Value of CT after laparoscopic repair of postsurgical ventral hernia.
BACKGROUND
We examined computed tomographic (CT) findings after laparoscopic repair of postsurgical ventral hernias in patients with and without symptoms.


METHODS
Meshes were placed laparoscopically in 18 patients for incisional ventral hernia repair. CT of the abdominal wall was performed 1, 15, and 30 days after repair and when clinical findings indicated the procedure.


RESULTS
Scans of four patients showed small fluid collections within the abdominal wall between the hernia sac and the mesh. These collections resolved within the first 30 days without aspiration. Scans of three patients with symptoms 4-8 months later showed fluid collections that required multiple aspirations in one patient and a recurrent hernia that was repaired laparoscopically in another patient.


CONCLUSIONS
Preliminary results suggest that CT is a useful imaging tool in patients with laparoscopic repair of incisional vetral hernia. It showed the correct site of the mesh, subclinical fluid collections in the abdominal wall, and recurrent hernia.
Gossios
K
K
Department of Radiology, General Hospital of Ioannina, Makriyianni Str., 450 01 Ioannina, Greece.
Zikou
A
A
Vazakas
P
P
Passas
G
G
Glantzouni
A
A
Glantzounis
G
G
Kontogiannis
D
D
Tsimoyiannis
E
E
D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006555:Hernia, Ventral / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed