Preoperative Progressive Pneumoperitoneum Research Articles

V-002 MASSIVE INGUINAL HERNIA REPAIR WITH CHEMICAL COMPONENT RELAXATION AND PREOPERATIVE PROGRESSIVE PNEUMOPERITONEUM

Abstract Inguinal hernias are one of the most common procedures performed worldwide. Conversely, massive or giant inguinal hernias; defined as extending below the midpoint of the inner thigh are very uncommon. They are often associated with loss of domain, posing a different set of challenges for the surgeon, specially creating intra-abdominal space for the displaced organs. Preoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum (PPP) coupled with chemical denervation with botulinum toxin A (BTA) is one way to increase the size of the intrabdominal cavity to aid in reduction of the hernia contents and closure of the defect. We present a case of a 51-year-old male with a massive right inguinal hernia with complete loss of domain. The hernia sac contained the entirety of his small bowel and colon except for his proximal duodenum and distal rectum which remained intrabdominal. We preformed preoperative BTA chemical denervation and progressive pneumoperitoneum prior to staged open Inguinal hernia repair. 1 month preoperatively BTA injections were performed under ultrasound guidance into the external and internal obliques at 3 locations bilaterally and an intraabdominal catheter was placed under laparoscopic guidance. The patient was insufflated with filter air 3 times a week for 3 weeks. He then underwent open repair with preperitoneal mesh placed and orchiectomy.

P-025 USE OF PREOPERATORY PNEUMOPERITONEUM FOR GIANT INGUINOESCROTAL HERNIA TREATMENT WITH LOSS OF DOMAIN. A GREAT RESOURSE

Abstract Introduction Recently, the use of neoadjuvant therapies such as preoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum has favored the treatment of large ventral hernias with loss of domain. Despite this, there are only few cases described in the literature. Materials & Methods We present a case of a 69-year-old male affected by giant inguinoescrotal hernia of years of evolution with loss of domain. A preoperative CT scan with volumetric quantification is performed where giant left inguinal hernia with mesenteric fat content, small intestine, sigma, descending colon, as well as splenic angle of the colon, with a relationship between the volumes greater than 0.67. (VSH of 11,502cc and VABD of 17,061cc). We decided to perform preoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum. In the following 15 days up to 8L are administered without complications. Results Surgical repair of the inguinal hernia is performed according to the Lichtenstein technique modified by the size of the hernial sac with evidence of unstructured but intact structures of the inguinal canal. Placement of self-adhesive ProGrip TM retroaponeurotic mesh is performed with attachment of this to the inguinal ligament and pubis. After surgery, the patient presented a good postoperative recovery without complications, without evidence of recurrence more than 6 months after surgery. Discussion The use of prehabilitating techniques in patients affected by large hernias can reduce the morbidity and mortality of patients, with the less aggression. In our case it allowed us to completely reduce all the hernia contents without visceral injury and perform an anatomical repair, which would not have been possible without this resource.

Early preoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum for a symptomatic giant abdominal incisional hernia.

Introduction and importanceEarly preoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum (PPP) is a technique that helps large eventrations with loss of domain to reintroduce protruded organs. However, a standardized technique has not been developed. This technique has been proved in elective patients, but the evidence is scarce in patients with a high risk of incarceration/strangulation.Clinical findings and investigationsWe present a 61-year-old patient with history of a thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair, developed a massive incisional hernia with loss of domain. At admission, he presented with abdominal pain and inability to reduce the hernia by himself, however it reduced after clinical examination. Aortic syndromes were excluded.Interventions and outcomeAfter a multidisciplinary meeting, early PPP was initially performed. Later he was taken to surgery and admitted in the ICU to prevent abdominal hypertension. Medical complications resolved within 14 days. The patient did not report long-term complications.Relevance and impactPPP is a technique that pursues the prevention of abdominal hypertension syndrome in patients with large hernias with loss of domain electively. For patients with high risk of hernia complications, the evidence is limited regarding the applicability of early PPP. A multidisciplinary team can improve decision making and therefore reduce the risk of long-term complications. We show a case where PPP was performed in an acute painful, reducible hernia with a high risk of incarceration, showing that this approach can be an option for acutely ill patients.

Botulinum Toxin A Facilitated Laparoscopic Repair of Complex Ventral Hernia.

Background: Complex ventral hernia repair can be challenging despite the recent advances in surgical techniques. Here, we aimed to examine the effectiveness of preoperative combined use of botulinum toxin A (BTA) and preoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum (PPP) for surgical preparation of patients with complex ventral hernia.Methods: In this prospective, observational study, we included 22 patients with complex ventral hernia between January 2018 and May 2021. All patients were treated with BTA injections into the lateral abdominal muscles and PPP before hernia repair. The lengths of abdominal wall muscles, the volumes of the incisional hernia (VIH), the volumes of the abdominal cavity (VAC), and the VIH/VAC ratio were measured before and after BTA and PPP using abdominal CT scan. All Hernias were repaired using laparoscopic intra-peritoneal onlay mesh (IPOM) or laparoscopic-open-laparoscopic (LOL) techniques.Results: Imaging showed a significant increase in the mean lateral abdominal muscle length from 13.1 to 17.2 cm/side (p < 0.01). Before and after BTA and PPP, the mean VIH was 894 cc and 1209 cc (P < 0.01), and the mean VAC was 6,692 cc and 9,183 cc (P < 0.01). The VAC increased by 2,491 cc (P < 0.01) and was greater than the mean VIH before PPP. An average reduction of 0.9% of the VIH/VAC ratio after BTA and PPP was obtained (p > 0.05). All hernias were surgically reduced with mesh, hernia recurrence occurred in only two patients.Conclusions: The preoperative combined use of PPP and BTA increased the abdominal volume, lengthened the laterally retracted abdominal muscles, and facilitated laparoscopic closure of large complex ventral hernia.

Incisional Hernias with Loss of Abdominal Domain: A New Look to an Older Issue or the Elephant in the Living Room. Literature Review.

Incisional hernia (IH) is a postoperative defect of the abdominal wall through which the contents of the peritoneal cavity are externalized beneath the skin in a peritoneal sac. IH differs in anatomic complexity, but also in its associated comorbidities and surgical history. As IH enlarges, complications occur and these become part of its natural history. The goal of the study is to review the impact of loss of domain upon abdominal wall before and after abdominal wall reconstruction. The absence of anatomical and functional linea alba leads to a combination of muscular disturbances, chronic respiratory and gastrointestinal conditions, and psychosocial issues. The pathophysiological changes are also due to the decrease of the intra-abdominal pressure (IAP). During repair, the sudden reintroduction of the viscera into an unprepared cavity leads to a sudden increase in cavity volume and an increase in IAP with fatal pathophysiological implications. For an optimal repair, preoperatively, the abdominal wall must be augmented by achieving the following objectives: reducing the volume of the sac contents, optimizing compliance, enlargement of the container. At the same time, for the optimal repair, the following must be taken into account: increased knowledge about this condition to manage systemic and local changes, CT scan evaluation, monitoring IAP, plateau pressure (PP), and Positive End Expiratory Pressure (PEEP). In conclusion, the goals can be achieved by systemic optimization with a multidisciplinary team, using Preoperative Progressive Pneumoperitoneum (PPP) and/or Botox (BTX), and abdominal wall reconstruction through a mesh with augmented component separation technique.

2021 Canadian Surgery Forum: Virtual, online Sept. 21-24, 2021.

# 01. Design and validation of a unique endoscopy simulator using a commercial video game {#article-title-2} Procedural simulation has been shown to enhance early endoscopy training. In this proof of concept study, we aimed to show that a first-person shooter (FPS) video game with a novel in-house

OV16 MASSIVE COMPLEX INGUINAL HERNIA

Abstract Aim Massive complex inguinal hernias can be exceptionally difficult to repair, especially when they are associated with loss of domain (LOD). We aim to demonstrate an open preperitoneal approach to a complex massive inguinal hernia extending into the scrotum with severe LOD. Material and Methods Footage from clinic, diagnostic imaging, and all operative procedures was included. This included botulinum toxin A (BTA) injection, diagnostic laparoscopy and placement of a peritoneal catheter, outpatient pre-operative progressive pneumoperitoneum (PPP), and the preperitoneal hernia repair. Results A 53-year-old male construction worker with a known inguinal hernia presented with worsening groin and scrotal pain, associated with fever. CT imaging showed an abscess secondary to perforated diverticulitis within his massive inguinal hernia, as well as massive loss of domain with almost all small and large intestine within the hernia. He was treated with antibiotics and percutaneous drainage in preparation for surgery. He received pre-operative bilateral BTA injection in the oblique abdominal musculature. Subsequently, he underwent diagnostic laparoscopy and peritoneal catheter placement. He received 2 weeks of outpatient PPP. He then underwent open inguinal hernia repair with left orchiectomy and total abdominal colectomy. The hernia was repaired with a biologic mesh placed in the pre-peritoneal plane. The patient recovered very well and had no wound complications post-operatively. He has since followed up in clinic multiple times with no recurrence and excellent cosmetic results. Conclusions In this patient with a complex massive inguinal hernia and loss of domain, we demonstrate a successful open preperitoneal repair following pre-operative BTA injection and PPP.

P008 SYNCHRONOUS SURGICAL TREATMENT OF MORBID OBESITY AND COMPLEX VENTRAL HERNIA AFTER PROGRESSIVE PNEUMOPERITONEUM AND BOTULINUM TOXIN A INJECTION

Abstract Aim the worldwide increase in morbidly obese patients with complex hernia raises controversies in the choice of the appropriate treatment timing: synchronous bariatric and abdominal wall surgery versus delayed abdominal wall surgery. We report an innovative tailored surgical treatment carried out at our Institution. Material and Methods the approach provided the injection, six weeks before surgery, of 500 international units of botulinum toxin A on either side of the large abdominal wall muscles. Four weeks before surgery pneumoperitoneum was inducted and out-patient daily sessions of progressive insufflation with ambient air were then carried out. Surgery was scheduled 48 days after botulinum injection. Sleeve gastrectomy and simultaneous posterior component separation with transversus abdominis release were performed. Two prosthetic meshes were placed sublay. Results Postoperative superficial surgical site infection was successfully treated with negative pressure wound therapy. At one year follow up no hernia recurrence was recorded while total body weight loss was 31%. Conclusions a delay in ventral hernia repair could worsen quality of life of morbidly obese patients. In such high risk patients, the choice of the best surgical strategy remains controversial. There is great concern in performing bariatric surgery simultaneously to hernia repair, although there is lack of evidence on which is the ideal treatment modality. Synchronous bariatric surgery and complex ventral hernia repair should be approached in high volume centres where a consolidated experience of multidisciplinary team-work is available. Combined botulinum toxin A and preoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum administration allow for a safe resolution of loss of domain.

P015 ABDOMINAL WALL PREPARATION PRECEDING COMPLEX ABDOMINAL WALL RECONSTRUCTION (CAWR) - SINGLE CENTER INITIAL EXPERIENCES UTILIZING BOTULINUM TOXIN A (BTA) ACCOMPANIED IN SELECTED PATIENTS BY PREOPERATIVE PROGRESSIVE PNEUMOPERITONEUM (PPP)

Abstract Aim Complex ventral hernia (CVH) treatment due to large abdominal wall defects or loss of domain is challenging. BTA-injection in lateral abdominal wall causing flaccid paralysis and elongation, so called chemical component separation (CCS), might facilitate closure of large fascial defects. Combining preoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum might help restore abdominal content in severe loss of domain situations. We studied the results after CAWR following abdominal wall preparation with BTA and possible PPP. Primary aim was to report fascial defect closure rate without need for surgical component separation. Material and Methods All electively operated patients to date that were treated preoperatively with BTA, including all patients treated with PPP. Results Hospital index patient received preoperative BTA in January 2018. Since then, altogether 42 patients underwent CCS prior to CAWR. Average patient suffered from obesity (mean BMI 31), 30% had diabetes, and a third were active smokers. Mean hernia defect area exceeded 200 cm2. All operations were mesh repairs. Surgical approach was mostly (88%) open retromuscular. Abdominal wall reconstruction via fascial closure was achieved in 93% of cases with only 21% needing surgical component separation. Preoperative morbidity was common in patients undergoing PPP. Around 40% of all patients had postoperative complications, half of which were surgical complications. One patient died of a yet unknown cause on the third postoperative day. There were no recurrences within median 15 months follow-up. Conclusions Restoring abdominal wall continuity without frequent need for surgical component separation seems likely in CVH following CCS.

Preoperative Progressive Pneumoperitoneum Revisited.

Incisional hernia represents a common and potentially serious complication of open abdominal surgery, with up to 20% of all patients undergoing laparotomy subsequently developing an incisional hernia. This incidence increases to as much as 35% for laparotomies performed in high-risk patients and emergency procedures. A rarely used technique for enabling closure of large ventral hernias with loss of domain is preoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum (PPP), which uses intermittent insufflation to gradually stretch the contracted abdominal wall muscles, increasing the capacity of the abdominal cavity and allowing viscera to re-establish right of domain. This assists in tension-free closure of giant hernias which may otherwise be considered inoperable. This technique may be used on its own, or in conjunction with preoperative Botulinum Toxin A to confer paralysis to the lateral oblique muscles. These two complementary techniques, are changing the way complex hernias are managed.

Bilateral giant inguinoscrotal hernia: A case report.

IntroductionBilateral giant inguinoscrotal hernia (GIH) is rare and creates significant challenge in surgical management. The main concern of hernia reduction to abdominal cavity is development of abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS). Different approaches for prevention of ACS after surgery have been suggested.Case presentationWe report a case of 68-year-old male with bilateral inguinoscrotal hernia for 20 years reaching just below midpoint of thigh. He presented with difficulty in micturition and mobility. Preoperative investigations were normal. He underwent bilateral mesh repair without any preoperative or intraoperative adjunct measures. No significant complication occurred in postoperative period.Case discussionBilateral GIH is rare and the patients usually present late. GIH has been classified into three types on the basis of extension. Type I GIH can be managed with simple hernioplasty, in both unilateral and bilateral cases. Measures like resection of hernia contents and measures to enlarge intraabdominal space are warranted in type II and III GIH. Abdominal volume can be increased by utilising techniques like Pre-operative Progressive Pneumoperitoneum (PPP), injection of Botulinum toxin A (BTA) in the anterior abdominal wall, and rotation of viable tissue. The measures can be used either alone or in combination.ConclusionType I GIH can be treated with simple hernioplasty with safety with monitoring for features of ACS and respiratory complications postoperatively. However, additional measures like resection of hernia contents or procedures to enlarge intra-abdominal space are warranted for type II and III GIH.

Seven years of preoperative BTA abdominal wall preparation and the Macquarie system for surgical management of complex ventral hernia.

To assess 7-year outcomes after complex ventral hernia (CVH) repair using pre-operative Botulinum toxin A (BTA) injection and the Macquarie System of management. Clinical examination and functional non-contrast abdominal CT scans were used to assess complications and recurrences encountered in a prospective series of 88 consecutive CVH repairs using pre-operative BTA injection (200 or 300 units) between November 2012 and December 2019. Pre-operative progressive pneumoperitoneum (PPP) and/or component separation (CS) were also used in some cases. All hernia defects (mean transverse width 12.9 ± 5.2cm) were successfully closed using either laparoscopic or laparoscopic-assisted open techniques facilitated by pre-operative BTA injection. The mean pre-operative post-BTA lateral oblique length gain was 4.7 ± 2.2cm/side (p < 0.001). In 43 patients with defects < 12cm wide, closure was achieved using BTA-only in 33 (76.7%), BTA + PPP in 2 (4.7%), BTA + CS in 5 (11.6%) and BTA + PPP + CS in 3 (7.0%). In the remaining 45 patients with defects [Formula: see text] 12cm wide, closure was achieved using BTA-only in 9 (20.0%), BTA + PPP in 11 (24.4%), BTA + CS in 5 (11.1%) and BTA + PPP + CS in 20 (44.4%). There was a significant correlation between increasing defect size and the need for 2 or more CVH closure procedures (χ2 = 25.28, p < 0.0005). There were no BTA complications. Two patients developed midline hernia recurrences. Pre-operative BTA injection of the abdominal wall is a safe procedure that facilitates hernia defect closure and reduces the need for CS, especially when defect size is less than 12cm. BTA may also decrease the rate of hernia recurrence.

Preoperative Progressive Pneumoperitoneum and Botulinum Toxin Type A in Patients With Large Parastomal Hernia.

Background: The combination of preoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum (PPP) and botulinum toxin type A (BTA) in adjuvant treatment of large parastomal hernia (LPH) has not been reported in the previous literature.Methods: From February 2018 to June 2019, 16 patients were diagnosed with LPH in our hospital were included in this study. All patients received PPP and BTA treatment to expand abdominal volume and extend abdominal muscle before surgery. The laparoscopic Sugarbaker method was preferred for defect close.Results: Before and after PPP and BTA, the mean volume of the parastomal hernia (VPH) was 1,522 and 1,644 cc, respectively (P < 0.01), and the mean volume of the abdominal cavity (VAC) was 5,847 and 9,408 cc, respectively (P < 0.01). The VPH/VAC ratio was decreased by an average of 8.4% after the combination management. And the lateral abdominal muscle length was increased by an average of 4.8 cm/side (P < 0.01). These patients underwent surgery successfully, and no hernia recurrence after (17.6 ± 2.4) months of follow-up.Conclusions: The combination of PPP and BTA effectively expand the abdominal volume, decrease the risk of abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) postoperatively, and beneficial to laparoscopic repair of LPH.

Adjunct botox to preoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum for incisional hernia with loss of domain: no additional effect but may improve outcomes.

Incisional hernia with loss of domain (IHLD) remains a surgical challenge. Its management requires complex approaches including specific preoperative and intra-operative techniques. This study focuses on the interest of adding preoperative botulinum toxin A (BTA) injection to preoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum (PPP), compared to PPP alone. Patients between January 2015 and March 2020 with IHLD who underwent pre-operative preparation were included. Their baseline characteristics were retrospectively analyzed, along with the characteristics of their incisional hernia before and after preparation including CT-scan volumetry. Intra-operative data, early post-operative outcomes, surgical site occurrences (SSOs) including surgical site infection (SSI) were recorded. Four hundred and fifty (450) patients with incisional hernia were operated, including 41 patients (9.1%) with IHLD, 13 of which had both BTA and PPP, while 28 had PPP only. Both groups were comparable in term of patients and IHLD characteristics. Median increase in the volume of the abdominal cavity (VAbC) was + 55% for the entire population (+ 58.3% for the BTA-PPP group, p < 0.0001 and + 52.8% for the PPP-alone group, p < 0.0001) although the increase in volume was not different between the two groups (p = 0.99). Complete fascial closure was achieved in all patients. SSOs were more frequent in the PPP-alone group than in the BTA-PPP group (17 (60.7%) versus 3 (23.1%) patients, respectively, p = 0.043). BTA and PPP are both useful in pre-operative preparation for IHLD. Combining both significantly increases the volume of abdominal cavity but associating BTA to PPP does not add any volumetric benefit but may decrease the post-operative SSO rate.

Synchronous Surgical Treatment of Morbid Obesity and Complex Ventral Hernia After Progressive Pneumoperitoneum and Botulinum Toxin A Injection

The worldwide increase in morbidly obese patients with complex hernia raises controversies in the choice of the appropriate treatment timing: synchronous bariatric and abdominal wall surgery versus delayed abdominal wall surgery. We report an innovative tailored surgical treatment carried out at our Institution. The approach provided the injection, 6 weeks before surgery, of 500 IU of botulinum toxin A on either side of the large abdominal wall muscles. Four weeks before surgery, pneumoperitoneum was inducted and out-patient daily sessions of progressive insufflation with ambient air were then carried out. Surgery was scheduled 48 days after botulinum injection. Sleeve gastrectomy and simultaneous posterior component separation with transversus abdominis release were performed. Two prosthetic meshes were placed sublay. Postoperative superficial surgical site infection was successfully treated with negative pressure wound therapy. At a 1-year follow-up, no hernia recurrence was recorded while total body weight loss was 31%. A delay in ventral hernia repair could worsen the quality of life of morbidly obese patients. In such high-risk patients, the choice of the best surgical strategy remains controversial. There is great concern in performing bariatric surgery simultaneously to hernia repair, although there is lack of evidence on which is the ideal treatment modality. Synchronous bariatric surgery and complex ventral hernia repair should be approached in high-volume centres where a consolidated experience of multidisciplinary teamwork is available. Combined botulinum toxin A and preoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum administration allow for a safe resolution of loss of domain.

Complex Incisional Hernia – Easy To Diagnose But What To Do After?

Introduction. Loss of domain represents a defect in abdominal wall or loss of continuity of fascial closure, with more than 20% of the peritoneal cavity content under the skin in a serous sac, where the reconstruction involves additional reconstructive techniques. Clinical Case. A 63-year-old active smoker with multiple comorbidities such as COPD severe form with the need for oxygen at home (may be an absolute contraindication) and surgical history of open umbilical hernia repair with a rapid development of loss of domain hernia (2 weeks after surgery) was prepared preoperatively with Botulinum Toxin type A and Preoperative Progressive Pneumoperitoneum. Discussion. Despite comorbidities, by optimizing the abdominal wall with Botulinum Toxin type A and Preoperative Progressive Pneumoperitoneum with the intraoperative use of the Rives-Stoppa technique or posterior separation of components, Abdominal Wall Strength Score improves significantly in a short time, with quick socio-economic reintegration and low-rate of complications. Conclusions. By preoperative preparation, with augmentation techniques of the abdominal wall, thus, even the barriers given by comorbidities (absolute contraindications) are overcame, with low postoperative risks, offering the patient a normal quality of life.

Surgical treatment for inguinoscrotal hernia with loss of dominion with preoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum and botulinum toxin: Case report and systematic review of the literature

Surgical treatment for inguinoscrotal hernia with loss of dominion with preoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum and botulinum toxin: Case report and systematic review of the literature

Management of complex hernias with loss of domain using daily and fractioned preoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum: a retrospective single-center cohort study.

The incidence of complex hernias with loss of domain (CHLD) has been increasing and the treatment of these cases may require auxiliary techniques in addition to surgery. This study aims to refine the progressive preoperative pneumoperitonium (PPP) in patients with CHLD, to achieve an increased in wall dimensions. Patients presented with a CHLD undergoing PPP protocol were analyzed between May 2017 and May 2019. Our PPP protocol was to use two daily insufflations of 1000ml of ambient air during a period of 14days. We compared the abdominal cavity volume (ACV), the hernial sac volume (HSV) and the volume ratio (VR), before and after our refined PPP. During our evaluation period, the protocol was performed on 16 patients. The mean age was 55.73 (± 12.87), and the mean BMI was 31.35 (± 7.33). The median of HSV was 2104.53ml; Mean ACV was 6722.36ml, and median of VR was 29.97% (27.46-34.38 IIQ). The averages were: daily volume of gas ± 1526.66ml, total volume ± 17,350ml, and the PPP period of ± 10.7days. The increase in post-PPP ACV was 52.13% (p < 0.0001), and the VR decreased to 26.9% (p < 0.609). All patients' symptoms and complications were mild (according Clavien-Dindo grades I and II), and there were no loop injuries, no catheter complications, or any surgical re-interventions. The study suggests that the use of this method results in a significant increase in ACV, and reduction of the herniated content in a safe and efficient manner, with mild complications.

Obesity and ventral hernia in the context of drug addiction and mental instability: a complex scenario successfully treated with preoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum

Abstract Surgery in loss of domain hernia can result in high morbidity and mortality. Chronic muscle retraction along with the reduced volume of the peritoneal cavity can lead to potential problems such as abdominal compartment syndrome, ventilatory restriction and an elevated risk of hernia recurrence. This is affected even further by obesity; a high body mass index is strongly associated with poor outcomes after ventral hernia repair. In these individuals, preoperative preparation is vital as it can reduce surgical risks and improve patients’ outcomes. There are many strategies available. Nonetheless, an individualized case approach by a multidisciplinary team is crucial to accurately treat this troublesome pathology. We present the case of a 41-year-old obese patient with a loss of domain ventral hernia. As he had a drug addiction and several psychologic difficulties, a tailored approach was needed to successfully treat the hernia. After preoperative preparation and surgery, the patient underwent full recovery.

A systematic review of the use of progressive preoperative pneumoperitoneum since its inception.

Preoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum (PPP) is a technique that has been used since 1947 to expand the abdominal cavity volume, for presurgical preparation of patients with large hernias. This systematic review attempts to answer some unresolved questions about PPP, while using the evidence to clarify the different forms that the procedure has taken over time. The purpose of the paper was to analyze the literature about PPP and gather information about the procedure and its indications, advantages, and disadvantages. A systematic review was carried out according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria. The database searches, in English and Spanish, were made using the terms "preoperative pneumoperitoneum," "progressive pneumoperitoneum," "preoperative pneumoperitoneum," and "progressive pneumoperitoneum," for the period between 1 January 1940 and 31 May 2019. Indications, techniques, results, and complications were registered. The statistical analysis was based on means, standard deviations, medians, mode, and interquartile ranges for quantitative variables, and frequencies and percentages for categories. The qualitative synthesis was made on the basis of 53 articles that reported the treatment of a total of 1216 patients. The most frequent indication for PPP was a large incisional hernia with loss of domain. The most common technique employed a spinal needle or multipurpose catheter by the anatomical method in the left hypochondrium. In spite of the heterogeneity of the data and the management of different volumes of air and daily insufflations, 99.6% of visceral reintroduction and 86% of primary fascial closure was achieved. Complications had an incidence of 12%, mostly minor, and there were five mortalities. Preoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum (PPP) is a beneficial and safe technique to use in preparing patients with large hernias, but the procedure is not free of complications. The technique has evolved through the years and, although many variations exist, it is possible to establish an algorithm for its application.