Standardized suturing can prevent slackening or bursting suture lines in midline abdominal incisions and defects

A virtual simulation study of the effects of laparotomy incision location and wound stiffness on abdominal wall mechanics

Incisional hernia (IH) is a common complication of laparotomy surgical procedures, influenced by factors such as incision location and surgical wound (SW) tissue strength, and the intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) levels the patient is subject to. In this study we use finite element simulations to investigate how these factors affect the abdominal wall (AW) deformation and the stress distribution on the tissues. Comprehensive geometric models of the AW were generated for five laparotomy incisions, namely midline, paramedian, pararectus, transverse supraumbilical, and subcostal oblique. Finite element simulations for IAP values between 4 and 20 kPa and with the SW tissue strength ranging from very soft to very stiff were conducted using the code Aster open-source software. Simulations revealed that as a general rule laparotomy incisions significantly impact AW mechanics when the SW tissue is soft. In particular, AW mechanics is more sensitive to SW strength in vertical incisions (midline, paramedian, pararectus). The resulting change of the SW dimensions with increasing IAP was also investigated. Softening the SW tissue led to substantial volume increases of the vertical incisions for a given IAP level. In addition, we analyzed stress levels in the SW tissue as well as in the surrounding muscles. A very soft SW may induce the appearance of regions with very high stress levels in the surrounding muscle tissue, heightening their rupture risk. This effect was especially noticeable for the midline incision. On the overall, we found that when the SW tissue is too tender transverse supraumbilical and subcostal incisions present the lowest risk of tissue ruptures whereas the midline incision is the most vulnerable one and the paramedian and pararectus incisions stand midway. In summary, the results of the present simulation provide full support for the clinical guidelines' recommendation to avoid midline incisions in abdominal surgeries whenever possible.

Three-year follow-up analysis of the short-stitch versus long-stitch technique for elective midline abdominal closure randomized-controlled (ESTOIH) trial

BACKGROUND

Clinical trials have shown reduced incisional hernia rates 1 year after elective median laparotomy closure using a short-stitch technique. With hernia development continuing beyond the first postoperative year, we aimed to compare incisional hernias 3 years after midline closure using short or long stitches in patients from the ESTOIH trial.

METHODS

The ESTOIH trial was a prospective, multicenter, parallel-group, double-blind, randomized-controlled study of primary elective midline closure. Patients were randomized to fascia closure using a short- or long-stitch technique with a poly-4-hydroxybutyrate-based suture. A predefined 3-year follow-up analysis was performed with the radiological imaging-verified incisional hernia rate as the primary endpoint.

RESULTS

The 3-year intention-to-treat follow-up cohort consisted of 414 patients (210 short-stitch and 204 long-stitch technique) for analysis. Compared with 1 year postoperatively, incisional hernias increased from 4.83% (20/414 patients) to 9.02% (36/399 patients, p = 0.0183). The difference between the treatment groups at 3 years (short vs. long stitches, 15/198 patients (7.58%) vs. 21/201 (10.45%)) was not significant (OR, 1.4233; 95% CI [0.7112-2.8485]; p = 0.31).

CONCLUSION

Hernia rates increased significantly between one and 3 years postoperatively. The short-stitch technique using a poly-4-hydroxybutyrate-based suture is safe in the long term, while no significant advantage was found at 3 years postoperatively compared with the standard long-stitch technique.

TRIAL REGISTRY

NCT01965249, registered on 18 October 2013.

Experience sharing on perioperative clinical management of gastric cancer patients based on the "China Robotic Gastric Cancer Surgery Guidelines"

BACKGROUND

With the popularization of robotic surgical systems in the field of surgery, robotic gastric cancer surgery has also been fully applied and promoted in China. The Chinese Guidelines for Robotic Gastric Cancer Surgery was published in the Chinese Journal of General Surgery in August 2021.

METHODS

We have made a detailed interpretation of the process of robotic gastric cancer surgery regarding the indications, contraindications, perioperative preparation, surgical steps, complication, and postoperative management based on the recommendations of China's Guidelines for Robotic Gastric Cancer Surgery and supplemented by other surgical guidelines, consensus, and single-center experience.

RESULTS

Twenty experiences of perioperative clinical management of robotic gastric cancer surgery were described in detail.

CONCLUSION

We hope to bring some clinical reference values to the front-line clinicians in treating robotic gastric cancer surgery.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The guidelines were registered on the International Practice Guideline Registration Platform ( http://www.guidelines-registry.cn ) (registration number: IPGRP-2020CN199).

STRONGHOLD first-year results of biomechanically calculated abdominal wall repair: a propensity score matching

PURPOSE

Every year around 70,000 people in Germany suffer from an abdominal incisional hernia that requires surgical treatment. Five years after reconstruction about 25% reoccur. Incisional hernias are usually closed with mesh using various reconstruction techniques, summarized here as standard reconstruction (SR). To improve hernia repair, we established a concept for biomechanically calculated reconstructions (BCR). In the BCR, two formulas enable customized patient care through standardized biomechanical measures. This study aims to compare the clinical outcomes of SR and BCR of incisional hernias after 1 year of follow-up based on the Herniamed registry.

METHODS

SR includes open retromuscular mesh augmented incisional hernia repair according to clinical guidelines. BCR determines the required strength (Critical Resistance to Impacts related to Pressure = CRIP) preoperatively depending on the hernia size. It supports the surgeon in reliably determining the Gained Resistance, based on the mesh-defect-area-ratio, further mesh and suture factors, and the tissue stability. To compare SR and BCR repair outcomes in incisional hernias at 1 year, propensity score matching was performed on 15 variables. Included were 301 patients with BCR surgery and 23,220 with standard repair.

RESULTS

BCR surgeries show a significant reduction in recurrences (1.7% vs. 5.2%, p = 0.0041), pain requiring treatment (4.1% vs. 12.0%, p = 0.001), and pain at rest (6.9% vs. 12.7%, p = 0.033) when comparing matched pairs. Complication rates, complication-related reoperations, and stress-related pain showed no systematic difference.

CONCLUSION

Biomechanically calculated repairs improve patient care. BCR shows a significant reduction in recurrence rates, pain at rest, and pain requiring treatment at 1-year follow-up compared to SR.

[Incisional hernias: epidemiology, evidence and guidelines]

BACKGROUND

From an epidemiological point of view, one third of the population in industrialized countries will undergo abdominal surgery during their lifetime. Depending on the degree of patient-related and procedure-related risks, the occurrence of incisional hernias is associated in a range of up to 30% at 2‑year follow-up and even up to 60% at 5 years. In addition to influencing comorbidities, the type of surgical approach and closure technique are of critical importance.

OBJECTIVE

To present a descriptive evidence-based recommendation for abdominal wall closure and prophylactic mesh augmentation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A concise summary was prepared incorporating the current literature and existing guidelines.

RESULTS

According to recent studies the recognized risk for the occurrence of incisional hernias in the presence of obesity and abdominal aortic diseases also applies to patients undergoing colorectal surgery and the presence of diastasis recti abdominis. Based on high-level published data, the short stitch technique for midline laparotomy in the elective setting has a high level of evidence to be a standard procedure. Patients with an increased risk profile should receive prophylactic mesh reinforcement, either onlay or sublay, in addition to the short stitch technique. In emergency laparotomy, the individual risk of infection with respect to the closure technique used must be included.

CONCLUSION

The avoidance of incisional hernias is primarily achieved by the minimally invasive access for laparoscopy. For closure of the most commonly used midline approach, the short stitch technique and, in the case of existing risk factors, additionally mesh augmentation are recommended.

The Best Closure Technique Without Mesh in Elective Midline Laparotomy Closure

Introduction: The risk of developing an incisional hernia after primary elective median laparotomy is reported in the literature as being between 5 and 20 percent. The basic of an optimal outcome after midline incision is the appropriate closure technique with or without a prophylactic mesh. The objective of this paper is to critically examine the various closure techniques and, in particular, to present a detailed comparison of the long stitch and short stitch techniques. Method: Based on the available literature, the characteristics of the different closure techniques are described in detail, advantages and disadvantages are compared, and the current status of a practicable recommendation is discussed. Special attention is paid to the criteria of the short stitch technique, such as the suture to incision length ratio, number of stitches and distances, as well as suture material. Results: For elective midline closures, the use of a continuous closure using a slowly absorbable suture material in the small-bites technique with suture to wound ratio of at least 5:1 result in significantly lower risk of complications such as bursting abdomen and less incisional hernia rates compared to the large-bites technique. Conclusion: Based on the present evidence in midline closure after elective laparotomy the small bites technique can be recommended to significantly reduce the rate of incisional hernia.