Early preoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum for a symptomatic giant abdominal incisional hernia

Complications related to the prehabilitation with preoperative pneumoperitoneum in loss of domain hernias: our experience in 180 consecutive cases

OBJECTIVE

Progressive pneumoperitoneum (PPP) is useful tool in the preparation of patients with loss of domain hernias (LODH). The purpose of this observational retrospective study was to report our experience in the management of complications associated with the PPP procedure after treating 180 patients with LODH and to report preventive measures to avoid them.

METHODS

Of the 971 patients with a ventral incisional hernia operated on between June 2012 and July 2022, 180 consecutive patients with LODH were retrospectively analysed. Diameters of abdominal cavity, and volumes of incisional hernia and abdominal cavity were calculated from CT scan, based on the modified index of Tanaka. Complications related to the PPP procedure (catheter placement and following insufflations of air) were recorded by Clavien-Dindo classification.

RESULTS

Complications associated to PPP were 26.6%. No complications occurred during the administration of botulinum toxin (BT). Eighteen patients (10% of 180 patients) developed subcutaneous emphysema during the last days of the insufflations; there were 2 accidental perforations of the small bowel and four punctures with liver and splenic hematomas, detected during catheter placement; a laparotomy, however, was not needed because it was solved with conservative treatment. We diagnosed it as a peritoneum-cutaneous fistula due to the cutaneous atrophy secondary to chronic eventration.

CONCLUSION

PPP is a safe technique well tolerated by patients, although at the cost of some specific complications. Hernia surgeons must understand these complications to prevent them and to inform the LODH patient about their existence.

Preoperative Optimization for Abdominal Wall Reconstruction

Patients requiring abdominal wall reconstruction may have medical comorbidities and/or complex defects. Comorbidities such as smoking, diabetes, obesity, cirrhosis, and frailty have been associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications. Prehabilitation strategies are variably associated with improved outcomes. Large hernia defects and loss of domain may present challenges in achieving fascial closure, an important part of restoring abdominal wall function. Prehabilitation of the abdominal wall can be achieved with the use of botulinum toxin A, and preoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum.