[Optimized approach to the surgical treatment of patients with large and giant postoperative ventral hernia]

To optimize surgical approach in patients with large and giant postoperative ventral hernias through an analysis of early and long-term results of modern techniques of hernia repair.

There were 680 patients with postoperative ventral hernia over a 15-year period who underwent surgery in the Sklifosovsky Research Institute for Emergency Care and Medical Unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (445 (65.4%) women, 235 (34.6%) men). Mean age of patients was 63.2±14.2 years. Middle and elderly (employable) age patients (45-74 years) prevailed in the study (n=510, 75%). Hernia repair using «sublay» technique was performed in 490 (72%) patients without severe comorbidities and relative volume of hernial protrusion up to 18%. Submuscular-inlay technique was used in 95 (14%) patients with significant comorbidities and those over 50 years old or with a relative volume of hernial protrusion over 18%. We have applied a modified repair technique for the last 3 years in 5 (0.75%) patients with a giant postoperative ventral hernia and anterior abdominal tissue deficiency (partial or complete absence of some anatomical structures, for example, rectus muscle). A hybrid technology was applied in 12 patients with severe concomitant diseases, hernias W2 according to European qualifications or recurrent hernias, significant adhesions in the abdominal cavity or hernial sac.

Early postoperative wound complications occurred in 27 (5.5%) patients including hematoma (n=12, 2.5%), infiltration (n=7, 1.4%), wound suppuration (n=8, 1.6%). Other complications were observed in 6 (1.2%) patients: pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, intestinal obstruction. Lethal outcomes were absent. Recurrences in long-term period were found in 18 (3.7%) patients. Submuscular-inlay technique of hernia repair was followed by early postoperative wound complications in 5 (5.1%) patients including hematoma (n=3, 3.2%), infiltration (n=1, 1%), wound suppuration (n=1, 1%). There was no mortality. No other early postoperative complications were observed. Recurrences were detected in 5 (5.2%) patients. Preoperative intra-abdominal pressure was 7-10 mm Hg in all patients with tissue deficit. This value did not exceed 12 mm Hg after repair due to creation of a «specified diastasis». Lethal outcomes were absent. There were no early and long-term recurrences or wound complications. Analysis of early and long-term results of the modified hybrid repair of the anterior abdominal wall did not reveal recurrences, local and systemic complications. Persistent minor diastasis between rectus muscles reinforced with a mesh implant was observed in 3 (25%) out of 12 patients.

Thus, optimized and personalized approach in patients with large and giant postoperative ventral hernias considers all intra- and postoperative risk factors.