Evaluation of a workshop to teach a new surgical technique in abdominal wall reconstruction.

Purpose Assess the utility of a hands-on workshop on abdominal wall reconstruction for teaching the posterior components separation (PCS) with transversus abdominis release. Methods Our department has been organizing a training course on abdominal wall reconstruction for the last 6 years. It is a 2-day-long course and 10–12 surgeons with experience in abdominal wall surgery attend to every course. The first day is dedicated to theoretical lectures and two simultaneous live surgeries, and the second day there is a cadaver dissection. Feedback from the trainees was collected at the end of the workshop. A survey was sent to all the surgeons who had completed the course at least a year ago, to inquire how the course had improved their surgical practice. Results From 2013 to April 2017, we have made 15 editions of the course. A total of 192 surgeons from Europe, South Africa and Middle East attended. All the surgeons answered the survey that was carried out at the end of the course. It showed a very high level of satisfaction in more than 98% of the cases. The second survey was answered by 79 surgeons (41.15%). 96% of the surgeons had modified, after attending the course, their way of dealing with complex abdominal wall problems. Only 29% of the surgeons had made a TAR before attending the course, while 86% are performing it after attending the course and 60% do it on a regular basis. In fact, 43% of surgeons have performed more than five posterior component separations in the last year. Conclusions A workshop of abdominal wall surgery that combines live surgery, theoretical content and a cadaver lab can be a very useful tool to expand the use of new surgical techniques.pre-print424 K

Combining anterior and posterior component separation for extreme cases of abdominal wall reconstruction.

Purpose: The closure of midline in abdominal wall incisional hernias is an essential principle. In some exceptional circumstances, despite adequate component separation techniques, this midline closure cannot be achieved. This study aims to review the results of using both anterior and component separation in these exceptional cases. Methods: We reviewed our experience using the combination of both anterior and posterior component separation in the attempt to close the midline. Our first step was to perform a TAR and a complete extensive dissection of the retromuscular preperitoneal plane developed laterally as far as the posterior axillary line. When the closure of midline was not possible, an external oblique release was made. A retromuscular preperitoneal reinforcement was made with the combination of an absorbable mesh and a 50 × 50 polypropylene mesh. Results: Twelve patients underwent anterior and posterior component separation. The mean hernia width was 23.5 ± 5. The majority were classified as severe complex incisional hernia and had previous attempts of repair. After a mean follow-up of 27 months (range 8-45), no case of recurrence was registered. Only one patient (8.33%) presented with an asymptomatic bulging in the follow-up. European Hernia Society's quality of life scores showed a significant improvement at 2 years postoperatively in the three domains: pain (p = 0.01), restrictions (p = 0.04) and cosmetic (p = 0.01). Conclusions: The combination of posterior and anterior component separation can effectively treat massive and challenging cases of abdominal wall reconstruction in which the primary midline closure is impossible to achieve despite appropriate optimization of surgery.post-print1,08 M

Long-term outcomes after prophylactic use of onlay mesh in midline laparotomy.

Background The prevalence of incisional hernias (IHs) is still high after midline laparotomy (ML). There is an increasing body of evidence that prophylactic mesh placement (PMP) can be safe and efficient in the short-term outcomes, but there still are some concerns about the potential long-term complications of these meshes. This study describes our long-term PMP experience. Methods Observational and prospective study including all patients undergoing the use of prophylactic onlay large-pore polypropylene meshes for the closure of ML since 2008 to 2014. Outcome measures included demographics, perioperative details, wound complications, recurrences, reoperations and chronic complications. Results A cohort of 172 patients was analysed: 75% elective surgery, 25% emergency cases. Mean age was 68 years with mean body mass index (BMI) of 28.6 kg/m2. Wound classification: 6.4% clean; 85% clean-contaminated; 1.2% contaminated and 8.1% dirty. Follow-up of patients was up to 8 years (mean: 5 ± 1.6). Two meshes were removed due to chronic infection in first six postoperative months. Of the 13 patients (9.02%) who developed IH, 5 of them have been reoperated for IH repair without any difficulty related to previous mesh. During follow-up, 8 patients have been reoperated for other reasons and the integrity of abdominal wall was also checked. After the comparative study, higher BMI and emergency surgery were still risk factors for IH despite PMP. Conclusions In our setting, the use of polypropylene prophylactic meshes in MLs is safe, efficient and durable.pre-print977 K

Afectación gastroduodenal como presentación inusual de la enfermedad de Crohn

It is relatively uncommon for Crohn’s disease to implicate the gastric and duodenal regions and occasionally it can cause pyloric stenosis, in which medical therapy may be ineffective and surgery might be required. We report two exceptional cases with prepyloric stenosis secondary to Crohn’s disease, aiming to emphasize the clinical suspicion and to describe the diagnostic imaging procedure and surgical treatments.Es relativamente infrecuente que la enfermedad de Crohs afecte al estomago y duodeno y ocasionalmente puede producir estenosis pilórica, en estas situaciones el tratamiento médico suele ser ineficaz y se requiere tratamiento quirúrgico. Se exponen dos casos clínicos excepcionales de estenosis prepilórica asociada a la enfermedad de Crohn, dirigidos a enfatizar en la sospecha clínica y describir el diagnóstico y el tratamiento quirúrgico

Second Look After Retromuscular Repair With the Combination of Absorbable and Permanent Meshes.

Objective: The aim of this study is to describe the macroscopic features and histologic details observed after retromuscular abdominal wall reconstruction with the combination of an absorbable mesh and a permanent mesh. Methods: We have considered all patients that underwent abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR) with the combination of two meshes that required to be reoperated for any reason. Data was extracted from a prospective multicenter study from 2012 to 2019.Macroscopic evaluation of parietal adhesions and histological analysis were carried out in this group of patients. Results: Among 466 patients with AWR, we identified 26 patients that underwent a reoperation after abdominal wall reconstruction using absorbable and permanent mesh. In eight patients, the reoperation was related to abdominal wall issues: four patients were reoperated due to recurrence, three patients required an operation for chronic mesh infection and one patient for symptomatic bulging. A miscellanea of pathologies was the cause for reoperation in 18 patients. During the second surgical procedures made after a minimum of 3 months follow-up, a fibrous tissue between the permanent mesh covering and protecting the peritoneum was identified. This fibrous tissue facilitated blunt dissection between the permanent material and the peritoneum. Samples of this tissue were obtained for histological examination. No case of severe adhesions to the abdominal wall was seen. In four cases, the reoperation could be carried out laparoscopically with minimal adhesions from the previous procedure. Conclusions: The reoperations performed after the combination of absorbable and permanent meshes have shown that the absorbable mesh acts as a protective barrier and is replaced by a fibrous layer rich in collagen. In the cases requiring new hernia repair, the layer between peritoneum and permanent mesh could be dissected without special difficulty. Few intraperitoneal adhesions to the abdominal wall were observed, mainly filmy, easy to detach, facilitating reoperations.post-print6360 K

Abdominal Wall Reconstruction Utilizing the Combination of Absorbable and Permanent Mesh in a Retromuscular Position: A Multicenter Prospective Study.

Background Optimal mesh reinforcement for abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR) in complex hernias remains questionable. Use of biologic, absorbable and synthetic meshes has been described. The idea of using an absorbable mesh (AM) under a permanent mesh (PM) in a retromuscular position may help in these challenging situations. Methods Between 2011 and 2016, consecutive patients undergoing open AWR utilizing an AM as posterior layer reinforcement and configuration of a large PM were identified in a multicenter prospectively maintained database in four hospitals. Main outcomes included demographics, ventral hernia classifications, perioperative data, complications and recurrences. Results A total of 169 complex incisional hernias were analyzed. Mean age was 60.9, with mean body mass index 30.7 (range: 20–46). Location of incisional hernias (IH) was: 80 midline, 59 lateral and 30 midline and lateral. 78% were grade I and II in Ventral Hernia Working Group classification. 52% of patients were discharged with no complication. There were 19% seromas, 13% hematomas, 12% surgical-site infection and 10% skin dehiscence. Only partial mesh removal was necessary in one patient. After a mean follow-up of 26 months (range 15–59), there were five (3.2%) recurrences. Reoperations on patients showed a band of fibrosis separating the peritoneum from the PM. Conclusion The combination of AM with very large PM in the same retromuscular position in AWR seems to be safe. The efficacy with recurrence rates below 4% in complex midline and lateral IH may be explained by the use of larger PMs that are extended and configured with the support of AMs. Reoperations on patients have confirmed the previous experimental reports on the use of the AM.pre-print1351 K

Stepwise transversus abdominis muscle release for the treatment of complex bilateral subcostal incisional hernias.

Background Management of subcostal incisional hernias is particularly complicated due to their proximity to the costochondral limits in addition to the lack of aponeurosis on the lateral side of the abdomen. We present our results of posterior component separation through the same previous incision as a safe and reproducible technique for these complex cases. Methods We present a multicenter and prospective cohort of patients diagnosed with bilateral subcostal incisional hernias on either clinical examination or imaging based on computed tomography from 2014 to 2020. The aim of this investigation was to assess the outcomes of abdominal wall reconstruction for subcostal incisional hernias through a new approach. The outcomes reported were short- and long-term complications, including recurrence, pain, and bulging. Quality of life was assessed with the European Registry for Abdominal Wall Hernias Quality of Life score. Results A total of 46 patients were identified. All patients underwent posterior component separation. Surgical site occurrences occurred in 10 patients (22%), with only 7 patients (15%) requiring procedural intervention. During a mean follow-up of 18 (range, 6–62), 1 (2%) case of clinical recurrence was registered. In addition, there were 8 (17%) patients with asymptomatic but visible bulging. The European Registry for Abdominal Wall Hernias Quality of Life score showed a statistically significant decrease in the 3 domains (pain, restriction, and cosmetic) of the postoperative compared with the preoperative scores. Conclusion Posterior component separation technique for the repair of subcostal incisional hernias through the same incision is a safe procedure that avoids injury to the linea alba. It is associated with acceptable morbidity, low recurrence rate, and improvement in patients’ reported outcomes.pre-print371 K

Outcomes of abdominal wall reconstruction in patients with the combination of complex midline and lateral incisional hernias.

Background The best treatment for the combined defects of midline and lateral incisional hernia is not known. The aim of our multicenter study was to evaluate the operative and patient-reported outcomes using a modified posterior component separation in patients who present with the combination of midline and lateral incisional hernia. Methods We identified patients from a prospective, multicenter database who underwent operative repairs of a midline and lateral incisional hernia at 4 centers with minimum 2-year follow-up. Hernias were divided into a main hernia based on the larger size and associated abdominal wall hernias. Outcomes reported were short- and long-term complications, including recurrence, pain, and bulging. Quality of life was assessed with the European Registry for Abdominal Wall Hernias Quality of Life score. Results Fifty-eight patients were identified. Almost 70% of patients presented with a midline defect as the main incisional hernia. The operative technique was a transversus abdominis release in 26 patients (45%), a modification of transversus abdominis release 27 (47%), a reverse transversus abdominis release in 3 (5%), and a primary, lateral retromuscular preperitoneal approach in 2 (3%). Surgical site occurrences occurred in 22 patients (38%), with only 8 patients (14%) requiring procedural intervention. During a mean follow-up of 30.1 ± 14.4 months, 2 (3%) cases of recurrence were diagnosed and required reoperation. There were also 4 (7%) patients with asymptomatic but visible bulging. The European Registry for Abdominal Wall Hernias Quality of Life score showed a statistically significant decrease in the 3 domains (pain, restriction, and cosmetic) in the postoperative score compared with the preoperative score. Conclusion The different techniques of posterior component separation in the treatment of combined midline and lateral incisional hernia show acceptable results, despite the associated high complexity. Patient-reported outcomes after measurement of the European Registry for Abdominal Wall Hernias Quality of Life score demonstrated a clinically important improvement in quality of life and pain.post-print2.323 K

Prolapso y necrosis intestinal como complicación de un aborto

Prolapse and intestinal necrosis by uterine perforation, is a rare complication, very serious and avoidable, which occurs, usually as a result of the practice of a traumatic obstetric procedure, most of the time, by an instrumental uterine curettage, of an unsafe abortion, also known, as clandestine; in inadequate conditions, with instruments that are not correct, rather unfriendly and performed by unskilled personnel. The aim of this work is to present a clinical obstetric-surgical gynaecological case of prolapse and intestinal necrosis as a complication of an abortion and to perform a brief updated review of the literature. Materials and methods: A retrospective descriptive study was performed, presenting a clinical case. Informed consent and authorization were requested for publication of the case by the teaching and research department of the Alfredo G Paulson hospital. Case report: This was a 19-year-old female patient who underwent an unsafe abortion, where as a serious complication, she had uterine perforation, which led to evisceration of the small intestine, causing ischemia and necrosis thereof, What generated an emerging situation of high mortality, fortunately the timely intervention of a multidisciplinary team, provided good results. conclusions: Prolapse and intestinal necrosis through the vagina, is a potentially serious complication, which should be avoided, implementing control and safety measures for the patient, consider the risk factors that threaten the development of this adversity, drawing up a complete clinical history, using imaging tests, choosing an optimal location and the necessary equipment for performing surgical procedures, observation and continuous monitoring of the patient, in addition to having highly trained medical personnel, to solve an emergencyEl prolapso y necrosis intestinal por perforación uterina, es una complicación poco frecuente, muy grave y evitable, que se produce, generalmente a consecuencia de la práctica de un procedimiento obstétrico traumático, la mayoría de las veces, por un legrado uterino instrumental, de un aborto inseguro, conocido también, como clandestino; en condiciones inadecuadas, con instrumentos que no son los correctos, en lugar poco propicio y realizado por un personal no especializado. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar un caso clínico gineco obstétrico- quirúrgico de prolapso y necrosis intestinal como complicación de un aborto y realizar una breve revisión actualizada de la literatura. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo, presentación de caso clínico. Se solicitó el consentimiento informado y autorización, para publicación del caso por parte del departamento de docencia e investigación del hospital Alfredo G Paulson. Reporte de caso: Se trató de un paciente femenino, de 19 años, que se sometió, a la realización de un aborto inseguro, donde como complicación grave, tuvo perforación uterina, lo que produjo evisceración del intestino delgado, ocasionando isquemia y necrosis del mismo, lo que generó una situación emergente de alta mortalidad. Afortunadamente la intervención oportuna de un equipo multidisciplinario brindó buenos resultados. Discusión:  la importancia y relevancia de la presentación de este caso clínico, es dar a conocer las complicaciones que pueden ocurrir, si se realiza un procedimiento obstétrico en condiciones inadecuadas ; recalcar,  la necesidad de participación de un equipo multidisciplinario,  para resolver dicha eventualidad, cuya detección debe ser temprana y en un hospital que cuente con la complejidad resolutiva, tomando en consideración que, un prolapso y necrosis intestinal  a través de la vagina, no solo se puede manifestar por perforación uterina en un legrado, sino también, por otras causas; como perforación en la cúpula vaginal posterior a una histerectomía,  en pacientes que están expuestas a  radiación pélvica , por desgarro en la pared vaginal después de un parto, por hipoestrogenismo, entre otros.  conclusiones: El prolapso y necrosis intestinal a través de la vagina, es una complicación potencialmente grave,  que debe evitarse, implementando medidas de control y seguridad para el  paciente,  considerar los factores de riesgo  que amenazan el desarrollo de esta adversidad, elaborando historia clínica completa, uso de  exámenes imagenológicos,  elegir un lugar optimo y   los equipos necesarios para realización de los  procedimientos quirúrgicos, observación y monitorización continua  del paciente, además de contar con personal médico altamente  capacitado, para resolver una emergencia

Usefulness of bone turnover markers as predictors of mortality risk, disease progression and skeletal-related events appearance in patients with prostate cancer with bone metastases following treatment with zoledronic acid: TUGAMO study

Owing to the limited validity of clinical data on the treatment of prostate cancer (PCa) and bone metastases, biochemical markers are a promising tool for predicting survival, disease progression and skeletal-related events (SREs) in these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive capacity of biochemical markers of bone turnover for mortality risk, disease progression and SREs in patients with PCa and bone metastases undergoing treatment with zoledronic acid (ZA). Methods: This was an observational, prospective and multicenter study in which ninety-eight patients were included. Patients were treated with ZA (4mg every 4 weeks for 18 months). Data were collected at baseline and 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 months after the beginning of treatment. Serum levels of bone alkaline phosphtase (BALP), aminoterminal propeptide of procollagen type I (P1NP) and beta-isomer of carboxiterminal telopeptide of collagen I (b-CTX) were analysed at all points in the study. Data on disease progression, SREs development and survival were recorded. Results: Cox regression models with clinical data and bone markers showed that the levels of the three markers studied were predictive of survival time, with b-CTX being especially powerful, in which a lack of normalisation in visit 1 (3 months after the beginning of treatment) showed a 6.3-times more risk for death than in normalised patients. Levels of these markers were also predictive for SREs, although in this case BALP and P1NP proved to be better predictors. We did not find any relationship between bone markers and disease progression. Conclusion: In patients with PCa and bone metastases treated with ZA, b-CTX and P1NP can be considered suitable predictors for mortality risk, while BALP and P1NP are appropriate for SREs. The levels of these biomarkers 3 months after the beginning of treatment are especially importantThis study was supported by Novartis Oncology Spai