%0 Journal Article %T Hybrid fascial closure with laparoscopic mesh placement for ventral hernias: a single surgeon experience %A Meytes, Vadim %A Lee, Aaron %A Rivelis, Yulia %A Ferzli, George %A Timoney, Michael %J Annals of Laparoscopic and Endoscopic Surgery %D 2017 %B 2017 %9 %! Hybrid fascial closure with laparoscopic mesh placement for ventral hernias: a single surgeon experience %K %X Background: Incisional hernia and primary ventral hernia are among the most common surgical problems that general surgeons face annually in the United States (U.S.). Over 2 million laparotomies are performed in the US and the subsequent incisional hernia rate is 3–20%. At our institution, over the last several years, one surgeon has been performing a unique repair of intermediate-sized hernias by combining open and laparoscopic approaches. We hypothesized that, through a minimal incision, lysis of adhesions and primary repair can be performed, which can then be buttressed with a laparoscopically placed mesh that provides a generous underlay reinforcement that cannot be achieved in open repair. Furthermore, this technique provides the additional benefit of apposition of the rectus muscles and decreased seroma formation compared to laparoscopic hernia repair. Methods: Patients that underwent ventral hernia repair with laparoscopic assistance at NYU Lutheran Medical Center between October of 2012 and January 2015 form this study population. Each patient’s demographic, intra-operative, and postoperative data were collected and analyzed. Patient demographics included gender, age, BMI, prior abdominal surgery, co morbidities, and anticoagulation use. Intra-operative data included defect size, mesh size, and operative time. Postoperative data included complications, length of hospitalization, re-currences, seroma formation, surgical site infections (SSI), and mesh explantation. The surgical technique was as follows: a minimal incision was used over the defect which was only big enough to allow dissection down to the hernia borders. The hernia was reduced and lysis of adhesions of surrounding tissue performed. The hernia was sized and a mesh chosen to provide at least 3 to 5 cm of underlay around the defect. A series of one to four stay sutures were placed in the midline of the mesh and the mesh was placed intra-corporeally. The defect was closed primarily using the Smead-Jones technique (in 17 of 19 patients) to provide a tension-free double layer closure. The abdomen was in-sufflated, the mesh visualized, fixed to the midline via the stay sutures, and tacked circumferentially. The subcutaneous tissue and the skin were closed with absorbable suture. Results: A total of 19 patients (12 females, 7 males) underwent the hybrid hernia repair from October 2012 through January 2015. Only 1 (5%) was admitted postoperatively due to severe underlying co morbidities. The average size of the hernia defect was 5.94 cm 2 (2.5–15 cm 2 ) with an average mesh size of 16×16 cm 2 (9×9–25×20 cm 2 ) being used. Average operative time was 153 minutes with a range of 69–281 minutes. One (5%) had an early (within the first three months post-surgery) recurrence of the hernia. One patient (5%) had an early superficial SSI noticed during the 1 week follow-up appointment and was treated with oral antibiotics. None of the patients required re-hospitalization. None of the patients developed any seroma or any deep tissue infections requiring mesh explantation. Fourteen (74%) of the 19 patients were reached via telephone for further follow-up. All 14 patients were satisfied with the results of their surgery with only 1 complaint of pre-existing gastritis unrelated to the surgery. All of the patients that were employed prior to the surgery were able to return to work post-operatively. None of the patients reported any residual incisional or back pain. Conclusions: Hybrid ventral hernia repair has the physiological benefit of fascial continuity by re-approximating the hernia edges. This technique also maximizes the benefit of laparoscopic repair while mini-mizing associated complications. Patients had no severe wound complications. This surgical technique resulted in a low recurrence rate, and minimal pain after the procedure, making the hybrid technique a safe alternative method when repairing intermediate sized ventral hernias. %U https://ales.amegroups.org/article/view/3865 %V 2 %P %@ 2518-6973