[Complications of laparoscopic correction of abdominal wall and incisional hernias].
OBJECTIVE
To give an overview of all negative outcomes of laparoscopic ventral hernia repair.


METHODS
Retrospective cohort study


METHODS
Data from all consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic ventral or incisional hernia repair from January 2000 - May 2010 were summarized in a database. All operative and postoperative complications requiring invasive surgical or radiological intervention were analysed.


RESULTS
A total of 803 patients underwent laparoscopy for hernia repair. Conversion to an open operation (n=24; 3%) was needed in 15 cases due to severe adhesions and in 9 due to enterotomy. Laparoscopic repair was completed in 779 patients (97%). Mean follow-up was 35.6 months (SD: 20.3). There were 17 recurrences (2.2%). Other adverse events were: enterotomies (n = 14; 1.8%: 9 recognized intraoperatively and 5 presented postoperatively); postoperative death due to myocardial infarction (n = 1); death due to mesenteric ischemia (n = 1); intra-abdominal bleeding (n = 3); postoperative ileus (n = 2); ileus long after laparoscopy (n = 2); chronic pain (n = 12; 1.6%); trocar-site hernia (n = 7); late mesh infection (n = 5); symptomatic mesh bulging (n = 4); chronic seroma (n = 1).


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic correction is an effective method of treating hernias of the abdominal wall and recurrence is low. A total of 8.9% of patients had complications requiring re-intervention. Of these only a quarter were recurrences. On its own, the percentage of recurrences is therefore an inadequate indicator of the outcomes of this operation.
Ziekenhuisgroep Twente Almelo, afd. Chirurgie, Almelo, the Netherlands. eschoenmaeckers@gmail.com
Ernst J P
EJ
Schoenmaeckers
Johan F T J
JF
Raymakers
Srdjan
S
Rakic
D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006555:Hernia, Ventral / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult