Parastomal hernia prevention with an intraperitoneal prophylactic 3D-funnel mesh: review of the technique and middle-term results.

PURPOSE: Parastomal hernia (PH) stands out as a prevalent complication following end colostomies, significantly affecting patients' quality of life. Various surgical strategies, predominantly involving prophylactic mesh deployment, have been explored with variable outcomes. This study details our experience and mid-term outcomes utilizing a funnel-shaped mesh. METHODS: A single-center, prospective, non-randomized, observational study examined consecutive patients undergoing colorectal surgery with end colostomy, incorporating a 3D-funnel mesh from January 2019 to December 2021 (PM group). A historical cohort of patients with end colostomy without prophylactic mesh served as the comparison (C group). Postoperative morbidity within 30 days was documented, and clinical examinations and radiological tests were employed for parastomal hernia diagnosis during follow-up. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients participated, with thirty-four in the PM group and thirty-eight in the C group. The PM group experienced 16 postoperative complications, unrelated to the mesh, while the C group recorded 20 complications (p = 0.672). Median follow-up was 22.06 months for the PM group and 63.18 months for the C group. The PM group exhibited a lower parastomal hernia incidence during follow-up (8.8%) compared to the C group(68.4%) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Prophylactic use of a 3D-funnel mesh appears effective in reducing parastomal hernia incidence in the short and mid-term, without an associated increase in postoperative morbidity.

Laparoscopic Caudal Approach of the Inferior Vena Cava for Isolated Segment 1 Liver Resection.

INTRODUCTION: Isolated laparoscopic resection of the hepatic caudate lobe (segment 1) is a very challenging procedure. Very few references are available on this technique, and the aim of this paper is to show the main technical aspects of laparoscopic caudal approach for segment 1. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The subject was a 64-year-old woman with a past medical history of surgically treated breast cancer (pT1N0M0, with positive hormonal receptors). Adjuvant treatment was administered as well as radiotherapy and hormone therapy (tamoxifen). After 12 months of follow-up, an 18-mm single liver metastasis was detected in segment 1, suggestive of metastatic disease. A complementary study was conducted with magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography and positron emission tomography, and no other lesions were identified. RESULTS: Isolated laparoscopic resection of segment 1 of the liver was performed with a caudal approach of the inferior vena cava. All the steps are extensively described. The surgery time was 120 min, and blood loss was less than 100 ml. No postoperative complications were registered. The patient was discharged on the third postoperative day. CONCLUSION: Isolated laparoscopic resection of the hepatic caudate lobe with a caudal approach of the inferior vena cava is a safe technique in selected patients and should be performed in centres with experience in liver surgery and advanced laparoscopy, because of its high complexity.