The extended-view totally extraperitoneal (eTEP) approach for incisional abdominal wall hernias: results from a...

The extended-view totally extraperitoneal (eTEP) approach is a promising technique for abdominal wall hernias and has increased in popularity among hernia surgeons in recent years. This study aims to present the results of applying the laparoscopic eTEP approach for incisional abdominal wall hernias (IAWHs).

This study is a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected dataset of 30 patients who underwent laparoscopic eTEP for IAWHs between October 2018 and March 2021 (median follow-up of 15 months).

Thirty patients (8 male, 22 female) with a mean age, mean body mass index, and median ASA score of 53.5, 30.8, and 2, respectively, underwent the eTEP procedure for incisional abdominal wall hernias. In total, 11 (36.7%) patients had a recurrent IAWH. Seventeen (56.7%) patients were treated with eTEP RivesStoppa (eTEP-RS), whereas 10 (33.3%) patients needed the eTEP transversus abdominis release (eTEP-TAR) procedure. In three patients, conversions to other procedures (laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh-plus (IPOM-Plus) and open RivesStoppa) were needed due to intraoperative complications: iatrogenic perforation to the intestine and large peritoneal tear causing loss of the working space. The mean operative time and mean length of stay (LOS) were 203.5 min and 1.5 days for eTEP-RS and 291.5 min and 1.6 days for eTEP-TAR, respectively. Two patients developed asymptomatic seromas, and one patient developed an asymptomatic hematoma; all were treated conservatively. Only one recurrence was observed over the course of the follow-up period.

The eTEP approach is a safe and feasible option for IAWH repair and a valuable addition to the armamentarium of hernia surgeons.