[Laparoscopic incisional hernia repair -- an alternative to the conventional procedure?].
BACKGROUND
Tension-free incisional hernia repair using alloplastic material increasingly replaces conventional repair techniques. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the early and long-term complications as well as patients' satisfaction.


METHODS
Laparoscopic hernia repair with intraperitoneal mesh implantation (PTFE) was performed on 28 patients at the Klinikum Grosshadern between 2000 and 2003 (16 males, 12 females, average age 61.2). Intra- and postoperative complications were registered retrospectively. In addition, 25 patients were evaluated for recurrence, postoperative pain and patient contentment (median follow-up 383 days).


RESULTS
A low complication rate was observed in our patient collective. One trocar bleeding occurred. 2 patients presented with wound hematoma. The recurrence rate was 8 % (2/25). 60 % of the patients were free of pain postoperatively. 88 % would once again choose the laparoscopic approach for incisional hernia repair.


CONCLUSIONS
The laparoscopic technique was associated with a low recurrence rate, a small rate of wound infections and high patient comfort. Thus, the laparoscopic approach for mesh implantation appears to be a safe and effective method for the treatment of incisional hernias. The efficiency of laparoscopic intraperitoneal mesh implantation, however, should be evaluated within a prospectively randomized multicenter trial.
Angele
M K
MK
Chirurgische Klinik und Poliklinik, Klinikum Grosshadern, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität, München. mangele@aol.com
Löhe
F
F
Dietz
J
J
Hernandez-Richter
T
T
Jauch
K W
KW
Heiss
M M
MM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D046449:Hernia, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene