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Introduction: Early after its adoption, minimally invasive surgery had limited usefulness in emergent cases. However, with improvements in equipment, techniques, and skills, laparoscopy in complex and emergency operations expanded substantially. This study aimed to examine the trend of laparoscopy in incarcerated or strangulated ventral hernia repair (VHR) over time., Methods: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database was queried for laparoscopic repair of incarcerated and strangulated hernias (LIS-VHR) and compared over 2 time periods, 2014-2016 and 2017-2019., Results: The utilization of laparoscopy in all incarcerated or strangulated VHR increased over time (2014-2016: 39.9% (n = 14 075) vs 2017-2019: 46.3% (n = 18 369), P < .001). Though likely not clinically significant, demographics and comorbidities statistically differed between groups (female: 51.7% vs 50.0%, P = .003; age 54.5 ± 13.7 vs 55.4 ± 13.8 years, P < .001; BMI 34.9 ± 8.0 vs 34.6 ± 7.8 kg/m 2 , P < .001). Patients from 2017 to 2019 were less comorbid (18.9% vs 16.8% smokers, P < .001; 18.2% vs 17.3% diabetic, P = .036; 4.6% vs 4.1% COPD, P = .021) but had higher ASA classification (III: 43.3% vs 45.7%; IV: 2.5% vs 2.7%, P < .001). Hernia types (primary, incisional, recurrent) were similar in each group. Operative time (89.7 ± 59.3 vs 97.4 ± 63.4 min, P < .001) became longer but length-of-stay (1.4 ± 3.3 vs 1.1 ± 2.6 days, P < .001) decreased. There was no statistical difference in surgical complications, medical complications, reoperation, or readmission rates between periods., Conclusion: Laparoscopic VHR has become a routine method for treating incarcerated and strangulated hernias, and its utilization continues to increase over time. Clinical outcomes have remained the same while hospital stays have decreased., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

An analysis of ACS-NSQIP open ventral hernia repair (OVHR) data (2017-2019) was performed. Respiratory failure (RF) occurred in 643 patients (1%) and not in 63,213 (99%) (nRF). Respiratory failure patients were older (63.7 vs 57 years, P < .001) and more comorbid: insulin-dependent diabetes (14.7% vs 5.8%, P < .001), COPD (19.4% vs 5.2%, P < .001), BMI (36.0 vs 32.8, P < .001), and current tobacco use (24.9% vs 17.6%, P < .001). Respiratory failure patients had greater ASA scores (ASA 3: 63.3% vs 47.8%, P < .001), bowel resection (8.2% vs 1.3%, P < .001), component separation (20.1% vs 9.0%, P < .001), operative times (178.4 vs 98.8 minutes, P < .001), complications (deep wound infections 3.6% vs 1.0%, organ space infections 13.2% vs 1.0%, wound dehiscence 3.1% vs 0.6%, acute renal failure 11.7% vs 0.1%), and hospital stay (13.7 vs 2.3 days), with fewer home discharges (44.3% vs 96.4%) (all P < .001). Respiratory failure patients had higher mortality compared to nRF (20.2% vs 0.1%, P < .001). Respiratory failure after OVHR is rare but correlates closely with significant wound, systemic, and social complications. Preoperative management of risk factors would be appropriate in high-risk patients., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Background: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs have become increasingly popular in general surgery, yet no guidelines exist for an abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR)-specific program. We aimed to evaluate predictors of increased length of stay (LOS) in the AWR population to aid in creating an AWR-specific ERAS protocol., Methods: A prospective, single institution hernia center database was queried for all patients undergoing open AWR (1999-2019). Standard statistical methods and linear and logistic regression were used to evaluate for predictors of increased LOS. Groups were compared based on LOS below or above the median LOS of 6 days (IQR = 4-8)., Results: Inclusion criteria were met by 2,505 patients. On average, the high LOS group was older, with higher rates of CAD, COPD, diabetes, obesity, and pre-operative narcotic use (all P < .05). Longer LOS patients had more complex hernias with larger defects, higher rates of mesh infection/fistula, and more often required a component separation (all P < .05). Multivariate analysis identified age (β0.04,SE0.02), BMI (β0.06,SE0.03), hernia defect size (β0.003,SE0.001), active mesh infection or mesh fistula (β1.8,SE0.72), operative time (β0.02,SE0.002), and ASA score >4 (β3.6,SE1.7) as independently associated factors for increased LOS (all P < .05). Logistic regression showed that an increased length of stay trended toward an increased risk of hernia recurrence ( P = .06)., Conclusions: Multiple patient and hernia characteristics are shown to significantly affect LOS, which, in turn, increases the odds of AWR failure. Weight loss, peri-operative geriatric optimization, prehabilitation of comorbidities, and operating room efficiency can enhance recovery and shorten LOS following AWR.

Introduction: Minimally invasive ventral hernia repair (MISVHR) has been performed for almost 30 years; recently, there has been an accelerated adoption of the robotic platform leading to renewed comparisons to open ventral hernia repair (OVHR). The present study evaluates patterns and outcomes of readmissions for MISVHR and OVHR patients., Methods: The Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) was queried for patients undergoing OVHR and MISVHR from 2016 to 2018. Demographic characteristics, complications, and 90-day readmissions were determined. A subgroup analysis was performed to compare robotic ventral hernia repair (RVHR) vs laparoscopic hernia repair (LVHR). Standard statistical methods and logistic regression were used., Results: Over the 3-year period, there were 25 795 MISVHR and 180 635 OVHR admissions. Minimally invasive ventral hernia repair was associated with a lower rate of 90-day readmission (11.3% vs 17.3%, P < .01), length of stay (LOS) (4.0 vs 7.9 days, P < .01), and hospital charges ($68,240 ± 75 680 vs $87,701 ± 73 165, P < .01), which remained true when elective and non-elective repairs were evaluated independently. Postoperative infection was the most common reason for readmission but was less common in the MISVHR group (8.4% vs 16.8%, P < .01). Robotic ventral hernia repair increased over the 3-year period and was associated with decreased LOS (3.7 vs 4.1 days, P < .01) and comparable readmissions (11.3% vs 11.2%, P = .74) to LVHR, but was nearly $20,000 more expensive. In logistic regression, OVHR, non-elective operation, urban-teaching hospital, increased LOS, comorbidities, and payer type were predictive of readmission., Conclusions: Open ventral hernia repair was associated with increased LOS and increased readmissions compared to MISVHR. Robotic ventral hernia repair had comparable readmissions and decreased LOS to LVHR, but it was more expensive.

Objectives: Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR) has been shown to decrease wound complications and length of stay (LOS) but results in more postoperative discomfort. The benefits of LVHR for the growing geriatric population are unclear. The aim of our study is to evaluate long-term outcomes and quality of life (QOL) after LVHR in the geriatric population., Methods: A prospectively collected single-center database was queried for all patients who underwent LVHR (1999-2019). Age groups were defined as <40 (young), 40-64 (middle age), and ≥65 years (geriatric). QOL was assessed with the Carolinas Comfort Scale., Results: LVHR was performed in 1181 patients, of which 13.4% were young, 61.6% middle aged, and 25.0% geriatric. Hernia defect size (64.2 ± 94.4 vs 79.9 ± 102.4 vs 84.7 ± 110.0 cm 2 ) and number of comorbidities (2.2 ± 2.1 vs 3.2 ± 2.2 vs 4.3 ± 2.2) increased with age (all P < .05). LOS increased with age (2.9 ± 2.5 vs 3.8 ± 2.9 vs 5.2 ± 5.3 days, P < .0001). Rates of postoperative cardiac events, pneumonia, respiratory failure, wound complication, reoperation, and death were similar ( P > .05). Geriatric patients had increased rate of ileus and urinary retention (all P < .05). Overall recurrence rate was 5.7% with an average follow-up of 43.5 months, with no differences in recurrence between groups ( P > .05). Geriatric patients had better overall QOL at 2 weeks ( P = .0008) and similar QOL at 1, 6, and 12 months., Discussion: LVHR offers excellent results in the geriatric population. Despite having increased rates of comorbidities and larger hernia defects, which may relate to LOS, rates of complications and recurrence were similar compared with younger cohorts, with better short-term QOL.

Umbilical hernia repair (UHR) is one of the most commonly performed hernia operations with reported recurrence rate from 1% to 54%. Our aim was to describe an open, laparoscopic-assisted (OLA) technique and its outcome in an institutional review board-approved prospective study at a tertiary hernia center from 2008 to 2019. All patients underwent a standard periumbilical incision, open dissection of the hernia, and closure of the fascial defect with laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh (IPOM) fixation with permanent tacks. A total of 186 patients were identified who underwent an OLA UHR repair. Patient characteristics are as follows: average age 52.8 ± 12.5 years, male gender 79.6%, body mass index 31.4 ± 8.0 kg/m 2 , and average hernia defect size of 2.8 ± 4.8 cm 2 . Forty-one (22.0%) patients had previous failed repair. Sixty-nine (37.1%) patients had another procedure performed at the time of the UHR, most commonly a laparoscopic transabdominal inguinal hernia repair (58%). The mean operative time was 87.3 ± 51.2 minutes, but only 63.9 ± 31.9 minutes for patients undergoing an OLA repair. There were no recurrences (0%) on abdominal physical or radiographic examination with an average follow-up of 16.5 ± 17.7 months. Postoperative complications included wound erythema (2.7%), hematomas (1.1%), seromas (2.7%), and 4.3% received postoperative oral antibiotics. One person was readmitted for seroma drainage, and another required reoperation for small bowel obstruction unrelated to the hernia repair. One patient had chronic pain requiring tack removal. With moderate follow-up, an OLA UHR with mesh appears to be a durable repair with favorable results, including those patients with recurrent hernias.

Radiologic indicators of sarcopenia have been associated with adverse operative outcomes in some surgical populations. This study assesses the association of radiologic indicators of frailty with outcomes after open ventral hernia repair (OVHR). A prospective, institutional, hernia-specific database was queried for patients undergoing OVHR from 2007 to 2018 with preoperative CT. Psoas muscle cross-sectional area at L3 was measured and adjusted for height (skeletal muscle index (SMI)). L3 vertebral body density (L3 VBD) was measured. Demographics and outcomes were evaluated as related to SMI and L3 VBD. Of 1178 patients, 9.7 per cent of females and 15.8 per cent of males had sarcopenia and 11.6 per cent of females and 9.2 per cent of males had osteopenia. Neither sarcopenia nor osteopenia were associated with outcomes of wound infection, readmission, reoperation, hernia recurrence, or major complications. When examined as continuous variables or by quartile, SMI and L3 VBD were not associated with adverse outcomes, including in subsets of male or female patients, the elderly, contaminated cases, and the obese. Radiologic markers of sarcopenia and osteopenia are not associated with adverse outcomes after OVHR. Further study should examine age or other potential predictors of outcomes in this patient population, such as independent status.

Quality of life (QOL) has become an important focus of hernia repair outcomes. This study aims to identify factors which lead to ideal outcomes (asymptomatic and without recurrence) in large umbilical hernias (defect size ≥9 cm(2)). Review of the prospective International Hernia Mesh Registry was performed. The Carolinas Comfort Scale was used to measure QOL at 1-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up. Demographics, operative details, complications, and QOL data were evaluated using standard statistical methods. Forty-four large umbilical hernia repairs were analyzed. Demographics included: average age 53.6 ± 12.0 and body mass index 34.9 ± 7.2 kg/m(2). The mean defect size was 21.7 ± 16.9 cm(2), and 72.7 per cent were performed laparoscopically. Complications included hematoma (2.3%), seroma (12.6%), and recurrence (9.1%). Follow-up and ideal outcomes were one month = 28.2 per cent, six months = 42.9 per cent, one year = 55.6 per cent. All patients who remained symptomatic at one and two years were significantly symptomatic before surgery. Symptomatic preoperative activity limitation was a significant predictor of nonideal outcomes at one year (P = 0.02). Symptomatic preoperative pain was associated with nonideal outcomes at one year, though the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.06). Operative technique, mesh choice, and fixation technique did not impact recurrence or QOL. Repair of umbilical hernia with defects ≥9 cm(2) had a surprising low rate of ideal outcomes (asymptomatic and no recurrence). All patients with nonideal long-term outcomes had preoperative pain and activity limitations. These data may suggest that umbilical hernia should be repaired when they are small and asymptomatic.

Surgeons often consider that a right colectomy (RC) carries less risk than a left or sigmoid colectomy (L/SC). Our aim was to compare outcomes between RC and L/SC. Review of the Carolinas Medical Center National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data from 2013 to February 2015 was performed. Procedures were categorized as RC Versus L/SC based on current procedural terminology codes for both open and laparoscopic colectomies. Demographics and minor and major complications were evaluated using standard statistical methods. A total of 164 RC and 211 L/SC were studied. RC patients were older (63.9 ± 14.2 vs 59.4 ± 13.0, P < 0.001). Patients undergoing RC had more comorbidities, and 64.6 per cent had an American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) Class III or above Versus 51.7 per cent of those undergoing L/SC (P = 0.02). RC had significantly higher rates of postop urinary tract infection (7.3% vs 2.8%, P = 0.04) and postop transfusions (P = 0.01). Average length of stay was longer for RC (10.1 ± 8.6 days vs 8.3 ± 7.0 days, P < 0.01). After controlling for ASA class, preoperative hematocrit and surgical technique (lap Versus open), multivariate analysis indicated that there were no longer any significant differences in outcomes between RC and L/SC. There were no differences between the group complications including superficial or deep surgical site infections, anastomotic leak, myocardial infarction (MI), pneumonia, or 30-day mortality. RC patients tended to be sicker and had more medical complications postop with initial evaluation of the data. However, when controlling for ASA, hematocrit, and techniques, there were no differences in complications when RC was compared to L/SC. The belief that L/SC has a higher rate of complications compared to RC is not supported.

Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (ACPO) is a rare but often fatal disease. Herein, we present the largest study to date on ACPO. The National Inpatient Sample was queried for ACPO diagnoses from 1998 to 2011. Patients were analyzed by treatment into four groups: medical management (MM), colonoscopy alone [(endoscopy-only group) ENDO], surgery alone (SURG), or surgery and colonoscopy (SAC). Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of adverse outcomes by treatment group. There were 106,784 cases of ACPO: 96,657 (90.5%) MM, 2,915 (2.7%) ENDO, 6,731 (6.3%) SURG, and 481 (0.5%) SAC. The medical complication (45.7%), procedural complication (15.9%), and mortality rates (7.7%) were high. Increasing procedure invasiveness was independently associated with higher odds of medical complications, procedural complications, and death (P < 0.0125). The odds of death were significantly higher in the ENDO [odds ratio (OR) = 1.2], SURG (OR 1.4), and SAC (OR = 1.8) groups (P < 0.0125). Those who fail MM and require procedures have increasing morbidity and mortality with increasing invasiveness, likely reflecting the severity of their conditions.

Modern adjuncts to complex, open ventral hernia repair often include component separation (CS) and/or panniculectomy (PAN). This study examines nationwide data to determine how these techniques impact postoperative complications. The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried from 2005 to 2013 for inpatient, elective open ventral hernia repairs (OVHR). Cases were grouped by the need for and type of concomitant advancement flaps: OVHR alone (OVHRA), OVHR with CS, OVHR with panniculectomy (PAN), or both CS and PAN (BOTH). Multivariate regression to control for confounding factors was conducted. There were 58,845 OVHR: 51,494 OVHRA, 5,357 CS, 1,617 PAN, and 377 BOTH. Wound complications (OVHRA 8.2%, CS 12.8%, PAN 14.4%, BOTH 17.5%), general complications (15.2%, 24.9%, 25.2%, 31.6%), and major complications (6.9%, 11.4%, 7.2%, 13.5%) were different between groups (P < 0.0001). There was no difference in mortality. Multivariate regression showed CS had higher odds of wound [odds ratio (OR) 1.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5-2.0], general (OR 1.5, 95% CI: 1.3-1.8), and major complications (OR 2.1, 95%, CI: 1.8-2.4), and longer length of stay by 2.3 days. PAN had higher odds of wound (OR 1.5, 95%, CI: 1.3-1.8) and general complications (OR 1.7, 95%CI: 1.5-2.0). Both CS and PAN had higher odds of wound (OR 2.2, 95%, CI: 1.5-3.2), general (OR 2.5, 95%, CI: 1.8-3.4), and major complications (OR 2.2, 95%CI: 1.4-3.4), and two days longer length of stay. In conclusion, patients undergoing OVHR that require CS or PAN have a higher independent risk of complications, which increases when the procedures are combined.

The choice of general (GA) versus local anesthesia (LA) in open inguinal hernia repair (OIHR) has a substantial financial impact and may influence clinical outcomes. Our study compares postoperative quality of life (QOL) in patients undergoing OIHR under LA versus GA. A cooperative prospective study from centers in 10 countries was performed through the International Hernia Mesh Registry from 2007 to 2012. QOL was compared at one, six, 12, and 24 months for LA versus GA with univariate and multivariate analysis controlling for known confounding variables. Of 1128 patients who underwent OIHR, 585(52%) used GA and 533(48%) used LA. Most were male (92%) with unilateral (94%), primary (91%) repairs with a mean age 57 ± 16 years. There was no difference (P > 0.05) in age, gender, operative time, mesh size, length of stay, infection, recurrence, reoperation, or death. Multivariate analysis demonstrated significant QOL differences between groups: GA had higher odds of discomfort at one and six months [odds ratio (OR) 3.3, 2.0], movement limitation at one and six months (OR 3.5, 2.8), and mesh sensation at one and 12 months (OR 2.9, 1.8). Overall, patients undergoing OIHR under LA had improved postoperative QOL in the short and long term compared with GA.

Suprapubic hernias, parailiac or flank hernias, and lumbar hernias are difficult to repair and are associated with high-recurrence rates owing to difficulty in obtaining substantive overlap and especially mesh fixation due to bone being a margin of the hernia. Orthopedic suture anchors used for ligament reconstruction have been used to attach prosthetic material to bony surfaces and can be used in the repair of these hernias where suture fixation was impossible. A prospective, single institution study of ventral hernia repairs involving bone anchor mesh fixation was performed. Demographics, operative details, and outcomes data were collected. Twenty patients were identified, with a mean age 53 (range: 35-70 years) and mean body mass index 28.4 kg/m(2) (range 21-38). Ten lumbar, seven suprapubic, and three parailiac hernias were studied. The majority were recurrent hernias (n = 13), with one to seven previously failed repairs. The mean hernia defect size was very large (270 cm(2); range: 56-832 cm(2)) with average mesh size of 1090 cm(2) (range 224-3640 cm(2)). Both Mitek GII (Depuy, Raynham, MA) and JuggerKnot 2.9-mm (Biomet, Biomedical Instruments, Warsaw, IN) anchors were used, with an average of four anchors/case (range: 1-16). Mean operative time was 218 minutes (120-495). There were three minor complications, no operative mortality, and no recurrences during an average follow-up of 24 months. Pelvic bone anchors permit mesh fixation in high-recurrence areas not amenable to traditional suture fixation. The ability to safely and effectively use bone anchor fixation is an essential tool in complex open ventral hernia repair.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) may represent a superior alternative to reoperative fundoplication in patients with symptomatic failure. Our goal was to assess early outcomes of patients after RYGB for failed fundoplication. Records of patients who underwent fundoplication takedown and RYGB from March 2007 to June 2013 were reviewed for demographics, comorbidities, operative findings, and perioperative outcomes. Data are reported as medians (range). Forty-five patients who had undergone 64 prior antireflux procedures (range, one to three fundoplications) were identified. Median patient age was 56 years (range, 25 to 72 years) with a body mass index of 33 kg/m(2) (range, 22 to 51 kg/m(2)). Most patients had comorbidities: hypertension (60%), anxiety/depression (44.4%), dyslipidemia (33.3%), asthma (31%), obstructive sleep apnea (26.7%), arthritis (22.2%), and diabetes (11.1%). Median symptom-free interval was 3 years (range, 0 to 25 years). All patients had an anatomic reason for failure: 83 per cent had a hiatal hernia and 35 per cent had a slipped Nissen fundoplication. The procedures were accomplished laparoscopically in 28, robotically in 13, and open in four cases. Median operative time was 367 minutes (range, 190 to 600 minutes) and estimated blood loss averaged 100 mL (range, 25 to 500 mL). Five patients (11%) required reoperation: one for an anastomotic leak, one for anastomotic obstruction, and three for early obstruction resulting from adhesions. Two patients developed respiratory failure requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation. Length of stay averaged four days (range, 1 to 33 days) with two readmissions: one for melena and one for vomiting and dehydration; neither required intervention. There was no mortality. At 11 months of follow-up (range, 2.3 to 54 months), 93.3 per cent of patients were symptom-free. When primary fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease fails, fundoplication takedown and RYGB can be accomplished safely with minimally invasive techniques. The conversion to a RYGB has an acceptable perioperative morbidity and excellent early symptom control, and, therefore, should be considered for reoperative patients gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Generating over four billion pounds of waste each year, the healthcare system in the United States is the second largest contributor of trash with one-third produced by operating rooms. Our objective is to assess improvement in waste reduction and recycling after implementation of a Green Operating Room Committee (GORC) at our institution. A surgeon and nurse-initiated GORC was formed with members from corporate leadership, nursing, anesthesia, and OR staff. Initiatives for recycling opportunities, reduction of energy and water use as well as solid waste were implemented and the results were recorded. Since formation of GORC in 2008, our OR has diverted 6.5 tons of medical waste. An effort to recycle all single-use devices was implemented with annual solid waste reduction of approximately 12,860 lbs. Disposable OR foam padding was replaced with reusable gel pads at greater than $50,000 per year savings. Over 500 lbs of previously discarded batteries were salvaged from the OR and donated to charity or redistributed in the hospital ($9,000 annual savings). A "Power Down" initiative to turn off all anesthesia and OR lights and equipment not in use resulted in saving $33,000 and 234.3 metric tons of CO2 emissions reduced per year. Converting from soap to alcohol-based waterless scrub demonstrated a potential saving of 2.7 million liters of water annually. Formation of an OR committee dedicated to ecological initiatives can provide a significant opportunity to improve health care's impact on the environment and save money.