V-029 TOTALLY ENDOSCOPIC SUBLAY (TES) REPAIR FOR L2-L3 INCISIONAL HERNIA

Aim

Endoscopic lateral incisional hernia (IH) repair provides advantages in terms of low infection rates and hospital stay when compared with open repair.

Material and Methods

62 years old men with a history of HTA and an open radical right nephrectomy for a renal tumor, developed a symptomatic iliac IH. L2–3 W2 according to the European Hernia Society (EHS) classification was clinically diagnosed and confirmed with a CT scan.

Full endoscopic abdominal wall repair with defect closure was proposed.

3 trocars in right retrorectus space were placed. Once the lateral edge of the rectus sheath is reached, the posterior rectus sheath is incised, access to the preperitoneal lateral plane. During hernia sac dissection, an opening of the hernia sac occurs. The posterior layer is closed by a barbed suture, an accessory trocar placement was necessary for the closure. Subsequently, the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles that formed the defect were approximated with a barbed suture.

During dissection, a right inguinal hernia was identified and repaired.

A trimmed 20 x15 cm polipropilene mesh is placed in the preperitoneal space without fixation.

Results

The patient was discharged on the 3rd postoperative day without complications. Follow-up in the outpatient clinic at 6 months did not show any signs of recurrence.

Conclusion

Endoscopic abdominal wall reconstruction with posterior component separation is an alternative to the open procedure for lateral IH, providing a complete abdominal wall repair. The mesh is placed extraperitoneal with the advantages in terms of less adhesions and postoperative pain.

P-136 MANAGEMENT OF DIRTY ABDOMINAL WALL SITUATIONS WITH AN OVINE RUMEN BIOLOGIC MESH WITH POLYPROPYLENE REINFORCEMENT

Aim

To present our initial results of abdominal wall surgery in dirty situations with an ovine rumen (OR) biologic mesh reinforced with polypropylene.

Patients and Methods

Five patients with elective abdominal wall surgery in a dirty setting were included. Two cases were previous PTFE mesh infections after IPOM repairs, one case of enteroatmospheric fistula through a previous posterior component separation repair, one deep tissue infection after a MILOS retromuscular repair and one definitive closure after a 8 weeks open abdomen in a liver transplantation patient. In the five cases cultures showed polymicrobian infections. Both PTFE meshes were removed and substituted by the OR biologic mesh. In the enteroatmospheric fistula patient the exposed mesh was resected together with the fistula take down, and a re-Rives was performed. In the case of the MILOS deep tissue infection after two weeks with an open abdomen and a temporary abdominal closure the definitive closure was performed with the biologic mesh in the retromuscular space. In the definitive closure of the liver transplantation patient the mesh was placed intraperitoneally as prophylaxis.

Results

In four cases there weren´t any surgical sites ocurrences. In the case of the enteroatmospheric fistula the patient presented a partial fascial dehiscence with mesh exposure, managed with a VAC system. With less than a year follow up no hernia recurrence has taken place.

Conclusión

The use of an OR biologic mesh with polypropylene reinforcement seems to be safe in abdominal wall repair in dirty settings, with good results during early follow up.

P-100 ANATOMICAL STUDY ON THE PREPERITONEAL FAT DISTRIBUTION IN EXTENDED RETROMUSCULAR PREPERITONEAL DISSECTION: FROM THE FATTY TRIANGLE TO THE FATTY TRIDENT

Aim

Extended retromuscular dissection performed for abdominal wall reconstruction in complex abdominal wall repair has progressively exposed the anatomy between the peritoneal layer and abdominal wall muscles. This study aimed to assess the morphology and distribution of preperitoneal fat in a cadaveric model.

Material and methods

Thirty frozen cadaver torsos were dissected by posterior component separation. The shape of the preperitoneal fat was identified, and the dimensions and more significant distances were calculated.

Results

The results showed that the preperitoneal fat resembles a trident, exists along the midline under the linea alba, and expands in the epigastric area into a rhomboid shape. The fatty triangle was found to be a part of this rhomboid. The mean rhomboid area was 35 cm2. Caudally, the midline preperitoneal fat widened under the arcuate line to reach the Retzius space. Laterally, the Bogros space communicated the root of the trident with the paracolic gutters, Toldt's fascia, and pararenal fats, forming the lateral prong of the trident. The mean width of the midline prong at the umbilicus was 2.8 cm. It was easier to tear the peritoneum outside the area reinforced by the fatty trident.

Conclusions

The concept of preperitoneal fatty trident may be of practical assistance to perform various hernia procedures, from the simple ventral hernia repair to the more complex preperitoneal ventral repair or posterior component separation techniques. The consistency of this layer allows us to follow our plane between the peritoneum and muscle layers to extend the preperitoneal dissection.

V-018 PREOPERATIVE OPTIMIZATION AND POSTERIOR COMPONENT SEPARATION WITH INTRAOPERATIVE MONITORING OF RECTUS MUSCLE INERVATION FOR LOSS OF DOMAIN INCISIONAL HERNIA

Aim

The importance of an appropriate patient optimization (botulin toxin and pneumoperitoneum) and adequate surgical technique is highlighted.The possibility of intraoperative monitoring of the nerves that may be injured during posterior component separation is explained

Material and methods

We present a 74 years old man, past smoker, with history of hypertension, steatohepatitis and chronic bronchopathy

Results

This is a disastrous but unfortunately not so uncommon story of a failed repair of a simple umbilical hernia with 3 previous unsuccessful attempts of repair with and without mesh. After the last surgery the patient developed a giant incisional hernia with loss of domain. Optimization consisted of improving nutritional status, respiratory physiotherapy, botulin toxin and pneumoperitoneum. The surgery was made using previous skin scar. After dissecting the retrorectus space, a posterior component separation was made with the aid of monitoring the nerves that come to innervate the rectus abdominis. An overextended overlapped was obtained. A patch of absorbable mesh was used to completely close the peritoneum. A combination of absorbable and permanent synthetic mesh was used as giant reinforcement of the visceral sac. The only points of fixation were the Cooper Ligaments. The patient had a satisfactory recovery without complications and was discharged on the 8th postoperative day.

Conclusions

Loss of domain incisional hernias is a real surgical challenge. The combination of a good preoperative strategy (preoperative neumoperitoneum) and surgical technique (TAR and pannniculectomy) gives a great opportunity to solve very complex cases of incisional hernia.

V-007 LESSONS LEARNED DURING THE ABDOMINAL WALL RECONSUTRCTION FOR A MULTIRECURRENT LUMBAR HERNIA AFTER BONE GRAFT HARVESTING

The best approach for lateral incisional hernia is not known. Among these difficult hernias, those arising from iliac crest harvesting can be particularly challenging. The objective of this video is to illustrate the surgical approach of a multirecurrent case with the need of adding a posterior component separation

A 70 years old woman with 2 previous attempts of repair was referred to our center. With the patient in a 45 degrees lateral decubitus, a posterior lumbar approach was initiated through the previous scar. The retromuscular preperitoneal plane was accessed with difficulty due to previous meshes in the subdiaphragmatic, iliac and posterior areas. A big tear on the medial peritoneum changed our plan to add a posterior component separation. As we did not want to enlarge the lumbar incision to denervate more the lateral abdominal wall, we decided to make an accessory midline incision. Probably, an ETEP approach could have been better even before making the posterior incision. Once the retromuscular plane was dissected, the hole in the peritoneum could be closed. The reconstructive phase consisted in making a taco configuration using the combination of a permanent and absorbable mesh.

We have learned from this case, that an eTEP dissection of the retromuscular plane could have helped to avoid the accessory midline incision. It is also important to consider the potential iatrogenic denervation we could add in case of enlargement of the incision.

P-127 E-TEP ASSISTED REVERSE-TAR FOR THE TREATMENT OF LARGE LUMBAR INCISIONAL HERNIAS ASSOCIATED TO MIDLINE DEFECTS

Aim

To describe a new hybrid surgical approach of large lumbar incisional hernias (IH) associated to synchronic midline defects.

Material and Methods

Prospective multicentric study including patients with large lumbar hernias (L4W3) associated to midline abdominal wall defects. Surgical intervention starts with a bilateral retrorectus dissection performed through a minimally invasive extraperitoneal endoscopic approach (eTEP). Once this space has been dissected, the lumbar IH is treated with an overextended centrifugal preperitoneal open approach through the previous lumbar incision. Afterwards the dissected spaces are communicated performing a reverse transversus abdominis release (TAR) from lateral to medial. A prosthetic preperitoneal repair is performed with an absorbable and permantent meshes that cover the space dissected.

Results

Five patients were included in the study. All patients had lumbar hernias L4W3 associated to primary or incisional midline hernias M1–5 W1–2. Eighty percent of the patients were women, with a mean age of 62 years. Mean BMI was 32 (range 30–34), with a 60% of diabetic patients, and 80% of recurrent lumbar hernias (between 1 and 3 previous repair attempts). Mean surgical time was 198 minutes (range 160–250). Mean hospital stay was 5 days (range 4–8 days). Two lumbar hematomas which didn't required any interventional procedure took place as the only surgical site occurrences, without any systemic complications. No recurrence has taken place after 5 months mean follow up (range 2–9 months)

Conclusion

Hybrid eTEP and open approach of large lumbar hernias associated with small midline defects seem to be an efficient and safe approach.

Pathways of the preperitoneal plane: from the “fatty triangle” in Rives to the “fatty trident" in extended retromuscular abdominal wall reconstruction. A tribute to Prof. Schumpelick

PURPOSE

Extended retromuscular dissection performed for abdominal wall reconstruction in complex abdominal wall repair has progressively exposed the anatomy between the peritoneal layer and abdominal wall muscles. This study aimed to assess the morphology and distribution of preperitoneal fat in a cadaveric model and its influence in retromuscular preperitoneal dissections.

METHODS

Thirty frozen cadaver torsos were dissected by posterior component separation. The shape of the preperitoneal fat was identified, and the dimensions and more significant distances were calculated.

RESULTS

The results showed that the preperitoneal fat resembles a trident, exists along the midline under the linea alba, and expands in the epigastric area into a rhomboid shape. The fatty triangle was found to be a part of this rhomboid. Caudally, the midline preperitoneal fat widened under the arcuate line to reach the Retzius space. Laterally, the Bogros space communicated the root of the trident with the paracolic gutters, Toldt's fascia, and pararenal fats, forming the lateral prong of the trident. The peritoneum not covered by the preperitoneal fatty trident was easy to break. Three pathways could be tracked following the distribution of this fat that facilitated the dissection of the preperitoneal space to prepare the landing zone of the meshes in hernia repair.

CONCLUSION

The concept of preperitoneal fatty trident may be of practical assistance to perform various hernia procedures, from the simple ventral hernia repair to the more complex preperitoneal ventral repair or posterior component separation techniques. The consistency of this layer allows us to follow three specific pathways to find our plane between the peritoneum and muscle layers to extend the preperitoneal dissection.

Failure of talc seromadesis for the treatment of subcutaneous chronic seromas after incisional hernia surgery

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Talc poudrage has been used since many years for sclerosing chronic pleural effusion. Several reports have shown good results managing chronic seromas after breast, vascular, and incisional hernia surgeries. The purpose of this study is to determine the utility of talc seromadesis for the management of chronic seromas after incisional hernia surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Multicentric prospective observational study including patients diagnosed of chronic seromas after incisional hernia surgery. Under local anesthesia and ultrasonographic control, two percutaneous trocars were placed in the seroma, washing the seroma cavity with 0.9% saline solution and aspirating the remaining liquid. A sample of 4 g of talcum powder was introduced in the seroma cavity, and a 15-F drain was left in place. Patients were followed each week during at least 4 weeks after drainage removal.

RESULTS

Between January 2013 and December 2016, a total of six patients were enrolled in the study. Talc poudrage was performed without any complications. Drains were pulled out in a mean time of 3 (range: 2-4) weeks. One case of the chronic seromas was efficiently sclerosed with talc without recurrence in time. In three cases, the seroma recurred, and the final solution was surgical decortication of the seroma. In the other two cases, seroma also recurred and were managed with instillation of ethanol and iodine povidone.

CONCLUSION

In our experience, the management of chronic seromas after incisional hernia repair with talc seromadesis is ineffective and is associated with a high rate of seroma recurrence.

Effectiveness and safety of mycophenolate mofetil as monotherapy in liver transplantation

INTRODUCTION

Calcineurin inhibitors (CIs) cause substantial long-term morbidity and mortality among orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) patients. Our aim was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) among OLT patients with CI-related side effects.

PATIENTS

Thirty three adult patients, including 29 men and 4 women of mean age 57 years, underwent OLT between 1986 and 2000 under treatment with CIs (28 cyclosporine and five tacrolimus). Mean follow-up after OLT was 59 months. Adverse effects were renal dysfunction in 26, hypertension in 23, and neurotoxicity in two. MMF was added gradually while simultaneously reducing the dosage of CI.

RESULTS

After a mean 15-months follow-up of MMF treatment, CIs had been withdrawn in 28 patients (85%). The mean time from the initiation of MMF and CI withdrawal was 5 months. During the first year of follow-up chronic renal dysfunction improved in 16 of 26 patients (61.6%) accompanied by a decreased serum creatinine and urea and an increase in creatinine clearance. Among 13/23 (56.5%) hypertensive patients, there was a significant decrease in blood pressure or the number of antihypertensive drugs (P<.05). One patient with neurotoxicity improved. Twenty-two patients (66%) displayed adverse events: five rejections (15%) including four acute episodes, controlled by CI re-introduction, and one chronic reaction. The most frequent adverse effects were herpes simplex infection in 10 patients (30%), asthenia in nine (27%), diarrhea in five (15%) and thrombocytopenia in four (12%). Nevertheless, only six patients (19%) required MMF dose reduction, namely, three patients with GI intolerance, two with repeated VHS infections, and one with anemia.

CONCLUSIONS

MMF monotherapy improves renal function and blood pressure levels in more than 50% of patients with chronic renal impairment and hypertension after OLT. Many of the side effects of MMF were mild; it was safe accompanied by a low incidence of rejection reactions.