David A. Klima

Prospective, comparative study of postoperative quality of life in TEP, TAPP, and modified Lichtenstein repairs.

Introduction:The purpose of this study was to compare postoperative quality of life (QOL) in patients undergoing laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP), transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP), or modified Lichtenstein (ML) hernia repairs. Methods:The International Hernia Mesh Registry (2007–2010) was interrogated. 2086 patients who underwent 2499 inguinal hernia repairs were identified. A Carolinas Comfort Score was self-reported at 1-, 6-, 12-months and results were compared. Subgroups analysis and logistic regression were used to identify confounders and to control for significant variables. Results:One hundred seventy-two patients met the exclusion criteria. The distribution of unilateral procedures was TEP (n = 217), TAPP (n = 331), and ML (n = 953). Average follow-up was 12 months. Use of >10 tacks, lack of prostate pathology, recurrent hernia repairs, and bilateral hernia repairs were significant predictors of postoperative pain. One month after surgery 8.9%, 16.6%, and 16.5% were symptomatic for TEP (P = 0.038 vs. ML), TAPP and ML, respectively. At 6 months and 1 year no differences were observed. The number of tacks used varied significantly, with 18.1% of TAPP and 2.3% of TEP with >10 tacks (P = 0.005). The incidence of hernia recurrences were equivalent: TEP (0.42%), TAPP (1.34%), and ML (1.27%). The number or type of tacks utilized did not impact recurrence rates. Conclusion:Use of >10 tacks doubles the incidence of early postoperative pain while having no effect on rates of recurrence. There was no difference in chronic postoperative pain comparing ML, TEP, and TAPP including when controlled for tack use.

The Addition of Lysostaphin Dramatically Improves Survival, Protects Porcine Biomesh from Infection, and Improves Graft Tensile Shear Strength

BACKGROUND Lysostaphin (LS), a naturally occurring Staphylococcal endopeptidase, has the ability to penetrate biofilm, and has been identified as a potential antimicrobial to prevent mesh infection. The goals of this study were to determine if LS adhered to porcine mesh (PM) can impact host survival, reduce the risk of long-term PM infection, and to analyze lysostaphin bound PM (LS-PM) mesh-fascial interface in an infected field. METHODS Abdominal onlay PMs measuring 3×3 cm were implanted in select groups of rats (n=75). Group assignments were based on bacterial inoculum and presence of LS on mesh. Explantation occurred at 60 d. Bacterial growth and mesh-fascial interface tensile strength were analyzed. Standard statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS Only one out of 30 rats with bacterial inoculum not treated with LS survived. All 30 LS treated rats survived and had normal appearing mesh, including 20 rats with a bacterial inoculum (10(6) and 10(8) CFU). Mean tensile strength for controls and LS and no inoculum samples was 3.47±0.86 N versus 5.0±1.0 N (P=0.008). LS groups inoculated with 10(6) and 10(8) CFU exhibited mean tensile strengths of 4.9±1.5 N and 6.7±1.6 N, respectively (P=0.019 and P<0.001 compared with controls). CONCLUSION Rats inoculated with S. aureus and not treated with LS had a mortality of 97%. By comparison, LS treated animals completely cleared S. aureus when challenged with bacterial concentrations of 1×10(6) and 1×10(8) with maintenance of mesh integrity at 60 d. These findings strongly suggest the clinical use of LS-treated porcine mesh in contaminated fields may translate into more durable hernia repair.

A review of factors that affect mortality following colectomy.

BACKGROUND The tightening focus on optimizing surgical outcomes has pushed tracking perioperative mortality to the forefront of interest. The goal of this study is to analyze factors affecting mortality after colorectal resection at a single tertiary care center. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data were collected from a prospective database for all patients undergoing a colorectal resection at our institution over a 12-y period. Data points included patient demographics, comorbidities, operative details, clinical presentation, postoperative complications, and mortality. RESULTS A total of 1245 patients were evaluated with 41 deaths (3.3%). Our population was 51% male with an average age of 60.1 ± 15.2 y, mean BMI of 27.5 ± 6.4 kg/m(2), average ASA score of 2.6 ± 0.9, and average of 2.2 ± 1.9 comorbidities. Preoperative factors associated with increased mortality included age, high ASA score, emergent surgery, and the presence of bowel perforation or obstruction (P < 0.05). Intra- and postoperative factors including the transfusion of blood products, length of resection, subtotal colectomy, open versus laparoscopic procedures, the need for reoperation, diagnosis and postoperative complications negatively impact survival (P < 0.05). Stepwise logistic regression demonstrated that high ASA score, emergent procedure, subtotal colectomy, age, obstruction, and open resection as the independent predictors of mortality in a stepwise logistic regression model (P < 0.10). CONCLUSION Preoperative ASA, emergent procedure, age, open procedure, subtotal colectomy, and obstruction were the independent predictors of mortality in our review. Preoperative optimization and counseling of elderly patients with a high ASA score and/or those requiring an emergency operation should be utilized by surgeons in an effort to improve surgical mortality and patient education.

Quality of Life Following Component Separation Versus Standard Open Ventral Hernia Repair for Large Hernias

Introduction. Component separation (CS) has become a viable alternative to repair large ventral defects when the fascia cannot be reapproximated. However, the impact of transecting the external oblique to facilitate closure of the abdomen on quality of life (QOL) has yet to be investigated. The study goal was to investigate QOL and outcomes after standard open ventral hernia repair (OVHR) versus CS for large ventral hernias. Study design. Prospective data for all CSs were reviewed and compared with matched OVHR controls. All defects were 100 to 1000 cm2 in size and repaired with mesh. Comorbidities, complications, outcomes, and Carolinas Comfort Scale (CCS) scores, were reviewed. Results. Seventy-four CS patients were compared with 154 patients undergoing standard OVHR with similar defect sizes. Age (56.7±13.0 vs 54.7 ± 12.3 years, P = .26), defect sizes (299 ± 160 vs 304 ± 210cm2, P = .87), and BMI (32.7 ± 6.9 vs 34.2 ± 9.0 kg/m2, P = .26) were similar in both groups, respectively. There were no differences in major postoperative complications (P = .22), mesh infections (P = 1.00), wound infections (P = .07), or hernia recurrence (P = .09), but wound breakdown increased after CS (10% vs 1%, P < .001) as did seroma interventions (15% vs 4%, P = .005). Postoperative CCS scores were similar at 1 month (P = .82) and 1 year (P = .14). Conclusions. In the first comparative study of its kind, it is found that patient undergoing CS with mesh reinforcement had equal short- and long-term QOL outcomes compared with similar patients who underwent standard OVHR. Whereas wound breakdown and seroma formation are higher, the overall complication, mesh infection, and recurrence rates are similar.

Application of Subcutaneous Talc after Axillary Dissection in a Porcine Model Safely Reduces Drain Duration and Prevents Seromas

BACKGROUND Talc, the most common pleurodesis agent, has recently been shown to prevent seromas and decrease drain duration when placed subcutaneously after large subcutaneous dissection accompanying open ventral hernia repair. We hypothesized that talc would decrease drain duration and prevent seromas after axillary dissection without local or systemic side effects. STUDY DESIGN Six pigs underwent full, bilateral axillary dissection (n 12 dissections). Three animals each had aerosolized small particle (SP) talc and large particle (LP) talc sprayed unilaterally (TALC) before closure, with the contralateral axillary dissection serving as the control (NOTALC). Functional status, wound complications, and drain duration were recorded. Local neurovascular structures and systemic organs were harvested at 28 days, processed with hematoxylin and eosin, and examined under normal and polarized light microscopy by blinded physicians. RESULTS All pigs were back to baseline functional status by 72 hours. Two seromas (33%) were noted in the NOTALC dissections vs 0 in the TALC group (0%). Drain duration was significantly decreased in TALC vs NOTALC dissections (8.3 ± 2.7 vs 12.0 ± 3.2 days, p = 0.03), as was total drain volume (222.5 ± 127.1 mL vs 334.2 ± 137.9 mL, p = 0.02). Gross and histologic evaluation revealed neurovascular structures to be intact. Minimal splenic deposition of talc within macrophages without evidence of injury was identified in all specimens, with fewer deposits in the large particle talc group. Serum laboratory examination at time of harvest revealed all animals to have normal values. CONCLUSIONS Direct application of talc throughout the wound after axillary dissection in pigs decreased drain duration and drain volume and prevented seroma formation. Gross, histologic, and serum laboratory evaluation demonstrated no talc-related local or systemic complications. Aerosolized talc is an effective and safe pretreatment to prevent seromas and hasten drain removal after axillary dissection.

Loss of Abdominal Domain

Over two million laparotomies are performed every year in the United States. 5–20% of these cases lead to incisional hernia formation, some leading to large abdominal wall defects with loss of domain. Approximately 160,000 ventral hernia repairs are performed annually, with a recurrence rate of 5–20% in uncomplicated hernias and low-risk individuals. The success of the hernia operations diminishes with larger hernia defects, obesity, and multiple reoperations. In patients with complex abdominal hernias and loss of domain, recurrence rates of up to 67% have been reported. Such cases require particular expertise in evaluation, counseling, and multimodality treatment in order to achieve long-term success. This chapter will address some of the theoretical principles and practical considerations in the management of patients with loss of abdominal domain.

Chronic Pain After Ventral Hernia Repair

Four million laparotomies are performed annually in the United States with a 3–20% hernia occurrence rate. The use of mesh for ventral hernia repair has drastically reduced hernia recurrence rates to less than 10% in a majority of studies. Because of this, the focus on hernia recurrence has shifted to concerns over pain and quality of life. Pain after ventral hernia repair should be divided into immediate postoperative surgical pain and more long-term neuropathic pain. Chronic pain is defined as pain lasting >3 months. Evidence reveals that chronic pain is most likely multifactorial with an incidence ranging from 1 to 7%. Major factors that have been identified as possible etiologies include transfascial fixation devices, mesh type, as well as surgical approach. Preoperative pain seems to have the strongest correlation with postoperative pain in our experience. Evaluation of pain and quality of life postoperatively can be complex, with the visual analog scale being the most widely used model. More recently, the Carolinas Comfort Scale™ has demonstrated improved sensitivity and specificity over other, more generic measures. Initial nonoperative management of chronic pain with oral analgesics and anti-inflammatory medications is the most conservative approach, but local injection of anesthetic and even mesh excision may be required. Prevention is the best approach, with a prevailing hypothesis that the use of a lightweight mesh with appropriate tension limits the risk of postoperative pain, but to date, no technique has been found to fully eliminate this problem.