title: A novel reconstruction method for giant incisional hernia: Hybrid laparoscopic technic.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Laparoscopic reconstruction of ventral hernia is a popular technic today. Patients with large defects have various difficulties of laparoscopic approach. In this study, we aimed to present a new reconstruction technic that combines laparoscopic and open approach in giant incisional hernias.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between January 2006 and August 2012, 28 patients who were operated consequently for incisional hernia with defect size over 10 cm were included in this study and separated into two groups. Group 1 (n = 12) identifies patients operated with standard laparoscopic approach, whereas Group 2 (n = 16) labels laparoscopic technic combined with open approach. Patients were evaluated in terms of age, gender, body mass index (BMI), mean operation time, length of hospital stay, surgical site infection (SSI) and recurrence rate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 12 patients in Group 1 and 16 patients in Group 2. Mean length of hospital stay and SSI rates are similar in both groups. Postoperative seroma formation was observed in 6 patients for Group 1 and in only 1 patient for Group 2. Group 1 had 1 patient who suffered from recurrence where as Group 2 had no recurrence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic technic combined with open approach may safely be used as an alternative method for reconstruction of giant incisional hernias.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Medipol University, Bezmialem Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ozturk
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gokmen
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Bezmialem Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Malya Fatma
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Umit
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Medipol University, Bezmialem Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ersavas
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cenk
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Medipol University, Bezmialem Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ozdenkaya
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Yasar
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Bezmialem Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Bektasoglu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Huseyin
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Bezmialem Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Citgez
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bulent
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Medipol University, Bezmialem Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Karatepe
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Oguzhan