Hernia : the journal of hernias and abdominal wall surgery
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Observational Study
Single centre observational study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Proceed™ Ventral Patch to repair small ventral hernias.
There is evidence that mesh repair for primary umbilical hernias results in less recurrences and similar wound complication rates compared to tissue repair. In recent years, several mesh devices for the repair of small ventral hernias have been developed, but some reports have been published on serious complications and adverse effects encountered with those mesh devices. ⋯ Intensive clinical follow-up yields a high percentage (12.0 %) of clinically proven, but often asymptomatic recurrences after repair of small ventral hernias with the PVP™. Reoperation rate for recurrence was 5.1 %. Hernia defect size is a significant risk factor for recurrence. Therefore, we recommend using the PVP™ only for primary ventral hernias smaller than 2 cm. For larger or incisional hernias other techniques allowing the use of larger meshes is advocated.
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Ventral hernias are common and repair with mesh has been shown to reduce recurrence. However, synthetic mesh is associated with a risk of infection. Biologic mesh is an alternative that may be less susceptible to infection. Typically, the sublay position is preferred for mesh placement but this technique takes longer and has not been shown to have a lower recurrence rate than an onlay mesh. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of complex ventral hernia repair using a porcine non-cross-linked biologic mesh onlay. ⋯ Porcine non-cross-linked biologic mesh overlay has excellent short-term results in patients at increased risk for mesh infection. No patient required mesh removal, and there have been no recurrent hernias in patients with primary fascial closure. Biologic bridging is not effective for long-term abdominal wall reconstruction.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Post-operative benefits of Tisseel(®)/Tissucol (®) for mesh fixation in patients undergoing Lichtenstein inguinal hernia repair: secondary results from the TIMELI trial.
The Tisseel/Tissucol for mesh fixation in Lichtenstein hernia repair (TIMELI) study showed that mesh fixation with human fibrin sealant during inguinal hernia repair significantly reduced moderate-severe complications of pain 12 months post-operatively compared with sutures. Further analyses may assist surgeons by investigating predictors of post-surgical complications and identifying patients that may benefit from Tisseel/Tissucol intervention. ⋯ Pre-operative discomfort may be an important predictor of post-operative pain, numbness and discomfort. Tisseel/Tissucol may improve long-term morbidity over conventional sutures in these patients.
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Smartphone technology and downloadable applications (apps) have created an unprecedented opportunity for access to medical information and healthcare-related tools by clinicians and their patients. Here, we review the current smartphone apps in relation to hernias, one of the most common operations worldwide. This article presents an overview of apps relating to hernias and discusses content, the presence of medical professional involvement and commercial interests. ⋯ There were a relatively small number of apps related to hernias in view of the worldwide frequency of hernia repair. This search identified many opportunities for the development of informative and validated evidence-based patient apps which can be recommended to patients by physicians. Greater regulation, transparency of commercial interests and involvement of medical professionals in the content and peer-review of healthcare-related apps is required.
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Lichtenstein hernia repair is a common surgical procedure and one of the first procedures performed by a surgical trainee. However, formal assessment tools developed for this procedure are few and sparsely validated. The aim of this study was to determine the reliability and validity of an assessment tool designed to measure surgical skills in Lichtenstein hernia repair. ⋯ Lichtenstein hernia repair skills can be assessed blindly by a single rater in a reliable and valid fashion with the new procedure-specific assessment tool. We recommend this tool for future assessment of trainees performing Lichtenstein hernia repair to ensure that the objectives of competency-based surgical training are met.