hernia repair (PerFix Plug) constitutes level II evidence. The PerFix Plug appears to be quicker to insert and uses a smaller incision. Chronic significant posthernioplasty pain is a more important endpoint in hernia research than is recurrence, and this review concludes with a proposal for a multicentre, randomized, controlled trial evaluating the incidence of chronic significant posthernioplasty pain following elective mesh repair of primary, unilateral -hernias.

Mesh repair of parastomal hernias: new aspects of the Onlay technique.

When a hernia becomes symptomatic with pain, obstruction, or mechanical distortion, need for a repair is likely. In this short note are new aspects on the Onlay mesh repair technique of parastomal hernias presented. The satisfactory results achieved in 5 patients are reported. One recurrence required a further successful repair.

Does the mesh require fixation?

As the technique of laparoscopic mesh repair of groin hernia has evolved, the need for mesh fixation has been questioned. Staple fixation has resulted in nerve injury, and some recurrences have been attributed to the use of a mesh that is too small. Drawing on a successful experience from open preperitoneal techniques, laparoscopic surgeons are now reporting results using large mesh without fixation. Early reports show varying success with the technique. Although the problem of nerve damage has been solved, high recurrence rates are reported in which the technique has been used to repair recurrent hernias. Although further studies are required to establish the causes and natural history of mesh migration, initial experience with the technique appears promising.

New technique for mesh repair of paracolostomy hernias.

Paracolostomy hernias are common and require treatment when symptomatic. Traditional methods of repair have high recurrence rates. We describe a new technique using polytetrafluoroethylene mesh, which offers preservation of stoma site, lack of recurrences, ease, and safety.