Ventral hernia repair with concurrent intra-abdominal surgery: Results from an eleven-year population-based cohort in Sweden

Risk factors and outcomes for early returns to the operating room following abdominal wall hernia repairs

Background

Risks of re-operation in ventral hernias in non-American populations and recurrence have been studied extensively. However, data on early risk factors for reoperation in North America are still lacking. The most recent NSQIP study, analyzing risk factors for reoperation of ventral hernias was extracted from 2005-2008 data. Since then, there have been major advances in ventral hernia repair techniques. Here, we identify risk factors and indications for re-operation within 30 days.

Methods

NSQIP ACS data from 2020-2022 were used in our analysis. Additional procedures that posed significant morbidity and mortality were excluded. Risk factors were analyzed with univariate and multivariable models to determine association with re-operation within 30 days. ICD10 codes for re-operation were also analyzed.

Results

Of 56,260 patients, 2.38 % returned to the OR within 30 days. Higher ASA, male gender, surgical site infection (SSI), smoking, ascites, age group > 70, dialysis patients, open surgeries and dehiscence were significantly associated with re-operation whereas outpatient surgery was protective in univariate and multivariable models (p < 0.01). The most common indications for re-operation were surgical site occurrence (SSO) and recurrence of hernia. Mortality was significantly higher in the reoperation group, 3.29 %, compared to those patients that did not require early reoperation (0.36 %, p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Mortality and early reoperation rates have decreased in the past decade in the U.S, which could be attributed to advancement in ventral hernia repair techniques. Our analysis of risk factors for reoperation supports findings in the broader literature. This study also suggests that SSO and recurrence of hernia are leading diagnoses for early reoperation.

Perioperative outcomes associated with ventral hernia repair concomitant to gynecologic procedures: similar to hernia repair alone

PURPOSE

The aim of this paper is to compare outcomes of patients who underwent combined gynecologic procedures with ventral hernia repair (VHR) with patients that underwent only VHR.

METHODS

Patients who underwent VHR with a combined gynecological procedure from 2012 to 2023 were retrospectively identified in the Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative and categorized into two groups with surgical wound contamination in mind. Group one included patients with concomitant salpingo-oophorectomy (SO), bilateral tubal ligation (BTO), and/or ovarian cystectomy (OC) without hysterectomy. Group two consisted of patients who underwent hysterectomy with or without SO/BTO/OC/ER. C-Sections were excluded. Mesh location was 90% in the sublay space for both groups. Patients who underwent VHR without any concomitant procedure were the control group. Propensity score matching (PSM; ratio 3:1 for control vs. group one and 1:1 for control vs. group two) was performed based on relevant demographic and perioperative covariates (age, hernia width, operative approach, ASA class, BMI, mesh used, current smoker, wound status, year of operation, and recurrent). Postoperative outcomes at 30 days were compared between group one and control and between group two and control based on post-PSM cohorts.

RESULTS

Out of 13,982 patients undergoing VHR, 279 (2%) also underwent a concurrent gynecological procedure. Following PSM, 88 patients in Group 1 were matched with 264 patients that underwent VHR alone. Similarly, 186 patients in Group 2 were compared with 186 patients in the control group. Operative time was significantly higher in both groups as compared to control (p < 0.001). A longer LOS and more EBL were observed group 2 but not group 1. No statistically significant differences were observed in either group regarding surgical site infection (SSI), surgical site occurrence (SSO), Surgical site occurrences requiring procedural interventions (SSOPI), recurrence of hernia, reoperations, or readmissions.

CONCLUSION

This study compares the outcomes of patients that underwent VHR with simultaneous gynecological procedure to patients with VHR alone. Combining hernia repair and gynecologic surgery did not appear to have an adverse impact on clinical outcomes. Our study suggests that further collaboration between gynecology and general surgery can be considered for management of concurrent abdominopelvic pathologies.

Maximizing mesh mileage: evaluating the long-term performance of a novel hybrid mesh for ventral hernia repair

PURPOSE

The objective of this study is to evaluate the safety and long-term outcomes of GORE Synecor™ in ventral hernia repair (VHR).

METHODS

This retrospective, single-center case review analyzed outcomes in patients who underwent VHR with Synecor from May 2016 to December 2022. Primary outcomes were hernia recurrence and mesh infection rates. Secondary outcomes were 30-day morbidity, 30-day mortality, 30-day readmission, re-operation, surgical-site infection (SSI) and occurrence (SSO) rates, and occurrences requiring intervention (SSOI).

RESULTS

278 patients were identified. Mean follow-up was 24.1 (0.2-87.1) months. Mean hernia defect size was 63.4 (± 77.2) cm2. Overall hernia recurrence and mesh infection rates were 5.0% and 1.4% respectively. No mesh infections required full explantation. We report the following overall rates: 13.3% 30-day morbidity, 4.7% 30-day readmission, 2.9% re-operation, 7.2% SSI, 6.1% SSO, and 2.9% SSOI. 30-day morbidity was significantly higher in non-clean (42.1% vs 11.2%, p < 0.01), onlay (OL) mesh (37.0% vs preperitoneal (PP) 16.4%, p = 0.05 vs retrorectus (RR) 15.0%, p < 0.05 vs intraperitoneal (IP) 5.2%, p < 0.001), and open cases (23.5% vs 3.1% laparoscopic vs 4.4% robotic, p < 0.01). SSI rates were significantly higher in non-clean (31.6% vs 5.4%, p < 0.001), OL mesh (29.6% vs RR 11.3%, p < 0.05 vs PP 5.5%, p < 0.01 vs IP 0.0%, p < 0.001), and open cases (15.2% vs 0% laparoscopic vs 0% robotic, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Long-term performance of a novel hybrid mesh in VHR demonstrates a low recurrence rate and favorable safety profile in various defect sizes and mesh placement locations.