A single institutional comparison of endoscopic and open abdominal component separation

Conventional versus endoscopic components separation technique: New anthropometric calculation for selection of surgical approach

Background/aim

Giant ventral incisional hernias (GVIHs) are hard to manage for surgeons. This problem was resolved in 1990 with the components separation technique (CST). We aimed to compare endoscopic and conventional CST for GVIHs and find a new anthropometric calculation.

Materials and methods

In this prospective nonrandomized clinical trial, 21 patients were treated with endoscopic or conventional CST between 2012 and 2016. Eight patients (38.1%) were operated endoscopically and 13 (61.9%) conventionally on the basis of preoperative tomography results, hernia surface area (HSA), number of recent abdominal operations, comorbidities, and the presence or history of ostomy. Groups in which prosthetic material was applied were also compared with groups in which it was not.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference between endoscopic and conventional CST groups in terms of complications. A weakly statistically significant difference (P = 0.069) was found between the components separation index (CSI) of mesh-applied and not-applied patients. HSA/body surface area (BSA) was statistically significantly different between endoscopic and conventional CST groups.

Conclusion

According to our results, HSA/BSA and CSI are statistically successful for preoperative prediction of mesh placement. Furthermore, HSA/BSA preoperatively successfully predicts whether conventional or endoscopic CST should be used in patients with GVIH.

A systematic methodological review of non-randomised interventional studies of elective ventral hernia repair: clear definitions and a standardised minimum dataset are needed

BACKGROUND

Ventral hernias (VHs) often recur after surgical repair and subsequent attempts at repair are especially challenging. Rigorous research to reduce recurrence is required but such studies must be well-designed and report representative and comprehensive outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to assesses methodological quality of non-randomised interventional studies of VH repair by systematic review.

METHODS

We searched the indexed literature for non-randomised studies of interventions for VH repair, January 1995 to December 2017 inclusive. Each prospective study was coupled with a corresponding retrospective study using pre-specified criteria to provide matched, comparable groups. We applied a bespoke methodological tool for hernia trials by combining relevant items from existing published tools. Study introduction and rationale, design, participant inclusion criteria, reported outcomes, and statistical methods were assessed.

RESULTS

Fifty studies (17,608 patients) were identified: 25 prospective and 25 retrospective. Overall, prospective studies scored marginally higher than retrospective studies for methodological quality, median score 17 (IQR: 14-18) versus 15 (IQR 12-18), respectively. For the sub-categories investigated, prospective studies achieved higher median scores for their, 'introduction', 'study design' and 'participants'. Surprisingly, no study stated that a protocol had been written in advance. Only 18 (36%) studies defined a primary outcome, and only 2 studies (4%) described a power calculation. No study referenced a standardised definition for VH recurrence and detection methods for recurrence varied widely. Methodological quality did not improve with publication year or increasing journal impact factor.

CONCLUSION

Currently, non-randomised interventional studies of VH repair are methodologically poor. Clear outcome definitions and a standardised minimum dataset are needed.

Outcomes of Laparoscopic versus Open Fascial Component Separation for Complex Ventral Hernia Repair

Ventral hernia recurrence rates have improved with advancements in technique. Open and laparoscopic fascial component separation techniques improve recurrence rates by allowing a tension free closure. This study examines laparoscopic component separation (LCS) and open component separation (OCS) techniques in the repair of complex ventral hernias and compares factors affecting patient outcomes. A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent ventral hernia repair with LCS and OCS was conducted between 2009 and 2013. Patient characteristics and outcomes were documented. Hernia recurrence was determined using physical exam and computed tomography if physical exam was equivocal. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Ten patients underwent LCS and 38 underwent OCS. The rate of wound infection in the LCS group was 20 per cent versus 50 per cent in the OCS group. The overall rate of recurrence after LCS was 20 per cent, and 26 per cent in the OCS group. For body mass index > 30, the recurrence rate was 20 per cent in the LCS group and 29 per cent ( P = 0.5) in the open group. The use of LCS demonstrates a trend in the reduction of hernia recurrence and wound infection overall and in patients with body mass index > 30 compared with OCS.