Incisional intercostal hernia after a nephrectomy

Robotic extended total extraperitoneal transversus abdominus release for traumatic flank and abdominal intercostal hernias

PURPOSE

Traumatic abdominal intercostal/flank hernias present a perplexing challenge for surgeons seeking to repair them. There has been a paucity of studies describing robotic repairs of such hernias. We aim to evaluate the effectiveness of the Robotic-assisted Extended Total Extraperitoneal/Transversus Abdominus Release (rETEP/TAR) method in repairing traumatic abdominal intercostal and flank hernias.

METHODS

Patients with traumatic abdominal intercostal hernias at a high-volume hernia center between 2019 and 2022 were identified and retrospective data including patient demographics, perioperative parameters, postoperative complications and up to a three-year follow-up were collected for those undergoing rETEP/TAR. Robotic ETEP access was gained through the retro-rectus space ipsilateral to the hernia, using a transversus abdominis release performed laterally to the level of the posterior axillary line. Dissection was completed from the pelvis to the central tendon as necessary.

RESULTS

A total of 8 patients were analyzed. All patients suffered traumatic or Valsalvainduced hernias. The average age was 54 +/-15yrs. The mean defect size was 11x17cm. Heavyweight uncoated polypropylene mesh was placed in the retromuscular space and secured with transfascial suture. Mean mesh size was 34x30cm and mean operative time was 216 +/- 69 minutes. The median length of stay was 1 day. All patients reported improvement in pain without any evidence of recurrence at postoperative follow-up.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that the Robotic-assisted ETEP/TAR technique is an effective way of repairing abdominal intercostal and flank hernias.

Traumatic abdominal intercostal hernia: A rare experience

Traumatic abdominal intercostal hernias (AIHs) are an extremely rare surgical encounter, with amorphous literature. A case report of recurrent AIHs, evident only at surgery, and its management is presented. The inadequacy of experience and data translates to frequent missed diagnosis and suboptimal surgical management with high recurrence rates.

Mesh trimming and suture reconstruction for wound dehiscence after huge abdominal intercostal hernia repair: A case report

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Large abdominal intercostal hernia in the thoracoabdominal region must be treated.

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Repair of abdominal intercostal hernia using mesh and surgical approach is controversial.

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With exposed mesh, partial mesh removal may be an option if conditions are met.

Introduction

Abdominal intercostal hernia repair for huge incisional hernia after thoracoabdominal surgery involves a complex anatomical structure. Hence, it is difficult to apply the laparoscopic approach to large hernias in the lateral upper abdomen. Further the optimal approach to mesh exposure without infection after incisional hernia repair is still controversial. Herein, we describe our experience of repairing a huge abdominal intercostal hernia by mesh trimming and suture reconstruction for wound dehiscence.

Presentation of case

A 73-year-old man presented with an incisional hernia in the left flank from just below the eight intercostal space to the transverse umbilical region 6 months after thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm surgery. Computed tomography revealed an incisional hernia orifice of 17 × 13 cm located on the left flank around the ninth rib. We chose the open approach as treatment because the hernia orifice was large, and we created a mesh placement space in the extraperitoneal cavity and placed expanded polytetrafluoroethylene mesh there with 1–0 nonabsorbable monofilament suture. At postoperative day 26, we observed mesh exposure due to wound dehiscence. Mesh trimming and suture reconstruction for wound dehiscence was performed because there were no signs of wound infection. The postoperative course was uneventful including infection and dehiscence. The patient has been well without recurrence for 14 months since last operation.

Conclusions

Optimal treatment for repair of a large abdominal intercostal hernia with thoracoabdominal location is necessary. Moreover, partial mesh removal may be one of the treatment options for mesh exposure if conditions are met.

Robotic repair of a large abdominal intercostal hernia: a case report and review of literature

Abdominal intercostal hernia is an uncommon phenomenon, reported in few case reports and small case series. If left untreated, it can lead to strangulation and visceral ischemia. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate surgical intervention are thus critical to prevent resulting morbidity. We present a 50-year-old woman with a large abdominal intercostal hernia after an open nephrectomy. She underwent a successful robotic repair of the hernia with mesh placement. Through the presentation, we would like to raise awareness of intercostal hernia as a complication of open nephrectomy and significance of early diagnosis in avoiding potential morbidity. We also performed a review of literature especially focusing on acquired abdominal intercostal hernia secondary to prior surgery. Although intercostal hernias can be difficult to repair secondary to the size and location, adequate visualization and surgical planning are critical to successful repair.

Rare case of a strangulated intercostal flank hernia following open nephrectomy: A case report and review of literature

INTRODUCTION

Flank incisions may be associated with incisional flank hernias, which may progress to incarceration and strangulation. Compromised integrity of the abdominal and intercostal musculature due to previous surgery may be associated with herniation of abdominal contents into the intercostal space. There have been six previously reported cases of herniation into the intercostal space after a flank incision for a surgical procedure. This case highlights the clinical picture associated with an emergent strangulated hernia and highlights the critical steps in its management.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

We present a case of a 79-year-old adult man with multiple comorbidities presenting with a strangulated flank hernia secondary to an intercostal incision for a right-sided open nephrectomy. The strangulated hernia required emergent intervention including right-sided hemi-colectomy with ileostomy and mucous fistula.

DISCUSSION

Abdominal incisional hernias are rare and therefore easily overlooked, but may result in significant morbidity or even death in the patient.. The diagnosis can be made with a thorough clinical examination and ultrasound or computed topographical investigation. Once a hernia has become incarcerated, emergent surgical management is necessary to avoid strangulation and small bowel obstruction.

CONCLUSION

Urgent diagnosis and treatment of this extremely rare hernia is paramount especially in the setting of strangulation.

Acquired abdominal intercostal hernia: a case report and literature review

Acquired abdominal intercostal hernia (AAIH) is a rare disease phenomenon where intra-abdominal contents reach the intercostal space directly from the peritoneal cavity through an acquired defect in the abdominal wall musculature and fascia. We discuss a case of a 51-year-old obese female who arrived to the emergency room with a painful swelling between her left 10th rib and 11th rib. She gave a history of a stab wound to the area 15 years earlier. A CT scan revealed a fat containing intercostal hernia with no diaphragmatic defect. An open operative approach with a hernia patch was used to repair this hernia. These hernias are difficult to diagnose, so a high clinical suspicion and thorough history and physical exam are important. This review discusses pathogenesis, clinical presentation, complications, and appropriate treatment strategies of AAIH.

Suspected incisional hernia leading to resection of rib sequestrum: a rare case report

Intercostal incisional hernias are rarely encountered post-operative complications. Bone sequestra of the ribs are similarly rare. We report a very rare case of a left sided rib bone sequestrum mimicking an incisional hernia after a nephrectomy, splenectomy, and distal pancreatectomy.

[Nephrectomy: complication management]

BACKGROUND

Nephrectomy is a standard procedure that is associated with a low complication rate.

OBJECTIVES

Based on an analysis of the literature, expert recommendations, and our own experience, the management of complications during and after nephrectomy is described.

RESULTS

Complications during and after nephrectomy can be avoided by careful surgical planning, optimal approach and exposure, and precise knowledge of the principles of anatomy. The treatment of bleeding complications and injuries to neighboring structures are essential elements in the management of complications. Hernia and relaxation of the lumbar muscles should be avoided.

CONCLUSION

Morbidity associated with nephrectomy can be reduced by careful surgical planning and paying attention to the basic anatomical and surgical principles.

Acquired abdominal intercostal hernia: case report and systematic review of the literature

PURPOSE

The protrusion of abdominal viscera through an intercostal space under an intact diaphragm is a very rare condition. The aim of this study is to elucidate the etiology, clinical features, and therapeutic options on what several authors call "abdominal intercostal hernia" (AIH).

METHODS

A typical case of AIH of the 9th left intercostal space in a 48-year-old man is presented. A literature search was conducted on the Medline and Scopus databases. Only acquired AIHs (AAIHs) were considered, while lung, transdiaphragmatic, and congenital intercostal hernias were excluded.

RESULTS

Eighteen studies met selection criteria and a total of 20 patients were useful for analysis. Etiology was related mainly to traumatism (65 %) or to previous surgery (20 %). The intercostal defects were mostly located under the 9th rib without significant differences as to side. The main symptom was chest swelling (85 %), often associated with discomfort or pain (76 %). Acute complications such as incarceration and strangulation occurred in three patients. CT was the most employed diagnostic tool (80 %). Early diagnosis was made in 25 % of cases. Seventeen patients underwent hernia repair with either open (73 %) or laparoscopic approach (28 %), and various techniques with and without prosthesis were described. Recurrence occurred in 28.6 % of patients, during a mean follow-up of 8.6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

AAIH should be always suspected when chest swelling occurs after a minor or major trauma, and CT must be promptly performed to rule out diaphragmatic or abdominal viscera injury. This condition requires surgery to prevent serious complications, the first-choice technique should be mesh tension-free repair.

Incisional intercostal hernia with prolapse of the colon after right partial nephrectomy

A 75-year-old woman with a history of myocardial infarction, gallstones, and right renal cancer was referred to our department because of right flank pain. She had a surgical scar on the right abdomen between the 10th and 11th ribs; computed tomography demonstrated intercostal herniation of the colon. Recognizing the possibility of adhesions of the hernia and colon, we used a median skin incision and patched a polyester mesh coated with absorbent collagen. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course, with no pain for 6 months postoperatively. Transdiaphragmatic intercostal hernias with abdominal contents commonly develop after trauma or thoracic surgery. Incisional intercostal hernias seldom develop after nephrectomy; the present case is only the fourth report. We conjecture that a costochondral incision can induce subluxation of the costotransverse joint, intercostal nerve injury, and atrophy of the intercostal and abdominal oblique muscles. Surgeons must therefore recognize the potential, albeit rare, for intercostal hernia after nephrectomy.

A large abdominal intercostal hernia in a patient with vascular type Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: a surgical challenge

A patient with vascular type Ehlers-Danlos syndrome developed a large abdominal intercostal hernia secondary to coughing. The tissue friability and associated risks for arterial ruptures and visceral perforations in these patients make hernia repair challenging. The hernia was successfully treated using a novel approach.

Laparoscopic repair of left lumbar hernia after laparoscopic left nephrectomy

Lumbar hernias, rarely seen in clinical practice, can be acquired after open or laparoscopic flank surgery. We describe a successful laparoscopic preperitoneal mesh repair of multiple trocar-site hernias after extraperitoneal nephrectomy. All the key steps including creating a peritoneal flap, reducing the hernia contents, and fixation of the mesh are described. A review of the literature on this infrequent operation is presented. Laparoscopic repair of lumbar hernias has all the advantages of laparoscopic ventral hernia repair.