Laparoscopic mesh repair of incisional hernia following right lower quadrant renal transplantation

Laparoscopic intraperitoneal mesh repair of a large incisional hernia in a kidney transplantation patient: A case report

A 73-year-old woman presented to our hospital because of painful bulging in the right lower abdomen, and developed a 17 × 12 cm incisional hernia after kidney transplantation using right oblique incision. Laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh (IPOM) repair was performed. Since a transplanted kidney is close to the abdominal wall defect, the space between the transplanted kidney and the abdominal wall was peeled off to secure enough space for the mesh to be place. After that the fascial defect was detected precisely, and the polypropylene-polyglycolic acid composite mesh was fixed with 3 cm overlapping of the hernia ring by non-absorbable tacks. The patient was discharged 9 days after surgery. In general, abdominal incisional hernias after kidney transplantation are relatively large with boundary defect of abdominal wall ensuing between the abdominal and allograft. However, laparoscopic IPOM repair of incisional hernia after kidney transplantation can be performed safely and effectively.

Incisional hernia repair outcome after renal transplantation in a reference center. Our experience of 7 years

INTRODUCTION

Incisional hernias secondary to renal transplantation (IHRT) are considered complex hernias because they are lateral to the sheath of the rectus abdominis muscle. The presence of the graft in the iliac fossa and the proximity to the inguinal area, costal margin and iliac bones, as zones with difficult fixation for prostheses, increases repair complexity. In addition, these patients have specific characteristics, such as treatment with immunosuppressive medication, that could alter postoperative evolution. The objective of this study was to analyze the results obtained in IHRT repair at a tertiary hospital, and to compare these data with the international literature.

METHODS

Retrospective observational study of patients treated surgically for IHRT in our unit from January 1, 2011 to January 31, 2018. Preoperative conditions, intraoperative factors and postoperative complications during follow-up were analyzed.

RESULTS

Twenty-five patients underwent hernia repair, finding a 4% hernia recurrence rate during a median follow-up of 27.5 months (20-39). The most frequently used technique was the posterior transversus abdominis release component separation technique in 42%, followed by preperitoneal repair in 27% and interoblique repair in 12%. The overall postoperative morbidity was 23%, which was frequently related to the surgical site (12%).

CONCLUSIONS

IHRT repair is a safe procedure at our medical center, with an acceptable rate of hernia recurrence, but it is not without complications.

Laparoscopic Repair of Boundary Incisional Hernia in a Kidney Transplant Patient: A Safe Tacks-Fibrin Glue Combined Mesh Fixation Technique

BACKGROUND

Incisional hernia in renal transplant patients is a complication that negatively affects the global outcome of transplant and quality of life. The repair of this condition was classically made by open repair with mesh. Increasing evidence suggests that laparoscopic repair could be advocated as the technique of choice in these patients with optimal results. However, the fixation of mesh should be performed by a mixed combination of fibrin sealant (lateral margin of wall defect) and tacks (medial margin). The tacks fixation of the mesh along the lateral margin of the wall defect, close to the graft, is generally difficult for the small size of the remaining aponeurotic plane and dangerous for the underlying presence of the graft.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A case of incisional hernia in a kidney transplant recipient was repaired by laparoscopic mesh technique. The polypropylene-polyglycolic acid composite mesh was fastened with a mixed technique of absorbable tacks for medial margin of the defect and fibrin sealant for the lateral side in contiguity with graft surface.

RESULTS

The patient was discharged after 4 days. The 6-month follow-up did not show mesh displacement or recurrence of hernia.

CONCLUSIONS

The laparoscopic mesh repair may become the criterion standard for kidney transplant patients affected by incisional hernia. The difficulties of mesh fixation close to the graft can be overcome by the combination of fibrin sealant glue and absorbable tacks at different margins of the wall defect. This technique may offer advantages for this population of patients.