Extensive Abdominal Skin Necrosis Following Anterior Component Separation for a Large Ventral Hernia: A Case Report

Introduction: Hernia surgery is one of the most common operative procedures, performed in about 20 million cases per year all over the world, with ventral hernia accounting for about 30% of the cases. Although the introduction of the anterior component separation (ACS) method, popularized primarily by Oscar Ramirez, has greatly facilitated the closure of the largest abdominal wall defects, the 30-year experience in this technique has pointed to the risk of ischemic skin complications consequential to the major subcutaneous tissue dissection required. The aim of this case presentation of a patient who developed extensive necrosis of the abdominal wall skin following ACS procedure is to emphasize the importance of preserving rectus abdominis perforator blood vessels in order to preserve skin vitality.Case Presentation: We present a case of a 58-year-old female patient with a large recurrent ventral hernia. The hernial defect was closed by placing a large (30 × 25 cm) polypropylene mesh in the retro-rectus space using the Rives-Stoppa technique. To facilitate upper fascia closure ACS according to Ramirez was performed bilaterally. The rectus perforator vessels were not preserved. Recovery of the patient was complicated with the extensive abdominal skin necrosis which was successfully treated with negative pressure wound therapy.Discussion: Transection of the musculocutaneous perforators of the epigastric artery during ACS results with the compromised blood supply of the abdominal skin depending solely upon the intercostal arteries. Skin ischemia following ACS is a serious complication that can be presented with extensive necrosis associated with high morbidity and even mortality, while the treatment is long lasting, complex, and expensive. Considering the ever-increasing prevalence of large ventral hernias, ever greater popularity of the ACS technique, and the growing proportion of surgeons performing large ventral hernia operations independently, we think that the role of preserving perforated rectus vessels has not been emphasized enough. Therefore, the objective of this case study is to stimulate surgeons to preserve skin vascularity and promote it in their routine in order to avoid these severe postoperative complications.

O50 ALTERATIONS IN THE ABDOMINAL WALL MUSCULATURE AFTER ENDOSCOPIC ANTERIOR AND OPEN POSTERIOR COMPONENT SEPARATION

Aim Effects of component separation (CS) on abdominal wall musculature have only been investigated in smaller case series. The study aimed to compare abdominal wall alterations following endoscopic anterior component separation (EACS) or transverse abdominis release (TAR). Material and Methods Computed tomography scans were evaluated in patients who underwent open ventral hernia repair with TAR or EACS. Lateral abdominal wall muscle thickness and displacement were compared with preoperative images after bilateral CS and the undivided side postoperatively after unilateral CS. Results In total, 105 patients were included. The mean defect width was 12.2 cm. Fifty-five (52%) and 15 (14%) underwent bilateral and unilateral EACS, respectively. Five (5%) and 14 (13%) underwent bilateral and unilateral TAR, respectively. Sixteen (15%) underwent unilateral EACS and contralateral TAR. Complete fascial closure was achieved in 103 (98%) patients. The external oblique and transverse abdominis muscles were significantly laterally displaced with a mean of 2.74 cm (95% CI 2.29-3.19 cm) and 0.82 cm (0.07-1.57 cm) after EACS and TAR, respectively. The combined thickness of the lateral muscles was significantly decreased after EACS (mean decrease 10.5% [5.8-15.6%]) and insignificantly decreased after TAR (mean decrease 2.6% [-4.8-9.5%]), mean reduction difference EACS versus TAR 0.22 cm (-0.01-0.46 cm). One (1%) patient developed an iatrogenic linea semilunaris hernia after EACS. The recurrence rate was 19% after mean 1.7 years follow-up. Conclusions The divided muscle was significantly more laterally displaced after EACS compared with TAR. The thickness of the lateral muscles was slightly decreased after EACS and unchanged after TAR.

P160 ENDOSCOPIC ANTERIOR COMPONENT SEPARATION OR OPEN TRANSVERSUS ABDOMINUS RELEASE ARE NOT ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED WOUND MORBIDITY FOLLOWING INCISIONAL HERNIA REPAIR

Aim Traditional anterior component separation during incisional hernia repair is associated with a high rate of postoperative wound morbidity. Because extensive subcutaneous dissection is avoided by endoscopic anterior component separation (eACS) or open transversus abdominis release (TAR), we hypothesized that these techniques did not increase the incidence of surgical site occurrence compared to incisional hernia repair without component separation. Material and Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing open, retro-rectus incisional hernia repair. Component separation during retro-rectus repair was performed using eACS or TAR. The primary outcome was 30-day incidence of postoperative surgical site occurrence. Secondary outcomes included length of stay, 30-day readmission, 30-day reoperation rate and 3-year recurrence rate. Results A total of 322 patients underwent retro-rectus repair, 168 (52%) of whom received either eACS or TAR. Addition of eACS or TAR was neither associated with surgical site occurrence, (odds ratio: 0.82, confidence interval: 0.40-1.68, P = 0.596) nor with hernia recurrence (hazard ratio 0.80, CI 0.27-2.40, P = 0.693). There was no significant difference between the groups regarding the frequencies of 30 day-readmission or 30-day reoperation. Conclusions The addition of eACS or TAR to a retro-rectus incisional hernia repair was not associated with increased wound morbidity or hernia recurrence.

Robotic hernia repair

The principle of targeted separation or weakening of individual components of the abdominal wall to relieve tension in the median line during major abdominal reconstruction has been known for over 30 years as anterior component separation (aCS) and is an established procedure. In search of alternatives with lower complication rates, posterior component separation (pCS) was developed; transversus abdominis release (TAR) is a nerve-sparing modification of pCS. With the ergonomic resources of robotics (e.g., angled instruments), TAR can be performed in a minimally invasive manner (r-TAR): hernia gaps of up to 14 cm can be closed and a large extraperitoneal mesh implanted. In this video article, the treatment of large incisional hernias using the r‑TAR technique is presented. Exemplary results of a cohort study in 13 consecutive patients are presented. The procedure is challenging, but our own results—as well as reports from the literature—are encouraging. The r‑TAR is becoming the pinnacle procedure for abdominal wall reconstruction.

OPTIMIZATION OF THE CHOICE OF LAPAROSCOPIC AND OPEN ALLOPLASTICS IN CASE OF INCISIONAL VENTRAL HERNIAS

The aim of the work – to increase the effectiveness of surgical treatment of incisionalventral hernias (IVH) by optimizing the choice of laparoscopic and open allohernioplasty.Material and methods. The analysis of surgical treatment of 508 patients with IVH from2009 to 2020 was conducted. According to the Europenian Herniology Association(EGA) classification (Ghent, Belgium, 2008) IVH was distributed as follows: MW1-2R0 was diagnosed in 217 (42,7%), MW3R0 – in 291 (57,3%) patients. Diastasis of therectus abdominis muscles up to 5 cm was present in 217 (42,7%) patients, diastasis5-10 cm – in 127 (25%), diastasis greater than 10 cm – in 164 (32.3%) patients.Depending on the size of the hernia and the width of diastasis of the rectus abdominis,patients were divided into 3 groups.In group I, laparoscopic allohernioplasty was performed in 109 (21,5%) patients withsmall and medium-sized IVH with diastasis of up to 5 cm, in particular the developedlaparoscopic preperitoneal in 63 patiens and laparoscopuc retromuscular alloplastiesin 46 patients. The comparison group IIa consisted of 108 (15,1%) patients whounderwent open retromuscular allohernioplasty.In group II, 64 (12,6%) patients with large IVH and diastasis of the rectus abdominis5-10 cm underwent open allohernioplasty by «sublay» technique. The comparison groupIIa consisted of 63 (12,4%) patients who were performed the open method «onlay».In group III, in 82 (16,1%) patients with giant IVH and diastasis more than 10 cm ananterior component separation technique of the abdominal wall in combination withalloplasty with intra-abdominal placement of a mesh implant with anti-adhesive coatingwas performed according to the developed method. Comparison group IIIa consistedof 82 (16,1%) patients who underwent anterior component separation technique of theabdominal wall in combination with alloplasty «onlay».Results. For small and medium-sized IVH and diastasis of the rectus abdominis musclesup to 5 cm, laparoscopic allohernioplasty with preperitoneal and retromuscularplacement of a mesh implant and elimination of diastasis is optimal in comparisonwith open retromuscular allohernioplasty, contributes to a significant decrease in theincidence of seroma from 35,2% to 3,7 %, postoperative wound suppuration – from6,5% to 0%, inflammatory infiltrate – from 4,6% to 0%, chronic postoperative pain –from 6,4% to 2,6%, hernia recurrence – from 6,4% up to 0%.The optimal method of allohernioplasty for large IVH and diastasis of the rectusabdominis muscles from 5 to 10 cm is the open «sublay» technique in comparison withthe open «onlay» technique, reduces the incidence of seroma from 23,8% to 6,3%,postoperative wound suppuration – from 4,8% to 1,6%, chronic postoperative pain –from 4,8% to 1,6%, hernia recurrence – from 7,9% to 3,1%.In case of gigantic IVH, contracture of the rectus abdominis muscles and diastasisof more than 10 cm the anterior component separation technique of the anatomicalcomponents of the abdominal wall in combination with intra-abdominal alloplasty isoptimal in comparison with the use of an anterior component separation techniqueof an abdominal wall combined with «onlay» significant improvement in treatmentoutcomes, namely, reduction of seroma frequency from 25,6% to 7,3%, postoperativewound suppuration – from 4,9% to 2,4%, postoperative wound infiltrate – from 13,4%to 2,4 %, chronic postoperative pain – from 8,1% to 1,6%, recurrence of IVH – from6,5% to 1,6%.Conclusion. Optimization of the choice of laparoscopic and open allohernioplastyenables to increase significantly ventral hernias and to decrease the quantity of thepost-operative complications.

Anterior component separation with sublay polypropylene mesh placement: An ideal way to deal with large ventral abdominal hernias.

Objectives: To study the effectiveness of open anterior component separation technique for repair of large incisional abdominal hernias. To study the effect of addition of polypropylene mesh with open anterior CST in sublay position. Study Design: Experimental study. Setting: Department of Surgery, DHQ Hospital Rawalpindi. Period: January 2016 to November 2016. Material & Methods: Patients (n=19) were admitted through OPD electively by purposive non- probability sampling in accordance with the inclusion/exclusion criteria. patients were operated under general anaesthesia. Anterior CST was done by standard Ramirez technique. Polypropylene mesh was placed in sublay (retrorectus) position. Data obtained was analysed by SPSS-20 software to calculate SSI and Recurrence rate. Results: A total of 19 (n=19) patients were included in the study and operated upon.There were 61% males with average age of 42 years and 39% females of average31 years.Average defect size was 10.11 cm with SD of 1.899 cm. Recurrence rate was 5.26%. SSI rate was 10.50%. Patients were followed up for one year for Recurrence of hernia. Conclusion: Anterior component separation is an effective technique for repair of otherwise inoperable large ventral abdominal hernias especially when combined with polypropylene mesh in sublay position. Addition of mesh in sublay position with CST signifantly reduces both recurrence and SSI rate.

Repair of giant inguino-scrotal hernia with loss of domain using minimally invasive anterior component separation technique combined with Lichtenstein tension-free mesh hernioplasty

Inguinal hernia repairs are most commonly performed surgical procedures across the world. Lichtenstein's tension free technique of open hernioplasty is the gold standard technique, while laparoscopic techniques gained popularity over recent decade. Giant inguinal hernias are rare. Giant inguinal hernia extends below the midpoint of the inner thigh, in the standing position. These are long standing conditions and at presentation years of herniation or even decades. We report a patient of 65 years of age presented with type-II left sided giant inguinoscrotal hernia from last 10 years with loss of domain. Contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) revealed, omentum and ileal loops with mesentry as contained in hernia sac, which was repaired by minimally invasive anterior component separation technique to increase the intra-abdominal volume followed by omentectomy and Lichtenstein mesh hernioplasty without any complications. He recovered uneventfully. Surgical management of giant inguinal hernia is significantly more challenging and unusual because of ‘loss of domain’ and returning herniated viscera into the empty abdominal cavity forcefully can lead to high intra-abdominal pressure, recurrence or abdominal compartment syndrome. There are several repair techniques in literatures such as resection of contents and increased intra-abdominal volume increasing procedures but there is no standard protocol or surgical procedure for the management of giant hernias. We describe a technique which is relatively simple, less expensive and less invasive used for type II unilateral giant inguinoscrotal hernia with loss of domain in patient with co-morbidities.