Predictors of hernia recurrence after Rives-Stoppa repair in the treatment of incisional hernias: a retrospective cohort.

BACKGROUND: Rives-Stoppa retromuscular repair (RSR) has been traditionally used to provide adequate coverage for large abdominal wall defects and appears to be more advantageous compared to other surgical techniques concerning complications and recurrence rates. The aim of this study was to identify the independent predictors associated to hernia recurrence after RSR in the treatment of incisional hernias. METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study of 213 patients who underwent RSR between June 2007 and January 2014 at a tertiary centre. Main inclusion criteria were adults with midline hernia classified as M1, M2, M3, M4, or M5, according to EHS classification. All the cases presented a transverse hernia defect measurement greater than 5 cm (grades W2 and W3). Recurrence rate was determined by clinical examination plus confirmation by abdominal CT scan. RESULTS: At a median of 57.6 months (range 46-75 months) of postoperative follow-up, we reported 15 cases of recurrence (7.1%). Recurrences occurred after a mean period of 19.4 months (range 2-49 months). On multivariate analysis, steroid or immunosuppressive drugs use (OR 2.02; CI 1.16-3.95, p = 0.004), the development of postoperative hematoma (OR 2.9; CI 1.55-4.10, p = 0.001), and needing surgery for the hematoma (OR 2.1; CI 1.21-3.29, p = 0.004) were predictors of recurrence after RSR. There was no significant difference in recurrence rate among obesity, smoking, urgent repair, type of mesh fixation, operative time, type of prosthesis, or concomitant procedures. CONCLUSIONS: In our current study, using immunosuppressive drugs, the development of postoperative hematoma and needing surgery for the hematoma were associated with increased risk of hernia recurrence after RSR.

Progrip self-gripping mesh in Rives-Stoppa repair: Are there any differences in outcomes versus a retromuscular polypropylene mesh fixed with sutures? A "case series" study.

BACKGROUND: Rives-Stoppa repair is widely accepted technique in large midline IH, and appears to be advantageous compared to other surgical techniques concerning complications and recurrence rates. The aim of this case series study was to analyze 1-year outcomes in patients with IH treated with Progrip self-gripping mesh compared to polypropylene (PPL) mesh fixed with sutures during the Rives-Stoppa technique. METHODS: Between June 2014 and June 2015, we performed a prospective comparative non-randomized (case series) analysis between 25 patients with IH using retromuscular Progrip self-gripping mesh and 25 patients with retromuscular PPL mesh fixed with sutures, under Rives-Stoppa repair. All intraoperative and perioperative morbidities were reported with particular attention to wound infection, seroma or hematoma formation, duration of hospital stay, presence of abdominal wall pain (VAS) and recurrence during long-term follow-up. RESULTS: Mean operative time in Progrip group was shorter than Non-Progrip group (101±29.5 versus 121±39.8min). In Progrip group, the only postoperative complication was seroma in two patients; however, in Non-Progrip group, we reported seroma in three patients, and hematoma in 4 patients (p=0.03). The median hospital stay was shorter in Progrip group (5.8±2.2days versus 6.6±2.9days). Mean VAS score in the first 48h was higher in Non-Progrip group than Progrip group (4.9±2.1 versus 8.1±2)(p=0.01). The median follow-up was 13 months (range 12-20 months) and none of the 50 patients had a hernia recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: In Rives-Stoppa repair, retromuscular Progrip mesh causes less postoperative pain in the first 48h and lower rate of hematoma than PPL mesh fixed with sutures in the short term follow-up.