Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair: impact of surgical time in the learning curve.

PURPOSE: One of the procedures that has become very popular thanks to the advantages of minimally invasive approach is the laparoscopic treatment of inguinocrural hernias. As a disadvantage, it would imply a longer learning curve when compared to the conventional approach. There is no consensus about the number of procedures required to dominate this surgical technique, since according to bibliography it ranges from 20 to 240. METHODS: We analyzed and compared the progress of 18 third year surgical residents while they were introducing into laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal hernioplasties between June 2013 and May 2018. RESULTS: Between June 2013 and May 2018, 1282 laparoscopic inguinal hernioplasties were performed (71 procedures per resident). Mean surgical time was for unilateral: 62.13 min (SD ± 15.54; range 30-105 min) for the first third (Q1) vs 54.61 min (SD ± 15.38; range 30-100 min) for the last third (Q3): p < 0.0001. For bilateral were: 92.59 min (SD ± 21.89; range 50-160 min) for Q1 vs 84.48 min (SD ± 20.52; range 30-130 min) for Q3: p < 0.05. Accepting an alpha error of 5% and considering an association power of 80%, there would be needed 61 cases per surgeon to achieve a significant reduction in surgical time. CONCLUSION: In a center with high-volume in TAPP and under a supervised training program, it is feasible to achieve a reduction in surgical time. Randomized studies with a larger number of cases are necessary to confirm this finding and draw more robust and objective conclusions.

Ring closure outcome for laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (IPOM plus) in medium and large defects. Long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR) with the Intra-peritoneal onlay mesh technique (IPOM), recurrence continues to be a frequent postoperative complication. The aim of this study is to analyze the long-term recurrence rate in two series, by incorporating in IPOM technique the laparoscopic closure of the defect (IPOM plus). We also want to determine the ring size cut-off point from which the recurrence risk increases in IPOM technique and determine if the cut-off point is modified with IPOM plus technique. METHODS: A comparative retrospective study was conducted analyzing patients who underwent LVHR. They were divided into 2 groups according to the surgical technique used: IPOM or IPOM plus. We determined in each group the cut-off point where the ring size presents a greater recurrence risk by calculating the better point of sensitivity/specificity relationship of the ROC curve. RESULTS: Between 2007 and 2018, 286 patients underwent LVHR. The ROC curve for IPOM technique has shown a cut-off point of higher recurrence risk for rings larger than 63 cm2. While the ROC curve in IPOM plus group showed an increase in the cut-off point, with a higher recurrence risk in rings > 168 cm2. Overall median ring size was 30 cm2 (range 4-225; IQR 16-61). However, when comparing the ring size between techniques we found a relatively larger size in IPOM plus (p: 0.013). The recurrence rate in the IPOM group was 19.51% while in the IPOM plus group was 3.57% (p: 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: For standard LVHR with IPOM technique, the greatest recurrence risk occurs in rings larger than 63 cm2. The addition of ring closure (IPOM plus) was associated with a recurrence risk reduction, which occurs in rings larger than 168 cm2. These findings would allow expanding the indication for LVHR, using the IPOM plus technique.

Resection of a giant retroperitoneal lipoma herniating through the inguinal canal.

Retroperitoneal lipomas are extremely rare with few cases reported so far in the literature. They can reach different sizes and present with a variety of symptoms. The differential diagnosis is mainly with well-differentiated liposarcoma (WDLPS). We present a 34-year-old woman with a retroperitoneal lipoma herniating through the inguinal canal into the proximal thigh. The patient underwent complete oncological resection using a Karakousis's abdominoinguinal incision. Retroperitoneal lipomas are a very rare condition and sometimes require resections technically challenging. MDM2 amplification is critical for its differential diagnosis with WDLPS.

Laparoscopic treatment (reTAPP) for recurrence after laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.

PURPOSE: For inguinal hernia recurrences, the European Hernia Society guidelines recommend laparo-endoscopic repair (LR) following a previous open surgery (OS) and, conversely, OS following previous laparo-endoscopic repair. Laparoscopic treatment of recurrences after previous LR is controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine the safety, feasibility, and reliability of a repeated transabdominal preperitoneal laparoscopic repair (reTAPP) for a recurrent hernia. METHODS: We analyzed and compared a series of patients with recurrent inguinal hernia after LR who underwent repair by a conventional approach with similar patients who underwent reTAPP between January 2010 and December 2018. RESULTS: Between January 2010 and December 2018, 2488 transabdominal preperitoneal laparoscopic inguinal hernia (TAPP) repairs were performed. Recurrence was observed in 46 (1.8%). Of these patients, 18 (39%; Group 1; G1) underwent conventional open repair (Lichtenstein technique) and 28 (61%; Group 2; G2) reTAPP. In G2, repair was successful in 24 patients (86%); however, four cases (14%) needed conversion to OS because of technical difficulties. Two patients re-recurred (4.3%), one in G1 which was resolved in a third approach with a reTAPP and the other in G2 which was resolved with OS. CONCLUSION: ReTAPP surgery for recurrences after previous TAPP repair proved to be safe and was associated with a shorter length of hospital stay and morbidity and recurrence rates comparable to OS at a highly specialized center. Randomized studies with a larger number of cases are necessary to confirm these findings and draw more robust and objective conclusions.

Giant cavernous hemangioma of the adrenal gland.

INTRODUCTION: Cavernous hemangioma of the adrenal gland is a rare non-functioning benign neoplasm. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 62-year-old woman with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was diagnosed as having an incidental non-functioning adrenal tumor. Because of the impossibility of ruling out the presence of malignancy, conventional surgical resection was carried out. The histopathology revealed a 12.5cm×11.5cm×8cm adrenal mass with large and lacunae vascular spaces lined with mature endothelial cells. These findings were compatible with cavernous hemangioma. DISCUSSION: The majority of patients in the literature underwent surgical resection due to the impossibility of excluding malignancy, because of related symptoms in patients with large masses, or because of the risk of spontaneous tumoral rupture. CONCLUSION: These tumors are quite infrequent. Due to the low frequency and the lack of specific symptoms, most adrenal hemangiomas are diagnosed postoperatively.