title: Bulging of the mesh after laparoscopic repair of ventral and incisional hernias.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the prevalence, diagnosis, clinical significance, and treatment strategies for bulging in the area of laparoscopic repair of ventral hernia that is caused by mesh protrusion through the hernia opening, but with intact peripheral fixation of the mesh and actually a still sufficient repair.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records of all 765 patients who underwent laparoscopic ventral hernia repair were reviewed, and all patients with a swelling in the repaired area were identified and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-nine patients were identified. They all underwent a computed tomography assessment. Seventeen patients (2.2% of the total group) had a hernia recurrence; in an additional 12 patients (1.6%), radiologic examinations indicated only bulging of the mesh but no recurrence. Bulging was associated with pain in 4 patients who underwent relaparoscopy and got a new, larger mesh tightly stretched over the entire previous repair. Eight asymptomatic patients decided on "watchful waiting." All patients remained symptom free during a median follow-up of 22 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Symptomatic bulging, though not a recurrence, requires a new repair and must be considered as an important negative outcome of laparoscopic ventral hernia repair. In asymptomatic patients, "watchful waiting" seems justified.
authors: Department of Surgery, Twenteborg Hospital, Almelo, The Netherlands. eschoenmaeckers@gmail.com
authors: Ernst J P
authors: EJ
authors: Schoenmaeckers
authors: Eelco B
authors: EB
authors: Wassenaar
authors: Johan T F J
authors: JT
authors: Raymakers
authors: Srdjan
authors: S
authors: Rakic
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