Polypropelene-mesh properties and type of anchoring do not influence strength of parietal ingrowth.

PURPOSE: In laparoscopic ventral hernia repair, parietal ingrowth of the mesh is of crucial importance. Until significant ingrowth occurs integrity of the repair depends solely on mesh overlap and anchoring device. Relatively few studies have addressed the effect of mesh properties and anchoring device on long-term parietal ingrowth. METHODS: In 20 sheep, using laparoscopy, we inserted two different polypropylene-based meshes, Physiomesh™ and Ventralight™ ST, anchored with Protack™, SecureStrap™, or Glubran™. After 6 and 12 months, 10 sheep at each time point were euthanized, and we harvested the meshes with corresponding fascia. Mesh with fascia was attached on an Alwetron™ materials testing machine and pulled apart obtaining the peel-off energy (kilojoule (kJ)). RESULTS: The strength of parietal ingrowth at 6 months was 5.99 ± 0.54 kJ (mean ± SEM), 4.94 ± 0.54 kJ and 7.35 ± 0.55 kJ when anchored with Protack™, Glubran™, or SecureStrap™, respectively. At 6 months, the strength of parietal ingrowth of SecureStrap™ was significantly higher than Glubran™ (p = 0.04). No significant difference was seen between any other combinations. Parietal ingrowth at 12 months was 7.05 ± 0.56 kJ, 7.55 ± 0.54 kJ, and 5.73 ± 0.54 kJ when anchored with Protack™, Glubran™, and SecureStrap™, respectively. No significant difference in strength of parietal ingrowth was seen between the three types of anchoring, (p = 1.00, p = 1.00, and p = 0.29). CONCLUSIONS: At 12 months, the strength of parietal ingrowth was the same for all comparisons. The two polypropylene meshes showed equal strength of parietal ingrowth independent of mesh properties and anchoring devices used.

Mesh shrinkage depends on mesh properties and anchoring device: an experimental long-term study in sheep.

PURPOSE: The choice of mesh and anchoring device in laparoscopic ventral hernia repair is controversial. Clinically important long-term properties of mesh and anchoring device such as mesh shrinkage have been sparsely investigated. Furthermore, the effect of various anchoring devices on mesh properties has never been examined. METHODS: In 20 sheep, using laparoscopy, we inserted three PhysiomeshTM (large pore, lightweight) and three VentralightTMST (small pore, mediumweight), anchored with ProTackTM, SecurestrapTM or GlubranTM, respectively. After 6 and 12 months, 10 sheep at each time-point, we euthanized the animals, harvested the meshes with fascia, and measured the exact size and area of the mesh, expressing mesh shrinkage as a percentage of the initial area. RESULTS: The shrinkage of PhysiomeshTM was 35.7 %, 23.8 % and 17.7 % when anchored with ProtackTM, GlubranTM or SecurestrapTM, respectively. Shrinkage with ProtackTM was significantly higher than with either GlubranTM or SecurestrapTM, respectively (p<0.01 and p<0.01). The shrinkage of VentralightTMST was 19.3 %, 22.2 % and 19.6 % when anchored with ProtackTM, GlubranTM and SecurestrapTM, respectively (p>0.05 for all pairwise comparisons). Overall shrinkage of PhysiomeshTM anchored with ProtackTM was significantly higher for all comparisons (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that mesh shrinkage in sheep takes place within 6 months after implantation. A significant interaction between mesh and type of anchoring indicates that shrinkage may depend on both mesh properties and anchoring device. The results of the current study imply that the combined effect of mesh and anchoring device should be evaluated in future studies.

Double-blind randomized controlled trial of collagen mesh for the prevention of abdominal incisional hernia in patients having a vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneus flap during surgery for advanced pelvic malignancy.

AIM: The study investigated the effect of collagen mesh-assisted closure at the donor site in preventing the formation of incisional hernia following construction of a vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneus (VRAM) flap as part of pelvic surgery for recurrent colorectal cancer. METHOD: The study was a double-blinded randomized controlled superiority trial that was designed and performed according to the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) Statement. Eligible patients undergoing surgery that included a VRAM flap for advanced colorectal pelvic malignancy were prospectively randomized to conventional abdominal wound closure or collagen mesh-assisted closure. The primary end-point was incisional herniation at 1 year confirmed by CT. Secondary end-points were CT-verified incisional herniation at 3 and 36 months, clinically recognizable incisional herniation, donor-site and reconstructive-site complications, surgical mortality, postoperative morbidity, postoperative recovery and survival. RESULTS: In total, 58 (29 conventional closure; 29 mesh-assisted closure) patients were included. At 1 year, incisional herniation on the CT scan was found in 12 (50%) of 24 patients in the conventional closure group, and in 8 (33%) of 24 in the mesh-assisted closure group (P = 0.38). No significant difference between the groups was found in surgical mortality, early or late complications or survival. Donor-site morbidity was comparable between the two groups. CONCLUSION: No preventative effect of collagen mesh-assisted closure was observed following VRAM flap reconstruction.

Parastomal hernia repair. An update.

Repair of parastomal hernia remains controversial. Open suture repair of the fascial defect or stoma resiting are both associated with high morbidity and unacceptably high recurrence rates and are no longer recommended for routine use. Mesh repair appears to provide the best results. Following the first anectodal reports there are accumulating evidence that laparoscopic mesh repair is feasible and has a promising potential in the management of parastomal hernia. Two laparoscopic techniques have emerged, the use of a mesh with a slit and a central keyhole and a mesh without a slit, the latter often termed as a modified Sugarbaker. Published series, however, are observational and often with a short length of follow-up. Most series suffer from small sample size and controlled trials are lacking. The limited data, therefore, make it difficult to draw conclusions. At present none of the methods of open or laparoscopic mesh repair has proved superior. In spite of this laparoscopic repair has gained increasing acceptance. A polypropylene based mesh with an anti-adhesive layer covering the visceral side seems to be applicable using the keyhole technique with a slit as well as the modified Sugarbaker technique. A PTFE mesh should preferably be used with the modified Sugarbaker technique. If a PTFE mesh is used with the keyhole technique parastomal hernia is likely to recur.

Shrinkage of intraperitoneal onlay mesh in sheep: coated polyester mesh versus covered polypropylene mesh.

BACKGROUND: Currently, the laparoscopic placement of intraperitoneal mesh constitutes an acceptable option in the management of ventral hernia. To date, relatively little has been published on the consequences of intra-abdominal placement of a mesh with respect to the decrease of mesh size (shrinkage). METHODS: In each of 16 sheep, four meshes (dimensions 10 × 10 cm), two based on polyester and two on polypropylene, were placed laparoscopically on intact peritoneum and fixed with either non-absorbable or absorbable tacks. After 3, 6, 12, and 18 months, four animals, respectively, underwent a new laparoscopy with the harvesting of mesh and fascia. Quantitative measurement of the mesh size was performed and expressed as percentage shrinkage. Random core biopsies of mesh and adjacent tissue were obtained and histologically examined. RESULTS: There was a significant difference of the two meshes with respect to shrinkage at all time points. The coated polyester-based mesh was exposed to more shrinkage compared to the polypropylene mesh covered with anti-adhesive material. Random biopsies at 3 months showed an increased foreign body reaction to the coated polyester mesh. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first long-term experimental study on mesh shrinkage after the laparoscopic placement of mesh. The polyester-based mesh induced a more intense foreign body reaction and was exposed to significantly more shrinkage than the covered polypropylene mesh.

Functional cine MRI and transabdominal ultrasonography for the assessment of adhesions to implanted synthetic mesh 5-7 years after laparoscopic ventral hernia repair.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR) has gained worldwide acceptance, due to its minimally invasive character, feasibility and low rate of complications. Animal experiments have shown marked adhesions to the intraperitoneal mesh (IPM), the clinical consequences being unclear. This study aimed to describe the extension of adhesions to the mesh, 5-7 years after LVHR, using two validated non-invasive radiologic methods. METHODS: Real-time transabdominal ultrasonography (TAU) and cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was applied to 30 patients with prior LVHR and implantation of IPM (Intramesh W3, Cousin Biotech, France). The visceral slide was measured in nine predefined abdominal segments. Values

Intraperitoneal onlay mesh: an experimental study of adhesion formation in a sheep model.

PURPOSE: Current hernia literature shows that the use of mesh in ventral hernia repair reduces the risk of recurrence significantly. In laparoscopic repair, the mesh is placed intraperitoneally. Accordingly, the close contact between mesh and viscera involves a risk of adhesion formation. In this experimental study, we examined the degree of de novo adhesion formation over time to currently available meshes. METHODS: Sixteen sheep each received laparoscopic placement of four (10 x 10 cm) meshes on intact peritoneum. Two different mesh materials (coated vs. non-coated) and two different fixation devices (absorbable/non-absorbable) were investigated. (Parietex Composite, DynaMesh IPOM, ProTack and AbsorbaTack). After 3, 6, 12 and 18 months, four animals, respectively, underwent a new laparoscopy to determine the extent of adhesions to the mesh. RESULTS: Parietex Composite significantly reduced the formation of intraabdominal adhesions compared to DynaMesh IPOM. The mean extent of adhesions increases over time without reaching a steady state within the first 12 months after laparoscopic placement. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first long-term (18 months) experimental study on adhesion formation in sheep after laparoscopic placement of mesh and may serve as a template for future studies on meshes before marketing.

Establishment and initial experiences from the Danish Ventral Hernia Database.

PURPOSE: Outcome after ventral hernia repair is not optimal. The surgical technique relies on personal preferences or evidence from small-scale studies, rather than large-scale prospective data with high external validity. The purpose of this paper was to describe the establishment and potential of the Danish Ventral Hernia Database (DVHD). Furthermore, the first 2-year data from 2007 to 2008 are presented. METHODS: Registrations were based on surgeons' web registrations and validated by cross checking with data from the Danish National Patient Register. RESULTS: The DVHD was established in June 2006 and is based on prospective online web-registration of perioperative data, and individualised tracking of follow up data. During the first 2 years (2007-2008) data showed a large variation in almost all aspects of ventral hernia repair regarding surgical technique, use of open versus laparoscopic technique, use of mesh or no mesh, type of suture material, and placement of the mesh. A total of 5,629 elective and 661 acute ventral hernia repairs were registered. After the first 2 years the registration rate was 70%. CONCLUSION: The first national ventral hernia database has been established. Preliminary results call for large-scale prospective and randomised studies to improve outcomes. Overall, the DVHD may facilitate identification of surgical technical problems and contribute to improved outcomes. The initial registration rate of 70% is inadequate and initiatives have been undertaken to reach >95% of all hernia repairs as in the Danish Inguinal Hernia Database.

Nationwide study of early outcomes after incisional hernia repair.

BACKGROUND: There are no nationwide studies on early outcomes after incisional hernia repair. METHODS: This study included all patients aged 18 years or more who had surgery for incisional hernia in Denmark between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2006, and analysed clinical outcomes within 30 days of surgery. Patients having acute operations and those whose hernia repair was secondary to other procedures were excluded. RESULTS: Of a total of 2896 incisional hernia repairs (1872 open, 1024 laparoscopic), 2754 (95.1 per cent) were for primary hernia and 142 (4.9 per cent) for recurrence. The median hospital stay was 1 (range 0-88) day (open, 1 day; laparoscopic, 2 days); 10.0 per cent stayed for more than 6 days. Some 11.2 per cent of patients were readmitted (open, 10.1 per cent; laparoscopic, 13.1 per cent). Major complications were observed in 3.5 per cent (open, 2.8 per cent; laparoscopic, 4.8 per cent) with a total morbidity rate of 10.7 per cent (open, 10.1 per cent; laparoscopic, 11.8 per cent). The mortality rate was 0.4 per cent (open, 0.2 per cent; laparoscopic, 0.7 per cent). Morbidity and mortality were not related to surgical volume. CONCLUSION: Outcomes after incisional hernia repair seem unsatisfactory.

Intestinal microdialysis--applicability, reproducibility and local tissue response in a pig model.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Microdialysis has been applied to the intestinal wall for the purpose of monitoring local ischemia. The aim of this study was to investigate the applicability, reproducibility and local response to microdialysis in the intestinal wall. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 12 pigs two microdialysis probes were inserted into the ileal wall, one in the peritoneal cavity and one in the psoas muscle. Relative recovery was measured for all probes by the no net flux method. Metabolic measurements of glucose, lactate and glycerol were performed over six hours. The ileal wall segments containing the probes were processed for histological examination. RESULTS: Large intra- and inter-group differences in the relative recovery were found between all locations. Absolute values of metabolites showed no significant changes during the study period. The lactate in blood was 25-30% of the intra-tissue values. A severe inflammatory reaction was seen in the ileal wall around all probes. CONCLUSION: Measurement of the relative recovery is essential for valid measurements of metabolites when using microdialysis. The inflammatory reaction around the probe in the intestinal wall is likely to affect metabolism and measurements hereof. Therefore intestinal wall microdialysis seems confined to experimental research, and future studies should consider the intra-peritoneal approach.

Prospective nationwide analysis of laparoscopic versus Lichtenstein repair of inguinal hernia.

BACKGROUND: According to a Cochrane review, laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair compares favourably with open mesh repair, but few data exist from surgical practice outside departments with a special interest in hernia surgery. This study compared nationwide reoperation rates after laparoscopic and Lichtenstein repair, adjusting for factors predisposing to recurrence. METHODS: Some 3606 consecutive laparoscopic repairs were compared with 39 537 Lichtenstein repairs that were prospectively recorded in a nationwide registry between 1998 and 2003. Patients were subgrouped according to type of hernia: primary or recurrent and unilateral or bilateral. Overall reoperation rates and 95 per cent confidence intervals were calculated. Long-term reoperation rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The overall reoperation rates after laparoscopic and Lichtenstein repair of unilateral primary indirect hernia (0 versus 1.0 per cent), primary direct hernia (1.1 versus 3.1 per cent), unilateral recurrent hernia (4.6 versus 4.8 per cent) and bilateral recurrent hernia (2.6 versus 7.6 per cent) did not differ. However, laparoscopic repair of a bilateral primary hernia was associated with a higher reoperation rate than Lichtenstein repair (4.8 versus 3.0 per cent) (P = 0.017). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic repair compared favourably with Lichtenstein repair for primary indirect and direct hernias, and unilateral and bilateral recurrent hernias, but was inferior for primary bilateral hernias.

Quality assessment of 26,304 herniorrhaphies in Denmark: a prospective nationwide study.

BACKGROUND: Groin hernia repair is one of the most frequent operations, but there is no consensus about surgical or anaesthetic technique. Furthermore, no nationwide studies have been done. Our aim was to investigate outcome results of groin hernia surgery to improve quality of treatment. METHODS: We prospectively recorded 26304 groin hernia repairs done in Denmark from Jan 1, 1998, to June 30, 2000, in a nationwide Danish hernia database. FINDINGS: 93% of all groin herniorrhaphies done in Denmark in the 30 months of the study were recorded in the database. Kaplan-Meier estimates of reoperation rates 30 months after anterior mesh repair and laparoscopic repair were significantly lower than after sutured posterior wall repairs in primary inguinal hernia (2.2% and 2.6% vs 4.4%; p<0.0001). Reoperation rates were also lower with anterior mesh repair (6.1%; p<0.0001) and laparoscopic repair (3.4%; p<0.0001) than with sutured posterior wall repair (10.6%) after recurrent hernia. Use of Lichtenstein mesh repair increased from 33% in January, 1998, to 62% in June, 2000, whereas use of laparoscopic repair remained constant at about 5%. Kaplan-Meier estimates of reoperation rates were 2.8% in the first 15 months and 1.6% in the second (p=0.03). For elective repairs, only 59% of patients were treated on an outpatient basis, and only 18% had local anaesthesia. INTERPRETATION: Mesh repairs have a lower reoperation rate than conventional open repairs. Systematic prospective recording of treatment and outcome variables in a national clinical database improved the overall quality of surgical care. However, there is a large potential for cost savings and more efficient patient care with extended use of mesh techniques, outpatient surgery, and local anaesthesia.

[Complications of cholecystectomy before and after introduction of laparoscopic surgery]. / Komplikationer til kolecystektomi før og efter indførelse af laparoskopisk kirurgi.

OBJECTIVES: In the University Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Arhus University Hospital, the frequency of complications to acute and elective cholecystectomy was investigated before and after introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective survey turned up 1768 patients in the period of conventional open surgery (1974-1985) and 1432 patients in the laparoscopic period (1991-1998). All patients with exploration of the common bile duct were excluded. RESULTS: In the open period 12 patients (0.68%) had lesions of the common bile duct requiring reconstruction. In patients operated on with laparoscopic cholecystectomy, lesions of the common bile duct were found in three patients (0.21%) (p = 0.06). Lesions of the cystic duct or an aberrant bile duct occurred in 14 patients (0.79%) during the open period and in 24 patients (1.7%) (p < 0.05) operated on with the laparoscopic technique. Infectious and cardiopulmonary complications were seen in significantly more patients operated on with the open technique. DISCUSSION: It is concluded that laparoscopic cholecystectomy offers a safe procedure, although the technique can still be improved, especially with respect to decreasing leakage from the cystic duct.

Randomized clinical trial of laparoscopic versus open appendicectomy.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopy in patients with a clinical suspicion of acute appendicitis has not gained wide acceptance, and its use remains controversial. METHODS: In a randomized controlled trial of laparoscopic versus open appendicectomy, 583 of 828 consecutive patients consented to participate. Three hundred and one patients were allocated to open appendicectomy and 282 patients to laparoscopy, 65 of whom required conversion to open appendicectomy. Length of stay in hospital was the primary endpoint, while operating time, postoperative morbidity, duration of convalescence and cosmesis were secondary endpoints. RESULTS: Intention-to-treat analysis revealed an equally short hospital stay in the two groups (median 2 days). The median time to return to normal activity (7 versus 10 days) and work (10 versus 16 days) was significantly shorter following laparoscopy. Laparoscopy was associated with fewer wound infections (P < 0.03) and improved cosmesis (P < 0.001), but the operating time was longer (60 versus 40 min). Laparoscopy was associated with more intraperitoneal abscesses (5 versus 1 per cent) but, adjusted for a greater number of gangrenous or perforated appendices in this group, the difference failed to reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Hospital stay was equally short, whereas laparoscopic appendicectomy was associated with fewer wound infections, faster recovery, earlier return to work and improved cosmesis.

[MR-cholangiography in patients suspected with choledochus calculi]. / MR-kolangiografi hos patienter mistaenkt for choledochussten.

To test a new non-invasive imaging method, magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRCP), we compared MRCP with intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) or endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC). In 55 patients with 11 common bile duct stones MRCP identified all 11 stones and incorrectly found stones in seven additional patients. Predictive value of positive test was 61%, predictive value of negative test was 100%. As a consequence of MRCP, ERC or IOC can be avoided in 67% of the patients.

[Laparoscopic adrenalectomy. An alternative to open surgery of minor adrenal tumors]. / Laparoskopisk adrenalektomi. Et alternativ til åben operation ved mindre binyretumorer.

In the period February 1994 to November 1995 11 laparoscopic adrenalectomies were performed at our institution (seven women, four men). A transperitoneal approach was used in both right- and left-sided operations. Results were collected retrospectively. Indications for surgery were: Conn's syndrome (four), Cushing's syndrome (two), phaecromocytoma (four), and incidentaloma (one). The operations took median 170 minutes (range 105-250 minutes). Median size of the tumour was 4 cm range 1(1/2)-5 cm). No significant peri- or postoperative complications were recorded. The patients were discharged from the surgical unit median two days after surgery. Laparoscopic operation emerges as an alternative to open operation when dealing with smaller adrenal tumours. Because of the small number of patients, these operations have to be restricted to a few centres where both internists, anaesthesiologists and surgeons with expertise in this field are found.

Randomised trial of single and repeated fibrin glue compared with injection of polidocanol in treatment of bleeding peptic ulcer.

BACKGROUND: Although injection treatments for ulcer haemostasis seem to be effective, recurrent bleeding remains a serious problem. Large randomised clinical trials are required to show differences between treatment modalities for gastrointestinal bleeding. The aim of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of repeated endoscopic injection of fibrin glue (FG) with that of single endoscopic injection of polidocanol in the prevention of recurrent bleeding. METHODS: 854 patients with active gastroduodenal bleeding (spurting, oozing), or ulcers with a visible non-bleeding vessel, were randomly assigned one of three endoscopic treatments: single application of polidocanol 1%, single application of FG, or daily repeated application of FG until the visible vessel had disappeared. All patients were pretreated with local injection of epinephrine (1/10,000), and had daily repeat endoscopies until the vessel observed at initial endoscopy was no longer visible. FINDINGS: Recurrent bleeding rates among the 790 patients in whom the rates could be assessed were 58 (22.8%) of 254 in the polidocranol group, 51 (19.2%) of 266 in the FG-single group, and 41 (15.2%) of 270 in the FG-repeated group. The difference between FG-repeated treatment and polidocanol was significant (p = 0.036). Treatment failed, making other treatments (including surgery) necessary, in 34 (13.0%) of 261 in the polidocanol group, 34 (12.4%) of 274 in the FG-single group, and 21 (7.7%) of 274 in the FG-repeated group. The difference between FG-repeated treatment and polidocanol was significant (p = 0.046). The 30-day-mortality rates were low in all three treatment groups (polidocanol 4.7%; FG-single treatment 5.3%, FG-repeated treatment 4.3%). The safety profiles of the three treatment strategies were similar. INTERPRETATION: Repeated injection with FG glue is significantly more effective than injection with polidocanol 1% in the treatment of bleeding from gastroduodenal ulcers.