Management of the Crura During Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

Despite the increasing number of bariatric procedures being performed, the optimal strategy for managing the crura during laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) remains controversial. Options include no closure, primary suture closure, and suture closure with mesh reinforcement. We sought to investigate outcomes associated with each technique and determine if any approach proved to be superior. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study that evaluated patients undergoing LSG performed by a single surgeon in a 7-year period. Data were collected via chart review. The primary endpoint was hiatal hernia presence at 5 years post-operatively. Secondary endpoints included post-procedural complications (nausea, vomiting, dysphagia, or reflux) at 30 days post-operatively. Results A total of 361 patients were included in the analysis: 154 without crural closure, 164 primary crural closure, and 43 primary crural closure with mesh reinforcement. Rates of hiatal hernia occurrence at 5 years were 9.7% (no closure), 14.0% (primary closure), and 16.3% (closure with mesh reinforcement), respectively, and did not differ significantly among the 3 cohorts (P = .37). Overall rates of 30-day complications were 11.5%, 21.5%, and 28.6%, respectively ( P = .015). Conclusion Rates of hiatal hernia after sleeve gastrectomy do not differ, regardless of management of the crura. In addition, and perhaps more significantly, avoidance of crural closure was associated with fewer 30-day complications. In fact, the highest rate of 30-day complications was seen in the group that received closure with mesh reinforcement. These data suggest that crural closure during LSG should be avoided. Further prospective study of these findings is warranted.

Laparoscopic fixation of biological mesh at hiatus with glue and suture during hiatal hernia repair

Background Laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair is associated with higher recurrence rate. Mesh is used to reduce the recurrence rate. This retrospective study is to review our experience of biological mesh fixed with suture and medical glue in hiatal hernias repairs. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted for a consecutive series of patients undergoing laparoscopic hiatal herniorrhaphy between January 2018 and January 2019. After hiatus closure, a piece of biological prosthesis was fixed with medical glue and suture for reinforcement of the crural closure. Clinical outcomes were reviewed, and data were collected regarding operative details, complications, symptoms, and follow-up imaging. Radiological evidence of any size of hiatal hernia was considered to indicate a recurrence. Results Thirty-six patients underwent surgery uneventfully without any serious complication. There was no mortality. The follow-up was, on average, 18.4 months, and there was no symptomatic recurrence. There was one anatomical recurrence without any related presentation. The method of mesh fixation with medical glue and suture took 12 min on average, and the handling was fairly easy. Conclusions Biological mesh fixed with suture and medical glue was safe and effective for repairing large hiatal hernias. Of course, a longer follow-up is still needed for determining long-term outcomes.

Laparoscopic Fixation of Biological Mesh at Hiatus with Glue and Suture During Hiatal Hernia Repair

Aim: Laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair is associated with higher recurrence rate. Mesh is used to reduce the recurrence rate. This retrospective study is to review our experience of biological mesh fixed with suture and medical glue in hiatal hernias repairs.Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted for a consecutive series of patients undergoing laparoscopic hiatal herniorrhaphy between January 2018 and January 2019. After hiatus closure, a piece of biological prosthesis was fixed with medical glue and suture for reinforcement of the crural closure. Clinical outcomes were reviewed, and data were collected regarding operative details, complications, symptoms, and follow-up imaging. Radiological evidence of any size of hiatal hernia was considered to indicate a recurrence.Results: Thirty-six patients underwent surgery uneventfully without any serious complication. There was no mortality. The follow-up was, on average, 18.4 months, and there was no symptomatic recurrence. There was one anatomical recurrence without any related presentation. The method of mesh fixation with medical glue and suture took 12 mins on average, and the handling was fairly easy.Conclusions: Biological mesh fixed with suture and medical glue was safe and effective for repairing large hiatal hernias. Of course, a longer follow-up is still needed for determining long-term outcomes.

Resorbable Biosynthetic Mesh for Crural Reinforcement during Hiatal Hernia Repair

The use of mesh to reinforce crural closure during hiatal hernia repair is controversial. Although some studies suggest that using synthetic mesh can reduce recurrence, synthetic mesh can erode into the esophagus and in our opinion should be avoided. Studies with absorbable or biologic mesh have not proven to be of benefit for recurrence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of hiatal hernia repair with modern resorbable biosynthetic mesh in combination with adjunct tension reduction techniques. We retrospectively analyzed all patients who had crural reinforcement during repair of a sliding or paraesophageal hiatal hernia with Gore BioA resorbable mesh. Objective follow-up was by videoesophagram and/or esophagogastroduodenoscopy. There were 114 patients. The majority of operations (72%) were laparoscopic primary repairs with all patients receiving a fundoplication. The crura were closed primarily in all patients and reinforced with a BioA mesh patch. Excessive tension prompted a crural relaxing incision in four per cent and a Collis gastroplasty in 39 per cent of patients. Perioperative morbidity was minor and unrelated to the mesh. Median objective follow-up was one year, but 18 patients have objective follow-up at two or more years. A recurrent hernia was found in one patient (0.9%) three years after repair. The use of crural relaxing incisions and Collis gastroplasty in combination with crural reinforcement with resorbable biosynthetic mesh is associated with a low early hernia recurrence rate and no mesh-related complications. Long-term follow-up will define the role of these techniques for hiatal hernia repair.

Hiatal Hernia Repair with Gore Bio-A Tissue Reinforcement: Our Experience

Type I hiatal hernia is associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in 50–90% of cases. Several trials strongly support surgery as an effective alternative to medical therapy. Today, laparoscopic fundoplication is considered as the procedure of choice. However, primary laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair is associated with upto 42% recurrence rate. Mesh reinforcement of the crural closure decreases the recurrence but can lead to complications, above all nonabsorbable ones. We experiment a new totally absorbable mesh by Gore.Case. We present a case of a 65-year-old female patient with a 6-year classic history of GERD. Endoscopy revealed a large hiatal hernia and esophagitis. pH study was positive for acid reflux; esophageal manometry revealed LES intrathoracic dislocation. With laparoscopic approach, the hiatal hernia defect was identified and primarily repaired, by crural closure. Gore Bio-A Tissue Reinforcement was trimmed to fit the defect accommodating the esophagus. Nissen fundoplication was performed.Result. Bio-A mesh was easily placed laparoscopically. It has good handling and could be cut and tailored intraoperatively for optimal adaptation. There were no short-term complications.Conclusion. Crural closure reinforcement can be done readily with this new totally absorbable mesh replaced by soft tissue over six months. However, further data and studies are needed to evaluate long-term outcomes.