Objective
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of our technique in laparoscopic repair of ventral hernias.
Summary background data
Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR) was first reported in 1993. The successful application of laparoscopic techniques for the repair of ventral hernias has been well accepted. The recurrence rate after standard repair of ventral hernias may be as high as 10%, and the wide surgical dissection required often results in wound complications. Use of a laparoscopic approach may decrease rates of complications and recurrence after ventral hernia repair.
Patients and methods
Data on all patients who underwent LVHR performed using our procedure between February 2013 and February 2015 were collected retrospectively.
Results
LVHR was completed in 27 of the 30 patients (nine men and 21 women) in whom it was attempted. The patients’ mean BMI was 36.5; the mean defect size was 3.2 cm. Mesh averaging 6.3 cm was used in all cases. Mean operating time was 105 min, and hospital stay averaged 1.9 days. Our complication rates were 16.6%. The most common complications were ileus (6.6%) and prolonged seroma (6.6%). During a mean follow-up time of 12 months, the hernia recurrence rate was 3.3%. Overall, 10% of patients had pain for 1 month. Recurrence was associated with vigorous exercise within the first 3 months postoperatively.
Conclusion
In this series, the preperitoneal laparoscopic technique for ventral hernia repair had a low rate of conversion to open surgery, a short hospital stay, a moderate complication rate, and a low risk of recurrence avoiding the potential complications related to intraabdominal mesh position.