Laparoscopic hernia complexity predicts operative time and length of stay.
OBJECTIVE
Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR) is associated with shorter hospitalization and lower complication rates compared to open ventral hernia repair. We sought to determine if hernia-related factors, such as defect size and re-operative status correlate with postoperative complications, operative times and length of stay (LOS).


METHODS
The study is a retrospective review of 30-day perioperative outcomes following LVHR in 91 patients who underwent surgery at a single institution from August 2009 through June 2012. A single surgeon performed all procedures.


RESULTS
Indications for surgery were recurrent incisional hernia in 33 % of patients and primary incisional or ventral abdominal hernias in the rest. Coated polyester mesh with an average size of 348 cm(2) (±214; range 113-1,036) was used. Mean operative time was 132 min (±66.1; range 53-412). The mean LOS was 4.0 days (±3.5; range 1-22). Complications occurred in 13 patients for overall morbidity of 16.5 % and no mortality. There was one recurrence in 30 days (1.1 %). Patients who had a surgery >120 min or a LOS >1 day were statistically more likely to have multiple hernias, larger defect sizes (>40 cm(2)), larger mesh sizes (>300 cm(2)) or a history of recurrent hernia (P < 0.05). No other clinical or demographic variable evaluated in this study correlated with operative time or LOS.


CONCLUSIONS
LVHR is safe with a low incidence of perioperative complications. Patients with multiple, larger and recurrent hernias have longer operative times and LOS. This information can be used to guide preoperative planning for the patient, surgeon and treating institution.
Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, 9200 West Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA.
A R
AR
Butler
M J
MJ
Frelich
J C
JC
Gould
M I
MI
Goldblatt
D005260:Female; D006555:Hernia, Ventral / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D059685:Herniorrhaphy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061646:Operative Time; D011091:Polyesters / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013526:Surgical Mesh / Q000009:adverse effects; D014922:Wisconsin
D011091:Polyesters; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; C025539:Lavsan