Clinical and Quality of Life Assessment of Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Hiatal Hernia Repair.

Hiatal hernia repair (HHR) and fundoplication are similarly performed among all hiatal hernia types with similar techniques. This study evaluates the effect of HHR using a standardized technique for cruroplasty with a reinforcing polyglycolic acid and trimethylene carbonate mesh (PGA/TMC) on patient symptoms and outcomes. A retrospective review of patient perioperative characteristics and postoperative outcomes was conducted for cases of laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair (LHHR) using a PGA/TMC mesh performed over 21 months. Gastroesophageal reflux disease symptom questionnaire responses were compared between preoperative and three postoperative time points. Ninety-six patients underwent LHHR with a PGA/TMC mesh. Postoperatively, the number of overall symptoms reported by patients decreased across all postoperative periods (P < 0.001). Patients reported a significant reduction in antacid use long term (P < 0.001). Laryngeal and regurgitation symptoms decreased at all time points (P < 0.05). There was no difference in dysphagia preoperatively and postoperatively at any time point. Individuals undergoing HHR with PGA/TMC mesh experienced improved regurgitation and laryngeal symptoms, and decreased use of antacid medication.

Outcomes after Ventral Hernia Repair Using the Rives-Stoppa, Endoscopic, and Open Component Separation Techniques.

Complex ventral hernias remain a challenge for general surgeons despite advances in minimally invasive surgical techniques. This study compares outcomes following Rives-Stoppa (RS) repair, components separation technique with mesh (CST-M) or without mesh (CST), and endoscopic components separation technique (ECST). A retrospective review of patients undergoing open ventral hernia repair between 2006 and 2011 was performed. Analysis included patient demographics, surgical site occurrences, hernia recurrence, hospital readmission, and mortality. The search was limited to open repairs, specifically the RS, CST-M, CST, and ECST with mesh techniques. A total of 362 patients underwent repair with RS (66), CST-M (126), CST (117), or ECST (53). The groups were demographically similar. ECST was more frequently used for patients with a history of two or more recurrences (P < 0.001). The RS method had the lowest rate of recurrence (9.1%) compared with CST and CST-M with 28 and 25 per cent recurrences, respectively (P = 0.011). The RS recurrence rate was not significantly different than ECST (15%). There were no significant differences between groups for surgical site occurrences (P = 0.305), hospital readmission (P = 0.288), or death (P = 0.197). When components separation is necessary for complex ventral hernia repair, ECST is a viable option without added morbidity or mortality.