Impact of cadaver training for learning abdominal wall reconstruction: our early experience.

PURPOSE: Assess the utility of a hands-on cadaver workshop for teaching abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR) using components separation technique. METHODS: Over a year, from June 2022 to July 2023, 112 surgeons participated in seven training courses focused on the eTEP technique for inguinal and ventral hernias. The workshops covered theoretical learning sessions followed by hands-on training using frozen human cadavers. An online survey was used to know the influence of our workshop on the clinical practice of the attendees. RESULTS: Out of 112 total participants, 70% (78) participants completed the survey. Among them, 58% (45) surgeons had over 10 years of experience. The workshop resulted in approximately 85% (66) of participants successfully adapting to eTEP. Confidence levels significantly increased for all steps of the technique after the workshop (p < 0.001, Rank-Biserial Correlation = -1.000). Participants expressed high satisfaction with the course. CONCLUSION: The cadaver model training program was found to be effective in reducing the learning curve and being replicable. This suggests its potential for widespread implementation as an introductory training model for learning the anatomy of abdominal wall and adapting this for treating hernias requiring AWR.

Are drains useful in eTEP ventral hernia repairs? An AWR surgical collaborative (AWRSC) retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Drain practices in minimally invasive retromuscular ventral hernia repairs have largely been transferred over from open surgery without significant review. We wished to evaluate the role of drains in these repairs. METHODS: Using the Abdominal Wall Reconstruction Surgical Collaborative (AWRSC) registry, patients with ventral hernias who underwent enhanced-view totally extraperitoneal (eTEP) repairs between February 2016 and September 2019 were evaluated. Patients with contamination or active infection within the surgical field, those who underwent an emergent or hybrid repair, or received a concomitant procedure were excluded. Propensity score matching based on the defect size, previous hernia repair status, and the use of posterior component separation (PCS) was used to match patients with drains to patients without drains. We evaluated 180-day outcomes in terms of SSIs, SSOs, and recurrence. RESULTS: 308 patients met the inclusion criteria. After propensity score matching, 48 patients with drains and 72 without drains were included in the analysis cohort. Those with drains were older with a greater likelihood of an incisional hernia, but were broadly similar for other relevant demographic and hernia-related variables. While there was no difference in the incidence of SSOs and SSIs between the two groups, we report a higher risk of SSOs needing procedural intervention (SSOPI) and recurrence, with a lengthened hospital stay in the cohort that received surgical drains. CONCLUSION: The use of surgical drains in "clean" eTEP repairs of ventral hernias appears to be common, with a selection bias for more complex cases. Based on our analysis, we found the use of drains was associated with longer hospital stays. The use of drains did not change the likelihood of suffering an SSI or SSO. However, the incidence of SSOPIs was higher despite the use of drains, which raises questions about their protective role in these repairs.

Trocar insertion in enhanced-view totally extra-peritoneal (eTEP) repair of inguinal hernias.

BACKGROUND: The enhanced view totally extra-peritoneal (eTEP) repair is a useful modification of the classic TEP operation which offers a more panoramic view of the operative field with greater flexibility in port positioning. It can offer greater ease of surgery in large, irreducible or bilateral inguinal hernias due to its improved ergonomics. Misunderstanding the myo-fascial anatomy, incorrect positioning or sequence of trocar insertion can lead to inadvertent peritoneal injury with pneumoperitoneum, impeding the operating surgeon. METHODS: We describe our method for the surface marking of the semilunar and arcuate lines which guides the site of initial optic access. After blunt/balloon dissection of the pelvic extra-peritoneal space, the lateral trocar is inserted first to clear the peritoneum off the posterior aspect of arcuate line, allowing us to divide it near its medial attachment. The second working trocar is inserted at the umbilicus after visually confirming the extent of dissection. Additional trocars are inserted depending on bilaterality or size of the hernia. RESULTS: We have operated 124 cases of bilateral inguinal hernia between April 2017 and February 2020, where we suffered peritoneal injury in only four cases, without leading to the conversion of the procedure. The widely dissected space with the division of the arcuate line further increased the ease of laying down a large prosthetic mesh. CONCLUSION: The exact sequence of trocar insertion and their positioning described by us improves ergonomics and ensures a safe division of the arcuate line with minimal risk of damage to underlying peritoneum.