Long-term Comparison of Recurrence Rates Between Different Lightweight and Heavyweight Meshes in Open Anterior Mesh Inguinal Hernia Repair: A Nationwide Population-based Register Study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the reoperation rate for recurrence of different lightweight to heavyweight meshes after an open anterior mesh (OAM) inguinal hernia repair. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Lightweight meshes have shown benefits compared with heavyweight meshes in terms of accelerated recovery after surgery with less postoperative pain. The use of such meshes may, however, be associated with an increase in hernia recurrence. Studies of large cohorts with long-term follow-up regarding recurrence are lacking. METHODS: All OAM groin hernia repairs registered in The Swedish Hernia Register between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2013 were eligible. Follow-up time was until June 30, 2016. Four groups of meshes were included: polypropylene (PP) heavyweight meshes >50 g/m2 (HWM), regular lightweight PP meshes <50 g/m2 (regular LWM-PP), lightweight PP mesh with absorbable poliglecaprone-25(LWM-PP/PGC), or polyglactin-910(LWM-PP/PG). Primary endpoint was reoperation for recurrence. RESULTS: 76,495 OAM inguinal hernia repairs in male patients were included for statistical analysis. 1676 repairs were reoperated for recurrence. Multivariate analysis demonstrated no significant difference of risk for recurrence between HWM and regular LWM-PP (HR 1.12, P = 0.13). LWM-PP/PGC (HR 1.42, P < 0.001) and LWM-PP/PG (HR 2.05, P < 0.001) resulted in a significant increased risk compared with HWM. Larger hernia defects, direct hernias, and recurrent hernias were associated with an increased risk of reoperation for recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Although lightweight meshes with partially absorbable component resulted in an increased risk of recurrence, there was no difference between regular LWM-PP and HWM. Considering that regular LWM-PP has less associated side effects there are no benefits of using HWM in OAM inguinal hernia repair.

Diagnostic difficulties and delays with chest wall chondrosarcoma: a Swedish population based Scandinavian Sarcoma Group study of 106 patients.

BACKGROUND: Bone sarcomas in Sweden are generally referred to a multidisciplinary team at specialized sarcoma centers. This practice is strictly followed for sarcomas of long bones, but not for chest wall chondrosarcomas. Delay in diagnosis and treatment is often considerable for bone sarcomas. This report focuses on the symptoms and diagnostic problems of chest wall chondrosarcoma and factors related to long doctor's delay. METHODS: The material included all 106 consecutive patients with chondrosarcoma of the chest wall diagnosed in Sweden 1980-2002. Pathological specimens were re-evaluated and graded by the Scandinavian Sarcoma Group pathology board. Files from the very first medical visit for symptoms related to the chondrosarcoma were traced and used to characterize the initial symptoms and calculate patient's and doctor's delay. RESULTS: The most prominent initial symptom for the chest wall chondrosarcomas was a palpable mass found in 69% (73/106) of the patients at the first visit. Two-thirds of the patients experienced no local chest pain. A tumor was suspected at the first visit in 83% of the patients. Patients delay was median 3 (0-118) months and doctor's delay was 4.5 (0.1-197) months. Doctor's delay was >6 months for 40% of the patients. Patients with an initial plain chest radiograph interpreted as normal (35 patients), and/or normal or inconclusive results of a fine-needle aspiration biopsy had longer doctor's delay. Fine-needle aspiration cytology done at non-specialty units resulted in only 26% correct malignant diagnoses; at sarcoma centers 94% were correctly diagnosed. Long total delay was unfavorable. Patients who died from the chondrosarcoma had longer total delay (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Chest wall chondrosarcoma presents as a lump, usually painless. Plain chest radiographs and fine-needle aspiration cytology, when done at a non-specialty center, are often normal or inconclusive. Patients should be referred to sarcoma centers for diagnosis and treatment.

Surgical treatment is decisive for outcome in chondrosarcoma of the chest wall: a population-based Scandinavian Sarcoma Group study of 106 patients.

OBJECTIVES: Chondrosarcoma of the chest wall is the most frequent primary malignant chest wall tumor. Surgery remains the only effective treatment. Sarcoma treatment in Sweden is centralized to sarcoma centers; however, sarcomas of the chest wall have also been handled by thoracic and general surgeons. METHODS: One hundred six consecutive reports of chondrosarcomas of the rib and sternum over a 22-year period (1980 to 2002) were studied, with a median of 9 (4 to 23) years of follow-up for survivors. Clinical files were gathered and pathologic specimens reviewed and graded 1 to 4 by the Scandinavian sarcoma pathology group. Surgical margins were defined as wide, marginal, or intralesional. RESULTS: Ninety-seven patients were treated with a curative intent. Patients operated with wide surgical margins had a 10-year survival of 92% compared with 47% for those with intralesional resections. The 10-year survival was 75% for patients treated at sarcoma centers and 59% for those treated by thoracic or general surgeons. Local recurrence rate was highly dependent of the surgical margins-4% after wide resections and 73% after intralesional resections. The proportion of intralesional resections was higher outside sarcoma centers. Prognostic factors (multivariate analysis) for local recurrence included surgical margin and histological grade; for metastases, prognostic factors included histologic grade, tumor size, and local recurrence. Metastases occurred in 21 of the patients and only 2 were cured. CONCLUSIONS: Patients operated with wide surgical margins resulted in fewer local recurrences and better overall survival. Patients with chest wall tumors should be referred to sarcoma centers and not to general thoracic surgery clinics for diagnosis and treatment.

Ewing sarcoma of the rib--initial symptoms and clinical features: tumor missed at the first visit in 21 of 26 patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Doctor's delay in diagnosing Ewing sarcoma is often long. We examined the initial symptoms of Ewing sarcoma of the rib to find characteristics that could help to shorten the delay in diagnosis and hopefully influence the prognosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We examined the records from the first visit for symptoms related to Ewing sarcoma of the rib in 26 consecutive patients, all of whom were <30 years of age and had been diagnosed between 1981 and 2000. All patients had a minimum of 5 years follow-up. RESULTS: A tumor was suspected at the first visit in only 5 of the 26 patients; pleurisy was the most common misdiagnosis. 23 patients complained of pain, localized or pleuritic, and 11 had a palpable mass. 15 of the 26 patients had chest radiographs taken at the first visit, but a tumor was suspected in only 4 cases. The most common radiographic finding was pleural effusion--diagnosed in 10 of the 15 patients. 23 patients were operated. It is noteworthy that in 6 patients no tumor was suspected before surgery. 12 patients died from the Ewing sarcoma. Median survival was 2.4 years. Doctor's delay was median 3.0 (0-10) months, but it exceeded 7 months in 4 patients. Patient's delay was 2.5 (0-10) months. INTERPRETATION: The most important clinical finding in Ewing sarcoma of the rib was a palpable mass and pleural effusion. Both findings are rare in this age group and should be thoroughly investigated.