Retromuscular mesh and hernial sac technique in the reconstruction of 139 cases of large median incisional hernias: one institution's experience

Favourable outcomes after Retro-Rectus (Rives-Stoppa) Mesh Repair as Treatment for Non-Complex Ventral Abdominal Wall Hernia, a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

To assess prevalence of hernia recurrence, surgical site infection (SSI), seroma, serious complications, and mortality after retro-rectus repair.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Ventral abdominal wall hernia is a common problem, tied to increasing frailty and obesity of patients undergoing surgery. For non-complex ventral hernia, retro-rectus (Rives-Stoppa) repair is considered the gold standard treatment. Level-1 evidence confirming this presumed superiority is lacking.

METHODS

Five databases were searched for studies reporting on retro-rectus repair. Single-armed and comparative randomized and non-randomized studies were included. Outcomes were pooled with mixed-effects, inverse variance or random-effects models.

RESULTS

Ninety-three studies representing 12440 patients undergoing retro-rectus repair were included. Pooled hernia recurrence was estimated at 3.2% (95%CI: 2.2-4.2%, n = 11049) after minimally 12 months and 4.1%, (95%CI: 2.9-5.5%, n = 3830) after minimally 24 months. Incidences of SSI and seroma were estimated at respectively 5.2% (95%CI: 4.2-6.4%, n = 4891) and 5.5% (95%CI: 4.4-6.8%, n = 3650). Retro-rectus repair was associated with lower recurrence rates compared to onlay repair (OR: 0.27, 95%CI: 0.15-0.51, p < 0.001) and equal recurrence rates compared to intraperitoneal onlay (IPOM) repair (OR: 0.92, 95%CI: 0.75-1.12, p = 0.400). Retro-rectus repair was associated with more SSI than IPOM repair (OR: 1.8, 95%CI: 1.03-3.14, p = 0.038). Minimally invasive retro-rectus repair displayed low rates of recurrence (1.3%, 95%CI: 0.7-2.3%, n = 849) and SSI (1.5%, 95%CI: 0.8-2.8%, n = 982), albeit based on non-randomized studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Retro-rectus (Rives-Stoppa) repair results in excellent outcomes, superior or similar to other techniques for all outcomes except surgical site infection. The latter rarely occurred, yet less frequently after IPOM repair, which is usually performed by laparoscopy.

Tracking stem cells in the incisional hernial sac: a gaze beyond pure tissue repairs

OBJECTIVE

the hernial sac is typically a bilayer structure consisting of connective tissue lined underneath by peritoneum. Some incidental findings on it, like smooth muscle cells and heterotopic ossification, can be explained as the end-stage metaplasia from undifferentiated cells. This study aimed to search for mesenchymal stem cells in the incisional hernial sac by an immuno-histochemistry screening test.

METHODS

fifteen specimens of them were submitted to histochemistry analysis using CD133 monoclonal antibodies, a specific marker of mesenchymal stem cells. The biopsies were obtained from patients submitted to pure tissue repair for incisional hernias - the transposition with the hernial sac technique (Lázaro da Silva, 1971).

RESULTS

two-thirds of the specimens expressed on average 20 (twenty) CD133+ cells in each one.

CONCLUSION

despite the screening nature of this study, the hernial sac may be considered a source of stem cells. This could explain those abnormal findings, and perhaps the induction of new fibroblasts in procedures that use it to optimize wound healing.

[Application of computed tomography and abdominal pressure measurement in the treatment of giant incisional hernias]

Introduction: Giant abdominal wall defects represent a major challenge for surgeons. CT scan can determine the ratio between the volume of the hernia sac and the abdominal cavity, determining the extent of the disproportion, which is related to the postoperative abdominal pressure value. Aim: Confirmation of the significance of CT examination in postoperative giant abdominal wall defects, effectiveness analysis of the reconstruction method by abdominal pressure measurement. Method: A prospective study is conducted on patients with giant incisional hernias, with preoperatively performed abdominal CT scan. Tension-free abdominal wall reconstruction is realized with retromuscular Prolene mesh and hernial sac. Abdominal pressure is measured during and after surgery. Patients' follow-up is performed through phone after 2-4-6 months. Results: We present our results through three cases. First case: 48-year-old woman presented a giant recurrent incisional hernia and multiple comorbidities. Maximum defect diameter was: 155 mm, hernia volume: 1536.63 cm³, BMI = 43.6. The patient was discharged after seven days. Second case: 51-year-old male patient presented with multilocular giant incisional hernia, BMI = 26,85. Maximum diameter of the two wall defects were 123 mm and 105 mm, their total volume: 406.41cm³. The patient was discharged after five days. Third case: A 67-year-old male patient presented with giant incisional hernia. The abdominal defect size was 100/100 mm (LL/CC), volume: 258.10 cm³, BMI = 23.7. The patient was discharged after four days. Conclusion: The proper surgical technique can be established based on the preoperative CT scan. Abdominal wall reconstruction with retromuscular Prolene mesh and hernial sac provides a cheap, reliable, tension-free technique. The technique's short-term efficacy can be determined by abdominal pressure measuring through the bladder. Orv Hetil. 2020; 161(9): 347-353.