A preliminary evaluation of two different meshes in minimally invasive inguinal hernia surgery.

BACKGROUND: Many meshes are available for use in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. The surgeon must consider several factors when choosing a mesh for hernia repair including clinical outcomes, cost, and ease of use. The purpose of this study was to compare two different lightweight polypropylene meshes for laparoscopic and robotic inguinal hernia repairs. METHODS: Subjects were randomized immediately before surgery. Data were reported in N (%) and median [Q1-Q3], comparisons of mesh insertion time were tested using a 2 × 2 ANOVA on the ranked times, comparisons between categorical variables were tested with Fisher's Exact, and all data were analyzed using SAS® 9.4 (SAS Institute, Inc.). RESULTS: Between January 2015 and June 2016, 50 subjects were enrolled; two were excluded. Of 48 eligible subjects, most were Caucasian (N = 42, 88%), male (N = 37, 77%), with a median age of 63, and were randomized evenly between 3DMax™ mesh and Ultrapro® mesh. Robotic mesh placement significantly increased insertion time regardless of mesh type (p < .0001). When comparing NASA-TLX self-assessment surveys, there was no significant difference between the meshes in difficulty of placement. The type of mesh did not significantly impact the insertion time regardless of robot use (p = 0.523). CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate that mesh insertion times comparing two different lightweight polypropylene meshes were not significantly different. Increased insertion times associated with robotic repair are likely due to the mechanics of robotic suturing and associated learning curve. Our data suggest that these meshes can be used interchangeably based on the surgeon's preference. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01825187.

The Broad Application of Prepectoral Direct-to-Implant Breast Reconstruction with Acellular Dermal Matrix Drape and Fluorescent Imaging in a Community Setting.

BACKGROUND: Much has been written regarding the new paradigm of prepectoral direct-to-implant reconstruction, but patient selection continues to be unclear. Prepectoral direct-to-implant (PDTI) reconstruction with acellular dermal matrix drape and fluorescent imaging (ADFI) was offered to all patients. METHODS: The PDTI with ADFI protocol is (1) fluorescent imaging following mastectomy, (2) acellular dermal matrix prepectoral drape construction, (3) direct-to-implant placement beneath drape, and (4) repeated fluorescent imaging with implant in place. RESULTS: Patient ages ranged from 29 to 82 years, and body mass index ranged from 19 to 48 kg/m. Implant size ranged from 240 to 800 cc. Two hundred thirty breasts in 131 patients were reconstructed with the PDTI with ADFI protocol between October of 2016 and June of 2018; 32 patients underwent unilateral and 99 underwent bilateral reconstruction. Twelve breasts (5 percent) received postmastectomy radiation therapy after reconstruction. Ten patients (8 percent) had previous lumpectomy and radiation therapy, with local recurrence, and underwent completion mastectomy and PDTI reconstruction with ADFI. Fifteen patients and 22 breasts (9 percent) had subpectoral reconstructions converted to PDTI with ADFI. Ten infections (4 percent) required explantation. Eight breasts (4 percent) were reconstructed with tissue expanders because of poor vascular flow. Seven breasts (3 percent) in five patients received minor cosmetic revision. CONCLUSIONS: SPY fluorescent imaging and expanded use of acellular dermal matrices has created an environment where PDTI reconstruction can be successful in nearly all postmastectomy patients. Tissue expansion/two-stage reconstruction has evolved to a default approach when vascular supply to skin flaps is compromised. PDTI reconstruction with ADFI has resulted in zero necroses of skin flaps, patients rarely undergoing revisions, fewer office visits, and quicker return to preoperative lifestyles. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Physiologic Tension: Technique for Measuring and Baseline Values.

Tension is one of the most discussed terms related to hernia surgery and repair. Despite the universally accepted opinion that tension and reduction of tension are important concepts in hernia repair, there is very little known about the physiologic tension of the abdominal wall related to ventral hernia repair. The purpose of this project was to attempt to measure physiologic tension in patients without hernia repair and help determine a normal baseline tension. Patients were enrolled in a prospective institutional review board-approved protocol to measure abdominal wall tension from February 2014 to present. Patients undergoing abdominal surgery without hernia repair were included. Demographic information and operative details were documented. Abdominal wall tensions were measured using scales attached to Kocher clamps that are clamped to the fascia and then brought together in the midline. Total tension, surgeon's estimation of tension, and grading of the fascia were recorded. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Eleven patients met the inclusion criteria and had tension measurements performed during surgery. The average age was 58 years, with 55 per cent of them being white and 82 per cent being male, with an average BMI of 27. Operations included exploratory laparotomy for small bowel pathology in six patients, colorectal surgery in three patients, and splenectomy in a trauma patient. Average tension measurements for these patients were 1.9 lbs. Surgeon grading of tension was an average of 2.2 (range, 1-5). Obtaining tension measurements is feasible during abdominal surgery. Physiologic tension seems to be approximately 2 pounds. Further study is needed with a larger sample of patients.

A Preliminary Assessment of Abdominal Wall Tension in Patients Undergoing Retromuscular Hernia Repair.

A common technique for ventral and incisional hernia repair is the retrorectus repair (Rives-Stoppa). The posterior rectus sheath is incised bilaterally, and mesh is placed retromuscularly. There is little information on how this component separation technique affects abdominal wall tension. We evaluated abdominal wall tension in patients undergoing retrorectus repair of abdominal wall hernias. Patients undergoing retrorectus repair of their ventral hernias were enrolled in a prospective, Institutional Review Board-approved protocol to measure abdominal wall tension from 8/1/2013 to 8/2/2017. Demographic information and operative details were documented. Abdominal wall tensions were measured using scales attached to Kocher clamps that were clamped to the fascia and brought together in the midline. Measurements were made before and after incising the posterior rectus sheaths. Data were analyzed with a repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), and differences between individual groups were analyzed by least square differences. Forty-five patients had tension measurements. Average age was 58 years (range 29-81)-78% Caucasian, 51% female, an average body mass index (BMI) of 35 kg/m2 (range 20-62), and 38% recurrent hernias. The average hernia defect was 121.9 cm2, and the average mesh size was 607.8 cm2. There was a significant reduction in tension after bilateral posterior rectus sheath incision (3.1 lbs vs. 5.6 lbs, p<0.0001). In this evaluation, abdominal wall tension measurements are shown to be a feasible adjunct during open hernia repair with retrorectus repair. Transection of the posterior rectus sheath decreases tension during hernia repair and may help guide surgeons regarding when to use this procedure.