Retromuscular mesh and hernial sac technique in the reconstruction of 139 cases of large median incisional hernias: one institution's experience.

PURPOSE: Incisional hernia is the most common complication of laparotomy. Postoperative parietal defects tend to relapse, even after the most optimal surgical methods. The aim of this study was to present the effectiveness of an adapted retromuscular technique with prolene mesh and a hernial sac, in patients with large incisional median hernias. The reported results were obtained by our team after more than 15 years of experience. METHODS: This retrospective study included 139 consecutive cases of large median incisional hernias operated on using a retromuscular mesh and hernial sac technique. The cross-sectional diameter of incisional hernias was larger than 10 cm, being classified in the W3 group, according to the European Hernia Society classification. RESULTS: The study included 83 females (59.71%) and 56 males (40.29%) with a median age of 62.4 ± 16.6 years and an average body mass index of 32.4 ± 7.6 kg. The hernia was supraumbilically located in 54 cases, subumbilically in 61 cases, and supra- and subumbilically in 24 cases. Postoperative complications were recorded in eight cases (5.75%): one case with a hematoma in the right abdominal muscle sheath; five cases with supra-aponeurotic seromas; two cases with skin necrosis and one with a mesh infection. Recurrence occurred in seven cases (5.03%): four cases in the first 2 years postoperatively and three cases in the third year after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The retromuscular technique with prolene mesh and a hernial sac is an effective method of restoring the integrity of the abdominal wall in large median incisional hernias with low rates of morbidity and recurrence.

[Spleno-renal distal and proximal shunts for hypersplenism due to hepatic cirrhosis]. / Suntul spleno-renal distal si proximal pentru hipersplenismul datorat cirozei hepatice.

The secondary hypersplenism appears from 30-50% in liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension. The mechanism of the complication is the splenic congestion as the result of the progress of the portal hypertension. Between 1997-2005, 16 patients with hypersplenism due to liver cirrhosis were operated in the service. The aim of the operation was to decompress the portal hypertension, by spleno-renal shunt (Warren), in 6 patients, truncular shunts in 2 patients, and splenectomy with spleno-renal shunts in 8 patients. No postoperative death was noted on the series. The platelets number and the white blood cells, destroyed by the reticuloendothelial system of the spleen, were counted in the first month and the first year, as well as the spleen volume. In patients with non-splenectomy operations the improvement of the blood elements number was remarked in the first week, but the volume of the spleen remained increased during 1-6 month. In patients with splenectomy the platelets and the white cells dramatically increased, with the risk of coagulation disfunction. The survival rate at five years was 12 patients.

[Cervical anastomotic fistula in surgery of the esophagus]. / Fistulele anastomozelor cervicale din chirurgia esofagului.

Cervical anastomotic fistula are reported in the surgical literature in 10-30% of the patients, providing a much longer hospitalisation, a higher morbidity and in some cases even mortality. Between 1997-2003, 91 patients underwent surgical treatment for esophageal cancers and 14 patients for chemical burns. In the cancer group the rate of resection was 67,03% (61 patients). In 8 patients with non-resection tumours a retrosternal esophageal by-pass with stomach was carried out. Cervical anastomosis were performed in 68 patients, by hand sutures. Anastomotic fistula were noted in 9 patients (13,24%). In 6 cases temporarily fistula occurred, with spontaneous healing by local treatment, in 8-28 days. 2 patients required reoperation and one patient a definitive feeding jejunostomy. Most common causes of fistula are technical problems, ischemic gastric or colonic tube, postoperative respiratory failure, with prolonged hypoxia. An anastomosis in the neck results in less postoperative complications than one of the lower level.

[Multivisceral operations for carcinoma of the upper stomach and cardia]. / Operatii multiviscerale pentru cancerul gastric al polului superior si al cardiei.

In this study are noted technical problems regarding "en bloc" multiple organ resections and the anatomic and functional reconstruction for carcinoma of the upper stomach and cardia. From 1997 to 2002, a total of 264 patients with cancers of the stomach were operated in the service. 75 patients presented cancers localized at the proximal stomach and cardia (97.33% adenocc.). The rate of resectability was 27.77% (27 pt.). Types of operations in this series were: standard esophagogastrectomy in 7 patients; total gastrectomy with regional lymphadenectomy in 9 patients; 11 patients underwent "en bloc" multiple organ resection, with the removal of the stomach, partial or total esophagectomy and, occasionally, ablation of the spleen, pancreas, left hepatectomy, resection of the diaphragm and an extensive lymphadenectomy. Surgical mortality for the complex multivisceral resections was noted in 3 patients (8.88%). The global 5 years survival in the service is poor: 15.9%.

[Transsacral fistula of an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis]. / Fistula transsacrala a unei anastomoze ileo-anale cu rezervor.

For patients with ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis the restorative proctocolectomy with ileo-anal-pouch anastomosis is the surgical treatment of choice. Leakage from the ileo-pouch anastomosis is the surgical treatment of choice. Leakage from the ileo-pouch-anastomosis can be a difficult to manage complication, which in some cases resists all attempts at local repair. A surprising complication of a 28 years old woman patient with an ileo-anal-pouch anastomotic fistula is presented. The fistula developed the 4th day postoperatively. Local irrigation and transanal drainage seemed to have a good result, the patient being examined after two weeks. During an apparently better evolution, after one month, the patient developed a transsacral fistula with local abscess and osteolysis. The ileo-anal-pouch anastomosis was converted to a less comfortable conventional ileostomy, but with good local and general final result.

[An iliac-mesenteric-atrial shunt in the Budd-Chiari syndrome with extensive thrombosis of the inferior vena cava]. / Sunt iliaco-mezenteric-atrial pentru sindrom Budd-Chiari cu tromboza extensiva de vena cava inferioara.

A 34-year-old woman with no history of any liver diseases was admitted to the service for a Budd-Chiari syndrome and an extensive thrombosis of the inferior vena cava. The symptoms of the portal hypertension were present, with an enormous ascites, mild esophagogastric varices, associated with increased edema of the lower limbs, perineum and abdominal wall. The diagnosis was established by color Doppler ultrasonography, CT and cavography. An ilio-mesenterico-atrial shunt, between the right iliac vein, the superior mesenteric vein and the right atrium was successfully performed, transdiaphragmatically, by abdominally and right thoracic approach, using a 35 cm Dacron prosthesis. Postoperative evolution was very good. The color Doppler ultrasonography showed a good flow in the shunts. After 14 days ascites decreased over 70% and the inferior edema almost disappeared. 2 month later ascites decreased over 80%, the esophageal varices and edema disappeared completely. To our knowledge, this is the first case in the country, in which a patient underwent ilio-mesenterico-atrial shunt for Budd-Chiari syndrome and inferior vena cava extensive thrombosis.