A Suggestion for an Easy Laparoscopic Technique to Avoid Difficulties in Nonmidline Ventral Hernia Repair:...

Nonmidline ventral hernias (NMVH) are encountered less frequently than midline ventral hernias. Laparoscopic NMVH repairs are considered technically more difficult than midline hernias. For this reason, various intraperitoneal and extraperitoneal approach methods have been defined in the surgery of this group of hernias. In this study, we aimed to present the clinical data and follow-up results of patients who underwent laparoscopic repair of NMVH using the transabdominal partial extraperitoneal (TAPE) technique.

In this single-center and retrospective study, demographic information, hernia characteristics, operative findings, and follow-up data of laparoscopic NMVH surgeries performed by a hernia-specific general surgery unit between January 2022 and June 2024 were scanned and analyzed.

Data from 26 patients with NMVH who underwent laparoscopic repair using the TAPE technique were analyzed. The mean age of the patients was 52.9±13.5 years. No intraoperative complications or conversion to open surgery were observed in any case. The median operative time was 100 (82.5 to 120) minutes. The median VAS score on the first postoperative day was 5 (3.75 to 6). Complications developed in 38.5% of patients during hospitalization; 26.9% were Clavien-Dindo class 1 and 11.5% were class 3a. The median hospital stay was 3 (3 to 5) days. The mean follow-up period was 17.8 (9 to 48) months, during which 2 patients (7.7%) experienced recurrence.

The TAPE technique is among the reliable techniques that can be applied in the laparoscopic repair of NMVH with low complication and recurrence rates.