title: Open and laparoscopic approach in incisional hernia repair with ePTFE prosthesis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze the results of incisional hernia laparoscopic and open surgery, focusing on the morbidity and postoperative implications.
  
  
  METHODS
  A group of 106 (42 men, 64 women) patients suffering from incisional hernias were treated with either a laparoscopic (30) or an open (76) placement of a prosthetic mesh between January 1997 and December 2004. The age and gender of the patients, the size and type of the mesh, operation note, the length of postoperative hospital stay, and morbidity were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) mesh was used in 103 patients, whereas a polypropylene mesh was used in 3 patients. In the open technique, 3 patients with the ePTFE prosthetic material developed a mesh infection and required a mesh removal, which was easily performed under local anesthesia. Moreover, 2 patients from the same group developed a hernia recurrence. As for the laparoscopic approach, the only complication observed was one hernia recurrence. Finally, it should be mentioned that 1 patient with a polypropylene mesh developed a colocutaneous fistula.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The benefits of the laparoscopic mesh technique, compared to the open technique, include a shorter hospital stay, less postoperative pain, and possibly, a reduction in wound and mesh complications. Regarding the recurrence rate, the two techniques show similar results.
authors.affiliation: 3rd Department of Surgery, Athens General Hospital, Athens, Greece. gnzografos@yahoo.com
authors.forename: George N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Zografos
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mitropapas
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vasiliadis
authors.forename: Athanasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Farfaras
authors.forename: Chrisanthi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ageli
authors.forename: Elias
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Margaris
authors.forename: Iraklis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tsipras
authors.forename: Alekos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koliopanos
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pateras
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Papastratis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D017577:Cutaneous Fistula / Q000209:etiology; D020878:Device Removal; D005260:Female; D006555:Hernia, Ventral / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007412:Intestinal Fistula / Q000209:etiology; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011126:Polypropylenes; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000209:etiology; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011126:Polypropylenes; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene