UMBILICAL AND EPIGASTRIC HERNIA REPAIR: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW.

BACKGROUND: Umbilical and epigastric hernias are among the most common hernias of the abdominal wall; however, there is a lack of standardization for their treatment. AIMS: To clarify the controversies regarding therapeutic possibilities, indications, and surgical techniques for umbilical and epigastric hernia repair. METHODS: A systematic review and qualitative analysis of randomized clinical trials published in the last 20 years, involving adults (aged 18 years and over) with umbilical and/or epigastric hernias, was performed by systematically searching the PubMed/Medline, Cochrane, SciELO, and LILACS databases. The risk of bias in individual studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. RESULTS: Initially, 492 studies were selected and, subsequently, 15 randomized controlled clinical trials were chosen that met the inclusion criteria and underwent full reading and qualitative analysis, considering possible bias. CONCLUSIONS: This review concluded that it is evident the superiority of the use of meshes in the repair of epigastric/primary umbilical hernias with a defect larger than 1 cm, even in certain emergency situations. However, suture repair is a good option for patients with a defect smaller than 1 cm. In the laparoscopic approach, recent evidence points towards possible superiority in fixation with fibrin sealant, and fascial defect closure is recommended. In addition, due to a scarcity of randomized controlled trials with low risk of bias, further studies are needed on types, positioning and fixation techniques, as well as the real role of video-assisted laparoscopic surgery in the correction of hernias, especially umbilical.

Umbilical and epigastric hernia repair: a systematic review / Tratamento das hérnias umbilicais e epigástricas: uma revisão sistemática

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Umbilical and epigastric hernias are among the most common hernias of the abdominal wall; however, there is a lack of standardization for their treatment. AIMS: To clarify the controversies regarding therapeutic possibilities, indications, and surgical techniques for umbilical and epigastric hernia repair. METHODS: A systematic review and qualitative analysis of randomized clinical trials published in the last 20 years, involving adults (aged 18 years and over) with umbilical and/or epigastric hernias, was performed by systematically searching the PubMed/Medline, Cochrane, SciELO, and LILACS databases. The risk of bias in individual studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. RESULTS: Initially, 492 studies were selected and, subsequently, 15 randomized controlled clinical trials were chosen that met the inclusion criteria and underwent full reading and qualitative analysis, considering possible bias. CONCLUSIONS: This review concluded that it is evident the superiority of the use of meshes in the repair of epigastric/primary umbilical hernias with a defect larger than 1 cm, even in certain emergency situations. However, suture repair is a good option for patients with a defect smaller than 1 cm. In the laparoscopic approach, recent evidence points towards possible superiority in fixation with fibrin sealant, and fascial defect closure is recommended. In addition, due to a scarcity of randomized controlled trials with low risk of bias, further studies are needed on types, positioning and fixation techniques, as well as the real role of video-assisted laparoscopic surgery in the correction of hernias, especially umbilical.

RESUMO RACIONAL: As hérnias umbilicais e epigástricas estão entre as hérnias mais comuns da parede abdominal, porém falta padronização em relação ao seu tratamento. OBJETIVOS: Esclarecer as controvérsias acerca das possibilidades terapêuticas, indicações e técnicas cirúrgicas relacionadas ao tratamento das hérnias umbilicais e epigástricas. MÉTODOS: Foi realizada revisão sistemática e análise qualitativa dos estudos publicados nos últimos 20 anos, envolvendo indivíduos maiores de 18 anos com hérnias umbilicais e/ou epigástricas, por meio de busca nas bases de dados PubMed/Medline, Cochrane, LILACS e SciELO, sendo selecionados estudos do tipo ensaios clínicos randomizados controlados para análise. Foi determinado o risco de viés de cada estudo individualmente de acordo com a ferramenta Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. RESULTADOS: Foram inicialmente selecionados 492 estudos e, posteriormente, escolhidos 15 ensaios clínicos randomizados controlados que preencheram os critérios de inclusão e foram submetidos à leitura integral e análise qualitativa, considerando os possíveis viés. CONCLUSÕES: Esta revisão concluiu que é evidente a superioridade do uso de telas no tratamento das hérnias epigástricas/umbilicais primárias com defeito superior a 1 cm, mesmo em certas situações de emergência. No entanto, o reparo com sutura pode ser uma opção em pacientes com defeito menor que 1 cm. Na abordagem laparoscópica, evidências recentes apontam para possível superioridade na fixação com selantes de fibrina e o fechamento do defeito fascial é recomendado. Ademais, devido à escassez de ensaios clínicos randomizados controlados com baixo risco de viés, foi identificada a necessidade de desenvolver mais estudos sobre os tipos, técnicas de posicionamento e fixação das telas, assim como sobre qual o real papel da cirurgia videolaparoscópica na correção das hérnias, especialmente as umbilicais.

Meckel's Diverticulum Perforation by Foreign Body: A Case Report.

Meckel's diverticulum is the most common gastrointestinal congenital defect, which, although asymptomatic in adults, may present symptoms in obstruction, inflammation, bleeding and foreign body perforation. There are only 8 reported cases of Meckel's diverticulum perforation by chicken bone. We report a case of a 24-year-old man presenting a 2-day-history of periumbilical pain that shifted to the right lower quadrant in 24 hours. Clinical and laboratory findings led to an appendicitis diagnosis, followed by laparotomy. Normal appendix was found intraoperatively along with an incidental finding of an inflamed and perforated Meckel's diverticulum by chicken bone. Diverticulectomy and enteroanastomosis were performed and the patient had a successful recovery, being discharged after 5 days. Although rare, its clinical presentation might be similar to acute appendicitis, which restate the importance of collecting a detailed clinical history and examining the small bowel in order to investigate a possible Meckel's diverticulum complication in the differential diagnosis.