Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair: Results of a two thousand patients prospective multicentric database

Laparoscopic incisional and ventral hernia repair (LIVHR) has been largely employed by the surgical community worldwide, despite the use of different types of mesh and fixation devices. A large nationwide prospective multicentric database collected 2005 operations from 8 high-volume centers, to investigate the perioeperative and long-term outcomes. The laparoscopic operations were completed in 1979 patients (98.7%), with a mean age of 60.7 years and a Body Mass Index of 28.8 kg/m². Two hundred and one patient (18.8%) had a previous failed open repair. The average surface areas of the major defects were 47.4 and 18.2 cm 2 for postincisional and primary hernias. The mean operation time and postoperative stay were 94.4 min and s 3.7 days, respectively. We collected a total of 50 (2.5%) intraoperative and 414 (20.6%) postoperative complications, with reoperation needed in 38 cases (1.8%). After a mean follow-up period of 24 months, we recorded 62 (3.8%) confirmed recurrences. Length of surgery, hospital stay, and a previous recurrence were all risk factors for recurrence. Primary hernias had better perioperative outcomes compared to incisional hernias, except for the pain. The laparoscopic approach of both post-incisional and primary hernias seemed to be safe and feasible in short-to medium-term periods.