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Purpose: Emergency abdominal wall hernia repairs play a significant role in general surgical emergencies. In such cases, the time taken to decide on surgery is crucial, as the situation may progress to necrosis, perforation, and organ resection due to strangulation following incarceration. To facilitate the early detection of this condition, studies have been conducted on various predictive markers, most of which are related to similar markers used in acute mesenteric ischemia. This study aims to assess the predictive significance of preoperative laboratory and imaging findings in incarcerated abdominal wall hernia with strangulation., Methods: Retrospectively, 122 patients who underwent emergency surgery for incarcerated abdominal wall hernias with a preoperative diagnosis between January 1, 2018, and September 1, 2023, at the General Surgery Clinic of Samsun University Education and Research Hospital were included in the study. According to the examination of the operation notes, Group I was designated for patients who underwent bowel resection, Group II for those who underwent omental resection, and Group III for those without resection. The study investigated the association between patients 'age, gender, hernia type and side, preoperative laboratory parameters (pH, Base Excess (BE), Lactate, White Blood Cell Count (WBC), Neutrophil (N), Lymphocyte (L), Monocyte (M), Platelet (P), C-Reactive Protein (CRP), and pH/BE, pH/Lactate, Lactate/BE, N/L, N/M, L/M, N/CRP, M/P, P/CRP ratios), physical examination (PE), and imaging findings among the resection groups., Results: Out of the 122 patients operated with a preliminary diagnosis of acute incarcerated abdominal wall hernia, 68 were female, 34 were male, and the median age was found to be 67.16 (30-99). In the conducted statistical analysis, mean values of Lactate (p = 0.007), WBC (White Blood Cell) (p = 0.001), Neutrophil (p < 0.001), and NLR (Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio) (p = 0.003) were significantly different based on resection groups. Subsequent pairwise comparisons indicated that these differences were attributed to variations in mean values of Lactate, WBC, Neutrophil, and NLR between the Bowel Resection and Resectionless groups. Mean values of Monocytes were also significantly different among resection groups (p = 0.049), and pairwise comparisons revealed that this difference was due to variations in mean values of Monocytes between the Omental Resection and Resectionless groups. The cut-off values were determined as follows in the ROC analysis: 1.2 mmol/L for Lactate, 18.5 (10^9/L) for WBC, 8.1 (10^9/L) for Neutrophil and 10 mg/L for CRP concerning bowel resection., Conclusion: In cases of abdominal wall hernia operations due to incarceration, bowel and/or intra-abdominal organ resections related to strangulation can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Beyond the imaging methods available for preoperative assessment, high levels of laboratory parameters, including Lactate, WBC, Neutrophil, and NLR ratio, may primarily indicate the need for bowel resection, considering that omental resection is associated with lower morbidity and mortality compared to bowel resection, elevated levels of monocytes may primarily indicate the requirement for omental resection in emergency abdominal wall hernia surgery. We recommend that this be prioritized in emergency surgery to prevent complications such as bowel perforation and sepsis and improve clinical outcomes. The surgeon is advised to keep this in mind., Competing Interests: Declarations. Conflict of interest: All the authors declare to have no conflict of interest., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany.)

A woman in her 90s presented to the emergency department with new onset pain in a long standing right spigelian hernia. She was febrile and mildly hypotensive. CT scan demonstrated a hernia containing small and large bowel with significant fat stranding and thus proceeded to operative management via an open appendicectomy and suture repair of the hernia. There are few similar cases in the literature, with the predominance being suture repair, a roughly even split between open and laparoscopic approaches., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2024. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

The purpose of the work is to analyze the results of the use of optimized diagnostic and therapeutic tactics in patients with strangulated abdominal hernias without resection of the hollow organ. Materials and methods : The work is based on the analysis of the results of surgical treatment of 665 patients with strangulated abdominal hernias without resection of the hollow organ, who were divided into 2 groups depending on the features of the diagnostic and treatment tactics. Unlike the patients of group 1, the following diagnostic tactics were used in group 2: substantiated laparoscopic diagnosis of abdominal organs; mandatory biochemical assessment of hernia water; mandatory intraoperative instrumental assessment of the state of the strangulated organ; expansion of indications for the use of laparoscopic interventions and components of the comprehensive Fast track program; substantiated complex prevention of malignancy. The clinical diagnostic algorithm included laboratory, instrumental and biochemical research methods. Results : The use of priority diagnostic and therapeutic tactics in the patients of group 2 allowed to increase the number of laparoscopic hernioplasty by 49.34%, the number of allohernioplasty by 18.62%, among which the "Sublay" technique was preferred for strangulated ventral hernias. This was accompanied by a decrease in the pain syndrome on the VAS scale during the four days of observation, both during coughing and at rest, and amounted to only 2.21 ± 0.29 points on the fourth day when at rest. In addition, and after 12 months, the patients of group 2 observed a better recovery according to the SF-36 questionnaire, which amounted to 76.77±6.63 points for the assessment of the general state of health, 70.81±5.86 points for the assessment of physical functioning, 68.88±5.37 points for the assessment of role functioning due to physical condition, 68.03±5.92 points for the assessment of role functioning due to emotional state, and social activity was characterized by 72.82±5.52 points. Conclusions: 1. The proposed diagnostic and treatment tactics in the patients of group 2 with strangulated abdominal hernias without resection of a hollow organ, in contrast to patients in group 1, made it possible to increase the number of laparoscopic operations to 227 (66.37%) in contrast to 55 (17.03%) in the first group, which was accompanied by a decrease in pain syndrome on the VAS scale on the fourth day when coughing from 4.35 ± 0.38 points to 2.97 ± 0.43 points. 2. The expansion of indications for the use of laparoscopic operations in patients of group 2, in contrast to patients of group 1, led to a decrease in the postoperative complications by 10.48% and the postoperative mortality by 2.29% and was characterized by better postoperative rehabilitation according to the assessment of the patients' condition after 12 months according to the SF-36 questionnaire.., (© 2024 Boris Ivanovich Slonetskyi et al., published by Sciendo.)

Purpose: Hernia recurrence is a primary metric in evaluating the success of ventral hernia repair (VHR). Current screening methods for hernia recurrence, including the validated Ventral Hernia Screening (VHS) questionnaire, have not yet been critically evaluated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of the VHS for hernia recurrence., Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of adult patients who underwent primary VHR utilizing poly-4-hydroxybutyrate mesh at a single-institution from January 2016 to December 2021 who completed at least one VHS during their postoperative follow-up. All patients who screened positive underwent follow-up diagnostic computed tomography or physical examination for confirmation of hernia recurrence. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were assessed for each item and the VHS as a whole., Results: A total of 68 patients who completed 119 VHS questionnaires were included. The median time to VHS administration was 3.6 years (range .8-6.3 years). The VHS tool had a sensitivity of 40.0%, specificity of 71.1%, PPV of 5.7%, and NPV of 96.4%. Individual items of the VHS also produced poor screening effects, with sensitivities between 20 and 40%, specificities between 79 and 97%, PPVs between 4 and 25%, and NPVs from 95 to 97%., Conclusion: The VHS was a poor positive predictive tool for hernia recurrence, with both a low PPV and sensitivity. Many patients may be unaware of when they truly have hernia recurrence in the long term. More rigorous tools need to be developed to monitor recurrence following VHR., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: JPF is a paid consultant for BD which produces Phasix mesh. AAT, JRM, ST, RBB, and BTH all declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Introduction: Abdominal wall hernias encompass both ventral and incisional hernias, often poorly classified regarding complexity in general. This study aims to conduct a review on the primary topics related to defining the complexity of ventral hernias., Methods: this is a scope review conducted following the guidelines recommended by the PRISMA-ScR directive. Searches were carried out in electronic databases including PubMed, LILACS, and EMBASE, using the descriptors: Abdominal Hernia, Hernia, Ventral Hernia, Incisional Hernia, Complex, Classification, Classify, Grade, Scale, and Definition. Combinations of these terms were employed when appropriate. Inclusion criteria encompassed articles with definitions and classifications of complex hernias, as well as those utilizing these classifications to guide treatments and patient allocation. Synonyms and related topics were also considered. Articles outside the scope or lacking the themes in their title or abstract were excluded. The database search was conducted up to July 29, 2023., Results: several hernia classifications were identified as useful in predicting complexity. For this study, we considered six main criteria: size and location, loss of domain, use of abdominal wall relaxation techniques, characteristics of imaging exams, status of the subcutaneous cellular tissue, and likelihood of recurrence., Conclusion: complex abdominal wall hernias can be defined by characteristics analyzed collectively, relating to the patients previous clinical status, size and location of the hernia defect, status of subcutaneous cellular tissue, myofascial release techniques, and other complicating factors.

A Spigelian hernia is a hernia through the Spigelian fascia which are difficult to diagnose as they do not present with a subcutaneous swelling and can be dangerous as there is a high risk of incarceration. We report a case of a 51-year-old female who presented to our surgical unit with epigastric pain for 5 days. She was diagnosed with Spigelian hernia with esophagitis and antral gastritis with the help of a computed tomography scan and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The diagnosis was confirmed on diagnostic laparoscopy and transabdominal preperitoneal repair of the defect was performed using prolene mesh. Her post-operative period was uneventful. Spigelian hernias are rare and patients can present with atypical symptoms as in this case. Thus, imaging plays a vital role in diagnosis. Management is surgical and has good outcomes., Keywords: case reports; rectus abdominis; ventral hernia.

Introduction: Spigelian hernia is a rare type of abdominal wall hernias which are often diagnosed when incarcerated. These hernias typically develop at the crossing point of the arcuate line and lateral portion of rectus abdominis muscle., Case Report: We present the case of a 44-year-old female patient admitted to our surgery unit for a painful lump in her right mesogastrium. Incarcerated atypical hernia in the right mesogastrium was suspected based on completed imaging assessments. Spigelian hernia was confirmed by preoperative findings. Interestingly, the patient applied interferon (multiple sclerosis therapy) at the site of the lump, which is why the diagnosis of lipodystrophy had been considered., Conclusion: In general, the diagnosis of Spigelian hernia is difficult. From the anatomical point of view the clinical finding is not always specific. The risk of incarceration is relatively high, and thus even clinically silent findings are indicated for surgery.

Objective: To evaluate clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness of vTAPP for small/M3W1 hernias compared to IPOM., Material and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed a prospectively recruited group of patients. Study objects were patients undergoing ventral laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair (vTAPP) for primary Midline/Lateral Small hernias up to 2 cm. The control group comprised patients after IPOM procedure., Results: We analyzed 179 patients: vTAPP ( n =132) and IPOM groups ( n =47). The vTAPP group was characterized by significantly shorter hospitals-stay (Q1-Q3: 8-70 hours, p <0.001), fewer relapses ( n =2, p =0.047) and slightly longer surgery (Q1-Q3: 40-80 min, p =0.037). Cost-effectiveness analysis revealed 3.39 times more profitable vTAPP compared to IPOM., Conclusion: Laparoscopic preperitoneal hernia repair is a safe and effective method not requiring special tools and consumables. This approach is applicable as an outpatient (or <24h hospital-stay) method.

Background: We evaluated the impact of socioeconomic status on presentation, management, and outcomes of ventral hernias., Methods: The Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative was queried for adult patients undergoing ventral hernia repair. Socioeconomic quintiles were assigned using the Distressed Community Index (DCI): prosperous (0-20), comfortable (21-40), mid-tier (41-60), at-risk (61-80), and distressed (81-100). Outcomes included presenting symptoms, urgency, operative details, 30-day outcomes, and one-year hernia recurrence rates. Multivariable regression evaluated 30-day wound complications., Results: 39,494 subjects were identified; 32,471 had zip codes (82.2%).Urgent presentation (3.6% vs. 2.3%) and contaminated cases (0.83% vs. 2.06%) were more common in the distressed group compared to the prosperous group (p < 0.001). Higher DCI correlated with readmission (distressed: 4.7% vs prosperous: 2.9%,p < 0.001) and reoperation (distressed 1.8% vs prosperous: 0.92%,p < 0.001). Wound complications were independently associated with increasing DCI (p < 0.05). Clinical recurrence rates were similar at one-year (distressed: 10.4% vs prosperous: 8.6%, p = 0.54)., Conclusions: Inequity exists in presentation and perioperative outcomes for ventral hernia repair and efforts should be focused on increasing access to elective surgery and improving postoperative wound care., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest All authors have read and approved the manuscript. This manuscript is not under consideration elsewhere. This research was not funded. The authors have the following unrelated disclosures to report:, (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Traumatic abdominal wall hernias (TAWH) are relatively uncommon; however, the shearing force that results in fascial disruption could indicate an increased risk of visceral injury. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether the presence of a TAWH was associated with intra-abdominal injury requiring emergent laparotomy., Methods: The trauma registry was queried over an 8-year period (7/2012-7/2020) for adult patients with blunt thoracoabdominal trauma diagnosed with a TAWH. Those patients who were identified with a TAWH and greater than 15 years of age were included in the study. Demographics, mechanism of injury, ISS, BMI, length of stay, TAWH size, type of TAWH repair, and outcomes were analyzed., Results: Overall, 38,749 trauma patients were admitted over the study period, of which 64 (.17%) had a TAWH. Patients were commonly male (n = 42, 65.6%); the median age was 39 years (range 16-79 years) and a mean ISS of 21. Twenty-eight percent had a clinical seatbelt sign. Twenty-seven (42.2%) went emergently to the operating room, the majority for perforated viscus requiring bowel resection (n = 16, 25.0%), and 6 patients (9.4%) who were initially managed nonoperatively underwent delayed laparotomy. Average ventilator days was 14 days, with a mean ICU LOS of 14 days and mean hospital LOS of 18 days. About half of the hernias were repaired at the index operation, 6 of which were repaired primarily and 10 with mesh., Conclusion: The presence of a TAWH alone was an indication for immediate laparotomy to evaluate for intra-abdominal injury. In the absence of other indications for exploration, nonoperative management may be safe., 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.

Spigelian hernia is a rare form of abdominal wall defect. Bilateral Spigelian hernias are even less common. Surgical repair of Spigelian hernias is recommended due to their high risk of incarceration and strangulation of abdominal contents. A variety of surgical approaches to repair these hernias have been described in the literature including the traditional open approach, laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal approach, laparoscopic intraperitoneal repair and laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal repair. Here, we present the case of an elderly female patient with rare bilateral Spigelian hernias, the right side containing incarcerated appendix and caecal pole. The left hernia was unrecognised on preoperative CT imaging. To our knowledge, very few cases have been reported in the literature. The patient underwent bilateral laparoscopic intraperitoneal mesh repair. All technical aspects of the treatment are discussed here, in the context of the current literature, including the surgical technique and the limitations of the CT diagnosis. We aim to summarise the background of these uncommon hernias, the limitations of preoperative investigations and the differences between the available operative approaches., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2023. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Purpose: Short-term results have been reported regarding parastomal hernia (PH) prevention with a permanent mesh. Long-term results are scarce. The objective was to assess the long-term PH occurrence after a prophylactic synthetic non-absorbable mesh., Methods: Long-term data of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were collected. The primary outcome was the detection of PH based exclusively on a radiological diagnosis by computed tomography (CT) performed during the long-term follow-up. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for the comparison of time to diagnosis of PH according to the presence of mesh vs. no-mesh and the technique of mesh insertion: open retromuscular, laparoscopic keyhole, and laparoscopic modified Sugarbaker., Results: We studied 121 patients (87 men, median age 70 years), 82 (67.8%) of which developed a PH. The median overall length of follow-up was 48.5 months [interquartile range (IQR) 14.4-104.9], with a median time until PH diagnosis of 17.7 months (IQR 9.3-49.0). The survival analysis did not show significant differences in the time to development of a PH according to the presence or absence of a prophylactic mesh neither in the overall study population (log-rank, P = 0.094) nor in the groups of each technique of mesh insertion, although according to the surgical technique, a higher reduction in the appearance of PH for the open retromuscular technique was found (log-rank, P = 0.001)., Conclusion: In the long-term follow-up placement of a non-absorbable synthetic prophylactic mesh in the context of an elective end colostomy does not seem effective for preventing PH., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: Parastomal hernias are common and negatively affect patient's lives. We hypothesized that physical activity (or lack thereof) might be associated with the presence of parastomal hernia. If so, this might be an actionable target for prevention., Objective: The objective was to determine rates of and risk factors for parastomal hernias in patients with a permanent ostomy., Design: This was a retrospective cohort and survey study. Postal survey included questions about parastomal hernia, symptoms, lifestyle, and validated instruments to measure stoma quality of life and physical activity. Medical record abstraction was conducted for clinical comorbidities., Settings: This study was conducted in a single large academic medical center., Patients: Patients who underwent operations that included a permanent urostomy, colostomy, and/or ileostomy between 2014 and 2018 were included., Main Outcome Measures: Parastomal hernia (self-reported) and physical activity, measured in total metabolic equivalent-minutes/week, were our main outcome measures., Results: A total of 443 of 724 patients responded (response rate, 61.2%). Two hundred twelve patients (47.9%) had urostomies, 160 (36.1%) had colostomies, and 99 (22.3%) had ileostomies. One hundred twenty-eight patients (29.7%) had a parastomal hernia, with rates of 27.1% for urostomy, 40.0% for colostomy, and 23.7% for ileostomy. There was a statistically significant association between less exercise and higher incidence of parastomal hernia (median, 579 metabolic equivalent-minutes/week for those with parastomal hernias vs 1689 metabolic equivalent-minutes/week for those without; p = 0.001)., Limitations: The association between physical activity and parastomal hernia may be confounded by obesity or the possibility that patients with parastomal hernia may be limited physically by their hernia., Conclusions: Parastomal hernia rates remain high in modern surgical practice. This study shows an association between patients' physical activity and the presence of a parastomal hernia, with a higher rate among patients who exercise less. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B910 ., Tasas De Hernia Paraestomal Y Ejercicio Despus De La Ciruga De Ostoma: ANTECEDENTES:Las hernias paraostomales son complicaciones comunes después de la cirugía de ostomía y afectan la calidad de vida de los pacientes. Nuestra hipótesis es que la actividad física de los pacientes (o la falta de ella) podría estar asociada con la presencia de hernia paraostomal. Si es así, este podría ser un objetivo utilizable para la prevención.OBJETIVO:Determinar las tasas y los factores de riesgo de las hernias paraostomales en pacientes que se sometieron a una cirugía que resultó en una ostomía permanente.DISEÑO:Estudio retrospectivo de cohorte y encuesta. La encuesta postal incluyó preguntas sobre hernia paraostomal, síntomas, estilo de vida e instrumentos validados para medir la calidad de vida del paciente ostomizado y la actividad física. Se realizó la confección de gráficos para las comorbilidades clínicas.ESCENARIO:Centro médico académico de gran tamañoPACIENTES:Pacientes que se sometieron a operaciones que incluyeron una urostomía permanente, colostomía y/o ileostomía entre 2014 y 2018.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO:La hernia paraostomal (autoinformada) y la actividad física, medidas en equivalente metabólico de actividad total-minutos/semana, fueron nuestras principales medidas de resultado. También se evaluó la calidad de vida.RESULTADOS:Un total de 443 de 724 pacientes respondieron a la encuesta (tasa de respuesta 61,2%). 212 pacientes (47,9%) tenían urostomías, 160 (36,1%) colostomías y 99 (22,3%) ileostomías. 128 pacientes (29,7%) tenían hernia paraostomal, con tasas de 27,1% para urostomía, 40,0% para colostomía y 23,7% para ileostomía. Hubo una asociación estadísticamente significativa entre menos ejercicio y una mayor incidencia de hernia paraostomal (mediana: 579 equivalentes metabólicos - minutos/semana para aquellos con hernias paraostomales versus 1689 para aquellos sin hernias; p = 0,001).LIMITACIONES:La asociación entre la actividad física y la hernia paraostomal puede confundirse con la obesidad o con el hecho de que los pacientes con hernia paraostomal pueden tener menos actividad física debido a su hernia.CONCLUSIONES:Las tasas de hernia paraostomal siguen siendo altas en la práctica quirúrgica moderna y las hernias se asocian con una peor calidad de vida. Este estudio muestra una asociación entre la actividad física de los pacientes y la presencia de una hernia paraostomal, con una tasa más alta entre los pacientes que hacen menos ejercicio. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B910 . (Traducción-Dr. Felipe Bellolio )., (Copyright © The ASCRS 2022.)

Objective: To examine the preliminary effect of laparoscopic extraperitoneal colostomy anterior to posterior sheath of rectus abdominis-transversus abdominis for the prevention of parastomal hernia after abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer. Methods: This study is a prospective case series study. From June 2021 to June 2022, patients with low rectal cancer underwent laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection combined with extraperitoneal colostomy anterior to posterior sheath of rectus abdominis-transversus abdominis at the First Department of General Surgery, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital were enrolled. The clinical data and postoperative CT images of patients were collected to analyze the incidence of surgical complication and parastomal hernia. Results: Totally 6 cases of patient were enrolled, including 3 males and 3 females, aging 72.5 (19.5) years ( M (IQR)) (range: 55 to 79 years). The operation time was 250 (48) minutes (range: 190 to 275 minutes), the stoma operation time was 27.5 (10.7) minutes (range: 21 to 37 minutes), the bleeding volume was 30 (35) ml (range: 15 to 80 ml). All patients were cured and discharged without surgery-related complications. The follow-up time was 136 (105) days (range: 98 to 279 days). After physical examination and abdominal CT follow-up, no parastomal hernia occurred in the 6 patients up to this article. Conclusions: A method of laparoscopic extraperitoneal colostomy anterior to posterior sheath of rectus abdominis-transversus abdominis is established. Permanent stoma can be completed with this method safely. It may have a preventive effect on the occurrence of parastomal hernia, which is worthy of further study.

Background: Pediatric traumatic abdominal wall hernias are rare but potentially devastating injuries. Although classically considered to be caused by handlebar injuries from bicycle accidents, our anecdotal experience suggests pediatric traumatic abdominal wall hernias are far more likely to occur following road traffic accidents and have a high association with other significant intra-abdominal injuries., Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency, mechanisms of injury, and associated injuries of traumatic abdominal wall hernias in the pediatric population., Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective observational cohort study from two large urban level 1 trauma centers. Institutional trauma registries were queried from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2020, for patients under 18 years of age diagnosed with traumatic abdominal wall hernias, excluding those without initial abdominopelvic CT imaging. Finalized CT reports and images were reviewed to confirm the presence of a traumatic abdominal wall hernia and document any associated secondary injuries. The medical record was reviewed to extract pertinent physical findings, interventions performed, and outcomes. Injury Severity Score (ISS) for each patient was calculated by the trauma registrar., Results: A total of 19 patients with TAWH met inclusion criteria, with an overall frequency of 0.095% and a mean age of 10.6 years (range 3-17). Eleven patients were male (57.9%) with a mean ISS of 18.6 (range 1-48, including 63.2% with ISS > 15). The most common mechanism of injury was motor vehicle collision (N = 11, 57.9%) followed by bicycle accident (N = 3, 15.8%). A total of 17 (89.5%) had associated injuries, including 11 (57.9%) with intestinal injuries, 5 (26.3%) with pelvic fractures, 4 (21.1%) with femur fractures, 3 (15.8%) with splenic injuries, 3 (15.8%) with kidney injuries, and 3 (15.8%) with Chance fractures of the lumbar spine. All patients required surgery for the traumatic abdominal wall hernias and associated injuries., Conclusion: Pediatric traumatic abdominal wall hernias are more likely to be seen following motor vehicle collisions, with a majority (89.5%) having associated injuries, most frequently to the bowel (57.9%). Handlebar injuries were seen in a minority of patients (15.8%) and were less likely to be associated with additional injuries., Clinical Impact: Pediatric patients with a traumatic abdominal wall hernia on admission CT should be thoroughly evaluated for bowel injuries, especially in the setting of a motor vehicle collision., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to American Society of Emergency Radiology (ASER).)

Objective: To evaluate potential predictors of 1-month postoperative complications after primary ventral hernia repair using database of the 1 st Clinic of the Samarkand State Medical University., Material and Methods: A cohort study included 348 patients who underwent ventral hernia surgery in the 1 st Clinic of the Samarkand State Medical University between January 1, 2014 and January 1, 2021. We performed logistic regression analysis to identify risk factors of postoperative complications., Results: More than one complication within 1-month after surgery developed in 87 (25%) patients. Those factors associated with complications in univariate analysis ( p <0.05) and clinically important factors were included in multivariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, age, body mass index, hypertension, hernia size, hospital-stay and surgery time were independent risk factors., Conclusion: Age, BMI, hypertension, anamnesis and size of hernia, as well as surgery time correlated with postoperative complications. Therefore, these factors should be used in preoperative risk assessment.

The review is devoted to the treatment of ventral hernias in patients with morbid obesity. This issue is important due to significant number of such patients and no unambiguous clinical recommendations. The advantages of simultaneous surgery (with bariatric intervention) are obvious, i.e. lower risk of postoperative hernia incarceration and no need for re-hospitalization with another intervention. High risk of bariatric population makes it necessary to minimize surgery time and surgical trauma. A staged approach with reducing body weight surgically or conservatively before hernia repair is often chosen. Hernia repair should be performed using laparoscopic or robotic techniques with obligatory use of mesh implants. Panniculectomy or abdominoplasty as the main surgery is a valid option. Currently, it is necessary to develop clear criteria for selecting patients with morbid obesity for staged and simultaneous treatment of ventral hernias.

Background: The incidence of occult inguinal or Spigelian hernias found in other laparoscopies is seldom studied and their development to symptomatic hernias is unknown., Materials and Methods: The orifices of all inguinal and Spigelian hernias at linea semilunaris were carefully recorded prospectively in the laparoscopic surgery during the years 2003-2004 (104 cholecystectomies, 55 fundoplications, 36 diagnostic, and 6 miscellaneous). The patients were followed up over 15 years to find out how often the detected occult hernias at index laparoscopy become later symptomatic and were repaired., Results: The index laparoscopic operation was performed to 201 patients with a mean age of 53±14 years. The overall frequency of unexpected hernias was 21% including 36 (18%) inguinal hernias, 5 (2.5%) Spigelian hernias, and 2 (1.0%) ventral hernias. At the index laparoscopy, only 5/201 inguinal and 2 Spigelian hernioplasties were concomitantly undertaken. After 15 years, data of 169 patients were available and new hernia repairs were performed only in 8 (4.7%) patients (2 inguinal, 4 umbilical, and 2 ventral hernias)., Conclusions: Asymptomatic occult hernias detected during laparoscopic surgery of other reason evolve very seldom (<5%) to symptomatic and need to be repaired., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Blunt abdominal trauma due to bicycle accident is a common occurrence in the pediatric population; however, traumatic abdominal wall hernia as the result of blunt trauma is a rare presentation. Abdominal wall injuries can be isolated or associated with multiple intra-abdominal pathologies. A high index of suspicion is essential for prompt intervention, especially when there is concurrent intra-abdominal pathology. We present a case of a traumatic spigelian hernia in a pediatric patient following a handlebar injury with the intraoperative discovery of a bucket-handle type mesenteric injury to the jejunum.

Background: Recurrent hernias pose significant challenges due to violated anatomic planes, resultant scar, and potential prior mesh. Transversus abdominis release has been widely utilized for complex hernias. Transversus abdominis release can provide a novel plane for dissection and mesh placement for recurrent hernias. This study provides our institution's experience with transversus abdominis release in patients with recurrent ventral hernias., Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients with recurrent ventral hernias from January 2018 to September 2020 who underwent transversus abdominis release by 2 fellowship-trained abdominal wall surgeons. Combined procedures (ie, gynecological/urological), robotic totally extraperitoneal, and emergency cases were excluded. Demographics, perioperative, and postoperative outcomes were reviewed., Results: In total, 108 patients underwent open-transversus abdominis release and 25 had robotic-transversus abdominis release for recurrent ventral hernias. All patients received a lightweight to midweight nonabsorbable polypropylene synthetic mesh. Mean age was 59, mean body mass index was 34 kg/m 2 , with mean hernia defect area of 333 cm 2 . We noted 34 (25.6%) surgical site occurrences and 11 (8.3%) surgical site infections. Mean postoperative follow-up was 15.5 months, with 7 (5%) recurrences (6 open-transversus abdominis release, 1 robotic-transversus abdominis release). A minimum 12-month follow-up was available for 62% of patients, and minimum 6-month follow-up in 80% of patients., Conclusion: Recurrent hernias pose significant operative challenges for surgeons due to violated tissue planes and limited repair options. Our experience suggests that transversus abdominis release may provide a durable repair for difficult recurrent ventral hernias. However, long-term postoperative follow-up over multiple years is still needed to establish extended durability of transversus abdominis release in these patients., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To determine the optimal surgical treatment in patients with enterocutaneous fistulas combined with ventral incisional hernia., Material and Methods: There were 24 patients with enterocutaneous fistulas combined with ventral incisional hernia. Enterocutaneous fistula was noted in 19 cases, enteroatmospheric fistula - in 5 patients., Results: Simultaneous fistula closure and abdominal wall repair were performed in 14 patients (mesh repair in 5 cases and local approximation of tissues in 9 cases). Postoperative complications occurred in 8 patients, hernia recurrence in long-term period developed in 7 people. Two-stage closure of abdominal wall defect was carried out in 10 patients. Fistula closure was followed by edge-to-edge anterior abdominal wall repair in 5 cases, skin edges were approximated by interrupted sutures or open wound management was performed. There were no postoperative complications and hernia recurrence in this group., Conclusion: Surgical treatment of patients with enterocutaneous fistulas combined with hernia should be performed in two stages, i.e. enterocutaneous fistula closure with subsequent hernia repair.

There is no generally accepted incisional hernia classification. To categorize incisional hernias, the European Hernia Society (EHS) proposed their classification based on the measurement of three parameters - location, dimension of hernia gate and recurrence. Unfortunately, this classification does not consider the «loss of the domain» of 20% or more, local complications including trophic ulcer or fistula of anterior abdominal wall. Moreover, implantation of mesh after previous hernia repair, obesity and other clinical factors are also not considered. Thus, surgeons have recently allocated patients with complex incisional hernia in a separate group. There is no clear definition of this term. There are no clinical guidelines on the management of patients with these hernias, and the choice of optimal surgical treatment remains individual. The authors present a patient with complex incisional hernia. Surgical strategy is described.

Purpose: Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are pivotal to evaluate the efficacy of surgical management. Debate persists on the optimal surgical technique to repair incisional hernias. Assessment of PROs can guide the selection of the best management of patients with incisional hernias. The objective of this cohort study was to present the PROs after incisional hernia repair at long term follow-up., Methods: Patients with a history of incisional hernia repair were seen at the out-patient clinic to collect PROs. Patients were asked about the preoperative indication for repair and postoperative symptoms, such as pain, feelings of discomfort, and bulging of the abdominal wall. Additionally, degree of satisfaction was asked and Carolina Comfort Scales were completed., Results: Two hundred and ten patients after incisional hernia repair were included with a median follow-up of 3.2 years. The main indication for incisional hernia repair was the presence of a bulge (60%). Other main reasons for repair were pain (19%) or discomfort (5%). One hundred and thirty-two patients (63%) reported that the overall status of their abdominal wall had improved after the operation. Postoperative symptoms were reported by 133 patients (63%), such as feelings of discomfort, pain and bulging. Twenty percent of patients reported that the overall status of their abdominal wall was the same, and 17% reported a worse status, compared to before the operation. Ten percent of the patients would not opt for operation in hindsight., Conclusion: This study showed that a majority of the patients after incisional hernia repair still report pain or symptoms such as feelings of discomfort, pain, and bulging of the abdominal wall 3 years after surgery. Embedding patients' expectations and PROs in the preoperative counseling discussion is needed to improve decision-making in incisional hernia surgery., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Background: The definition, classification and management of rectus diastasis (RD) are controversial in the literature and a variety of different surgical treatments have been described. This article reports on the European Hernia Society (EHS) Clinical Practice Guideline for RD., Method: The Guideline group consisted of eight surgeons. The Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach and the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) instrument were used. A systematic literature search was done in November 2018 and updated in November 2019 and October 2020. Nine Key Questions (KQs) were formulated., Results: Literature reporting on the definition, classification, symptoms, outcomes and treatments was limited in quality, leading to weak recommendations for the majority of the KQs. The main recommendation is to define RD as a separation between rectus muscles wider than 2 cm. A new classification system is suggested based on the width of muscle separation, postpregnancy status and whether or not there is a concomitant hernia. Impaired body image and core instability appear to be the most relevant symptoms. Physiotherapy may be considered before surgical management. It is suggested to use linea alba plication in patients without concomitant hernia and a mesh-based repair of RD with concomitant midline hernias., Conclusion: RD should be defined as a separation of rectus muscles wider than 2 cm and a new classification system is suggested., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of BJS Society Ltd.)

Background: Management of subcostal incisional hernias is particularly complicated due to their proximity to the costochondral limits in addition to the lack of aponeurosis on the lateral side of the abdomen. We present our results of posterior component separation through the same previous incision as a safe and reproducible technique for these complex cases., Methods: We present a multicenter and prospective cohort of patients diagnosed with bilateral subcostal incisional hernias on either clinical examination or imaging based on computed tomography from 2014 to 2020. The aim of this investigation was to assess the outcomes of abdominal wall reconstruction for subcostal incisional hernias through a new approach. The outcomes reported were short- and long-term complications, including recurrence, pain, and bulging. Quality of life was assessed with the European Registry for Abdominal Wall Hernias Quality of Life score., Results: A total of 46 patients were identified. All patients underwent posterior component separation. Surgical site occurrences occurred in 10 patients (22%), with only 7 patients (15%) requiring procedural intervention. During a mean follow-up of 18 (range, 6-62), 1 (2%) case of clinical recurrence was registered. In addition, there were 8 (17%) patients with asymptomatic but visible bulging. The European Registry for Abdominal Wall Hernias Quality of Life score showed a statistically significant decrease in the 3 domains (pain, restriction, and cosmetic) of the postoperative compared with the preoperative scores., Conclusion: Posterior component separation technique for the repair of subcostal incisional hernias through the same incision is a safe procedure that avoids injury to the linea alba. It is associated with acceptable morbidity, low recurrence rate, and improvement in patients' reported outcomes., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: During the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, New York instituted a statewide stay-at-home mandate to lower viral transmission. While public health guidelines advised continued provision of timely care for patients, disruption of safety-net health care and public fear have been proposed to be related to indirect deaths because of delays in presentation. We hypothesized that admissions for emergency general surgery (EGS) diagnoses would decrease during the pandemic and that mortality for these patients would increase., Methods: A multicenter observational study comparing EGS admissions from January to May 2020 to 2018 and 2019 across 11 NYC hospitals in the largest public health care system in the United States was performed. Emergency general surgery diagnoses were defined using International Classification Diseases, Tenth Revision, codes and grouped into seven common diagnosis categories: appendicitis, cholecystitis, small/large bowel, peptic ulcer disease, groin hernia, ventral hernia, and necrotizing soft tissue infection. Baseline demographics were compared including age, race/ethnicity, and payor status. Outcomes included coronavirus disease (COVID) status and mortality., Results: A total of 1,376 patients were admitted for EGS diagnoses from January to May 2020, a decrease compared with both 2018 (1,789) and 2019 (1,668) (p < 0.0001). This drop was most notable after the stay-at-home mandate (March 22, 2020; week 12). From March to May 2020, 3.3%, 19.2%, and 6.0% of EGS admissions were incidentally COVID positive, respectively. Mortality increased in March to May 2020 compared with 2019 (2.2% vs. 0.7%); this difference was statistically significant between April 2020 and April 2019 (4.1% vs. 0.9%, p = 0.045)., Conclusion: Supporting our hypothesis, the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and subsequent stay-at-home mandate resulted in decreased EGS admissions between March and May 2020 compared with prior years. During this time, there was also a statistically significant increase in mortality, which peaked at the height of COVID infection rates in our population., Level of Evidence: Epidemiological, level IV., (Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Surgical management of patients with ventral abdominal wall defects, especially complex abdominal wall defects, remains a challenging problem for abdominal wall reconstructive surgeons. Effective surgical treatment requires appropriate preoperative assessment, surgical planning, and correct operative procedure in order to improve postoperative clinical outcomes and minimize complications. Although substantial advances have been made in surgical techniques and prosthetic technologies, there is still insufficient high-level evidence favoring a specific technique. Broad variability in existing practice patterns, including clinical pre-operative evaluation, surgical techniques and surgical procedure selection, are still common., Data Sources: With the purpose of providing a best practice algorithm, a comprehensive search was conducted in Medline and PubMed. Sixty-four surgeons considered as experts on abdominal wall defect repair and reconstruction in China were solicited to develop a Chinese consensus and give recommendations to help surgeons standardize their techniques and improve clinical results., Conclusions: This consensus serves as a starting point to provide recommendations for adult ventral abdominal wall repair and reconstruction in China and may help build opportunities for international cooperation to refine AWR practice., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest All panel experts declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The hernia sac to abdominal cavity volume ratio (VR) on abdominal CT was described previously as a way to predict which hernias would be less likely to achieve fascial closure. The aim of this study was to test the reliability of the previously described cutoff ratio in predicting fascial closure in a cohort of patients with large ventral hernias., Methods: Patients who underwent elective, open incisional hernia repair of 18 cm or larger width at a single center were identified. The primary end point of interest was fascial closure for all patients. Secondary outcomes included operative details and abdominal wall-specific quality-of-life metrics. We used VR as a comparison variable and calculated the test characteristics (ie, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values)., Results: A total of 438 patients were included, of which 337 (77%) had complete fascial closure and 101 (23%) had incomplete fascial closure. The VR cutoff of 25% had a sensitivity of 76% (95% CI, 71% to 80%), specificity of 64% (95% CI, 54% to 74%), positive predictive value of 88% (95% CI, 83% to 91%), and negative predictive value of 45% (95% CI, 36% to 53%). The incomplete fascial closure group had significantly lower quality of life scores at 1 year (83.3 vs 52.5; p = 0.001), 2 years (85 vs 33.3; p = 0.003), and 3 years (86.7 vs 63.3; p = 0.049)., Conclusions: In our study, the VR cutoff of 25% was sensitive for predicting complete fascial closure for patients with ratios below this threshold. Although there is a higher likelihood of incomplete fascial closure when VR is ≥ 25%, this end point cannot be predicted reliably. Additional studies should be done to study this ratio in conjunction with other hernia-related variables to better predict this important surgical end point., (Copyright © 2021 American College of Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: We sought to estimate the prevalence, incidence, and timing of surgery for elective and non-elective hernia repairs., Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study, abstracting data on children < 18 years from the 2005-2014 DoD Military Health System Data Repository, which includes > 3 million dependents of U.S. Armed Services members. Our primary outcome was initial hernia repair (inguinal, umbilical, ventral, or femoral), stratified by elective versus non-elective repair and by age. We calculated prevalence, incidence rate, and time from diagnosis to repair., Results: 19,398 children underwent hernia repair (12,220 inguinal, 5761 umbilical, 1373 ventral, 44 femoral). Prevalence of non-elective repairs ranged from 6% (umbilical) to 22% (ventral). Incidence rates of elective repairs ranged from 0.03 [95% CI: 0.02-0.04] (femoral) to 8.92 [95% CI: 8.76-9.09] (inguinal) per 10,000 person-years, while incidence rates of non-elective repairs ranged from 0.005 [95% CI: 0.002-0.01] (femoral) to 0.68 [95% CI: 0.64-0.73] (inguinal) per 10,000 person-years. Inguinal (median = 20, interquartile range [IQR] = 0-46 days), ventral (median = 23, IQR = 5-62 days), and femoral hernias (median = 0, IQR = 0-12 days) were repaired more promptly and with less variation than umbilical hernias (median = 66, IQR = 23-422 days)., Conclusions: These data describe the burden of hernia repair in the U.S. The large variation in time between diagnosis and repair by hernia type identifies an important area of research to understand mechanisms underlying such heterogeneity and determine the ideal timing for repair., Level of Evidence: Prognosis study II.

Background: While modern techniques allow midline fascial closure for most abdominal hernias, a bridge repair with mesh may be the only alternative in very large defects. When the risk of infection is high, the use of prosthetic mesh is controversial. We aim to examine outcomes after bridge repair of very large abdominal hernias at high risk for postoperative infection with a second-generation biologic mesh., Methods: Prospective, multicenter, single-arm study of patients with very large abdominal hernias who received bridge repair with a neonatal bovine dermis mesh. Primary outcome was hernia recurrence, as identified on computed tomography 1 year after the operation. Secondary outcomes included mesh laxity, surgical site occurrences, and any other mesh-related complications. Independent risk factors of the outcomes were determined by univariate and multivariable analyses., Results: A total of 117 bridge repair patients were enrolled with a mean defect size of 442.5 ± 254.2 cm 2 . The patients were predominantly obese (mean body mass index 36.5 ± 10.5) and with multiple comorbidities (Charlson comorbidity index 3 ± 2.5). Hernia recurrence was identified in 24 (20.5%) patients. An infected mesh at the index operation was an independent predictor of hernia recurrence, whereas obesity was an independent predictor of the pooled endpoint of recurrence and mesh laxity. Surgical site occurrences were recorded in 36.8% of the patients, and no independent risk factors were identified., Conclusion: In patients with very large abdominal hernias and at high risk for postoperative infection, who cannot undergo midline fascial closure, a bridge repair with neonatal bovine dermis mesh offers an acceptable profile in terms of hernia recurrence and wound occurrences., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

The authors report a rare case of herniation and incarceration of the gallbladder at the site of abdominal drainage tube deployment in a patient undergoing treatment for aortic valve disease. An incarcerated postoperative ventral hernia was confirmed by contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen. Emergency surgery was not indicated due to spontaneous reduction, short duration of incarceration and no peritoneal signs. This case reminds us the possibility of ventral hernias, containing the gallbladder, at the site of abdominal drainage tube deployment. According to the literature, untimely diagnosis of this event can result fatal consequences.

Background: The best treatment for the combined defects of midline and lateral incisional hernia is not known. The aim of our multicenter study was to evaluate the operative and patient-reported outcomes using a modified posterior component separation in patients who present with the combination of midline and lateral incisional hernia., Methods: We identified patients from a prospective, multicenter database who underwent operative repairs of a midline and lateral incisional hernia at 4 centers with minimum 2-year follow-up. Hernias were divided into a main hernia based on the larger size and associated abdominal wall hernias. Outcomes reported were short- and long-term complications, including recurrence, pain, and bulging. Quality of life was assessed with the European Registry for Abdominal Wall Hernias Quality of Life score., Results: Fifty-eight patients were identified. Almost 70% of patients presented with a midline defect as the main incisional hernia. The operative technique was a transversus abdominis release in 26 patients (45%), a modification of transversus abdominis release 27 (47%), a reverse transversus abdominis release in 3 (5%), and a primary, lateral retromuscular preperitoneal approach in 2 (3%). Surgical site occurrences occurred in 22 patients (38%), with only 8 patients (14%) requiring procedural intervention. During a mean follow-up of 30.1 ± 14.4 months, 2 (3%) cases of recurrence were diagnosed and required reoperation. There were also 4 (7%) patients with asymptomatic but visible bulging. The European Registry for Abdominal Wall Hernias Quality of Life score showed a statistically significant decrease in the 3 domains (pain, restriction, and cosmetic) in the postoperative score compared with the preoperative score., Conclusion: The different techniques of posterior component separation in the treatment of combined midline and lateral incisional hernia show acceptable results, despite the associated high complexity. Patient-reported outcomes after measurement of the European Registry for Abdominal Wall Hernias Quality of Life score demonstrated a clinically important improvement in quality of life and pain., (Copyright © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Smoking and obesity are well-known risk factors for surgical site infection, but it is unknown whether these factors influence outcomes after repair of small umbilical and epigastric hernias with defects ≤2 cm. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether smoking and obesity are associated with readmission, reoperation for complications, and recurrence rates after elective repair of small umbilical and epigastric hernias., Methods: Data on hernia type, size, repair method, smoking status, and body mass index after elective repair were available from the Danish Hernia Database from January 2017 through December 2018. Data on 90-day readmission and reoperation were available from the Danish National Patients Registry., Results: A total of 1,965 patients were included for final analysis, of whom 85.1% (1,672 of 1,965) were repaired by open approach and 70.8% (1,391 of 1,965) with mesh reinforcement. A 100% follow-up was secured, and median follow-up time was 307 (138-432) days. Readmission was significantly higher in smokers (9.6% [34 of 353]) compared with nonsmokers (6.4% [103 of 1,612]), P = .030. The reoperation rate for complications was also significantly higher for smokers (4.0% [14 of 353])) compared with nonsmokers (2.0% [32 of 1,612]) (P = .026). Patients with a body mass index ≥35 kg/m 2 were more frequently readmitted (11.7%; 12 of 102) compared with 6.7% (125 of 1,965) of patients with body mass index ≤34.9 kg/m 2 (P = .046). In multivariate analyses adjusted for age, sex, presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, smoking (odds ratio = 1.52 [1.02-2.30]) and body mass index >40 kg/m 2 (odds ratio = 6.07 [2.03-18.10]) were independent risk factors for readmission., Conclusion: Smoking and obesity have a significantly negative impact on outcomes even after elective repair of small umbilical and epigastric hernias., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The goal of our study was to compare results in patients with large midline incisional hernia using modified anterior component separation versus preoperative botulinum toxin and following Rives repair, with a focus on surgical site occurrences, possibility of fascial closure, duration of hospital stay, and hernia recurrence rate., Methods: From to March 2016 to June 2019, a prospective comparative study was performed in 80 consecutive patients with large midline incisional hernias and hernia transverse diameters between 11 and 17 cm under elective hernia repair at our tertiary center. Two groups were analyzed prospectively: 40 patients with preoperative botulinum toxin administration and following open Rives repair (botulinum toxin group) were compared with 40 patients who underwent open component separation during that period (component separation group)., Results: All large midline incisional hernias were classified W3, with mean transverse and longitudinal defect diameters of 14.9 cm (11.8-16.5) and 24 cm (11-28), respectively. Complete fascial closure was possible in all patients in the preoperative botulinum toxin group. No complications occurred during the administration of preoperative botulinum toxin, but surgical site complications were most frequent in the component separation group, especially skin necrosis (12.5%, P = .020). At a median of 19.6 months (range, 11-35) of postoperative follow-up, 2 cases of hernia recurrence (8.9%) were reported, all of them in the component separation group., Conclusion: Botulinum toxin allows getting a successful downstaging from surgical repair to Rives technique in patients with large midline incisional hernia, especially with hernia transverse diameters between 11 and 17 cm. These results contribute to minimize disadvantages associated to the anterior component separation., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Laparoscopic decision-making may be useful for accurately determining the repair area when treating abdominal wall pseudohernia. A 31-year-old man was admitted with a pelvic ring fracture after a traffic accident and underwent orthopedic surgery. Five months after surgery, the patient developed a lower abdominal protrusion. CT revealed abdominal wall bulging and thinning of the abdominal muscle but no musculofascial defects, suggesting a pseudohernia. We reconstructed the abdominal wall and inserted a mesh. Because there was no musculofascial defect, it was difficult to discern the accurate repair area. We used laparoscopy to determine the repair area, which was recognized thanks to illumination transmitted through the abdominal wall. We were able to determine the appropriate size and placement of the mesh, which enabled us to repair the abdominal pseudohernia., (© 2019 Japan Society for Endoscopic Surgery, Asia Endosurgery Task Force and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

Chronic pain is frequent after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Recurrent internal hernias (IHs) may be responsible for chronic abdominal pain. Physical examination and computed tomography are often inconclusive. This observational retrospective study describes 11 patients who underwent elective laparoscopy for post-RYGB chronic abdominal pain of undetermined etiology after noninvasive investigations and failure of conservative treatment. Open intermesenteric and/or Peterson spaces were found in all cases; IH was present in 6 cases. Nine patients were totally relieved from symptoms after mesenteric windows closure; substantial improvement was noted in the remaining 2 cases. Peterson space was found more likely to be responsible for chronic IH. In such selected patients, laparoscopic exploration and windows closure should be discussed. These findings add support to initial windows closure during RYGB.

Management of incarcerated hernias is a common issue facing general surgeons across the USA. When hernias are not able to be reduced, surgeons must make decisions in a short time frame with limited options for patient optimization. In this article, we review assessment and management options for incarcerated ventral and inguinal hernias.