Does onlay mesh placement in emergency laparotomy prevent incisional hernia? A prospective randomized double-blind study

PURPOSE

The objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness and safety of onlay mesh closure of emergency midline laparotomy to prevent incisional hernia.

METHODS

This is a prospective randomized double-blind study and was carried out in the General Surgery Clinic, Konya City Hospital, from August 1, 2020 to August, 1, 2021. The study included 108 patients who were randomly grouped in 2 groups: patients with conventional abdominal closure and closure using additional onlay mesh (1:1). The follow-up period was for a year. The primary outcome was the incidence of incisional hernia and secondary outcomes were clinical data like complications, hospital length of stay, re-operations.

RESULTS

It was observed that incisional hernia was present in 14 patients (27.4%) in conventional abdominal closure group and was in 2 patients using mesh (4%), (p = 0.001). Clavien-Dindo 3B complications were in rise in conventional closure group (p = 0.02). Of all complications, burst abdomen was significantly more common in conventional closure group (p = 0.04). The rate of surgically treated complications were higher in conventional closure group (p = 0.02). Clavien-Dindo 3A complications were more common in patients with contaminated wound in mesh group (p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

The use of mesh while closing the abdomen in emergency midline laparotomy reduces the risk of incisional hernia. Thus, to lower the risks of incisional hernia and its complications, prophylactic mesh can be used in high-risk patients.

Does the menstrual phase affect gastric emptying? Prospective, observational study

OBJECTIVE

Pulmonary aspiration of gastric content is a serious complication of anesthesia. It is unclear what effects different parts of the menstrual cycle have on how long it takes for the stomach to empty. This prospective observational study assessed the relationship between menstrual cycle phases and gastric emptying using ultrasonography (USG) in volunteers of reproductive age.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between days 8-10 of the menstrual cycle in the follicular phase and days 18-20 of the luteal phase, a total of 24 healthy volunteers received four stomach USG procedures. In both phases, the gastric antrum was evaluated with USG in the right lateral decubitus position after fasting for 10 hours, followed by 2 hours of fasting after liquid intake and 6 hours of fasting after solid food intake. The gastric content, gastric antrum area, and estimated gastric volume determined whether the stomach was full or empty.

RESULTS

A full stomach was detected in 8 (8.3%) out of 96 measurements performed on the volunteers. After liquid food intake, a full stomach was detected in 2 subjects in the luteal phase, while all the subjects had an empty stomach during the follicular phase (p=0.500). After solid food intake, a full stomach was detected in 6 subjects in the luteal phase, and again, all subjects had an empty stomach during the follicular phase (p=0.031).

CONCLUSIONS

Ultrasound assessment of gastric volume in volunteers of reproductive age has shown that gastric emptying of solid foods is slowed during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.

Spinal widespread intradural extramedullary hydatidosis

Spinal hydatid cyst is an uncommon but serious condition. Intradural presentation is extremely rare. The case reported herein describes an unusual recurrent hydatidosis with progression of recurrence and spreading into intradural extramedullary field.