Eva Barbara Deerenberg1, Sharbel Adib Elhage2, Jenny Meng Shao3, Robert Lopez4, Robert Joseph Raible4, Kent Williams Kercher2, Paul Dominick Colavita2, Vedra Abdomerovic Augenstein2, B Todd Heniford2. 1. Division of Gastrointestinal and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, North Carolina; Department of Surgery, Franciscus Gasthuis en Vlietland, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Electronic address: Eva.b.deerenberg@gmail.com. 2. Division of Gastrointestinal and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, North Carolina. 3. Division of Gastrointestinal and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, North Carolina; Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 4. Charlotte Radiology, Charlotte, North Carolina.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Fascial closure significantly reduces postoperative complications and hernia recurrence after abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR), but can be challenging in massive ventral hernias. METHODS: A prospective single-institution cohort study was performed to examine the effects of preoperative injection of botulinum toxin A (BTA) in patients undergoing AWR for midline or flank hernias. RESULTS: A total of 108 patients underwent BTA injection with average 243 units, mean 32.5 days before AWR, without complications. Comorbidities included diabetes (31%), history of smoking (27%), and obesity (mean body mass index 30.5 ± 7.7). Hernias were recurrent in 57%, massive (mean defect width 15.3 ± 5.5 cm; hernia sac volume 2154 ± 3251 cm3) and had significant loss of domain (mean 46% visceral volume outside abdominal cavity). Contamination was present in 38% of patients. Fascial closure was achieved in 91%, with 57% requiring component separation techniques (CSTs). Subxiphoidal hernias needed a form of CST in 88% compared with 50% for hernia not extending subxiphoidal (P < 0.001). Mesh augmentation was used in 98%. Postoperative complications occurred in 40%: 19% surgical site occurrences, 12% surgical site infections, and 7% respiratory failure requiring intubation, 2% mesh infection and no fascial dehiscence. Recurrence was identified in seven patients after mean 14 months of follow-up. Patients undergoing AWR with CST had more surgical site occurrences (29 versus 7%, p0.003) and respiratory failures (18 versus 0%, P = 0.002) than patients who did not require CST. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with massive ventral hernias, the use of preoperative BTA injections for AWR is safe and is associated with high fascial closure rates and excellent recurrence rates.
BACKGROUND: Fascial closure significantly reduces postoperative complications and hernia recurrence after abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR), but can be challenging in massive ventral hernias. METHODS: A prospective single-institution cohort study was performed to examine the effects of preoperative injection of botulinum toxin A (BTA) in patients undergoing AWR for midline or flank hernias. RESULTS: A total of 108 patients underwent BTA injection with average 243 units, mean 32.5 days before AWR, without complications. Comorbidities included diabetes (31%), history of smoking (27%), and obesity (mean body mass index 30.5 ± 7.7). Hernias were recurrent in 57%, massive (mean defect width 15.3 ± 5.5 cm; hernia sac volume 2154 ± 3251 cm3) and had significant loss of domain (mean 46% visceral volume outside abdominal cavity). Contamination was present in 38% of patients. Fascial closure was achieved in 91%, with 57% requiring component separation techniques (CSTs). Subxiphoidal hernias needed a form of CST in 88% compared with 50% for hernia not extending subxiphoidal (P < 0.001). Mesh augmentation was used in 98%. Postoperative complications occurred in 40%: 19% surgical site occurrences, 12% surgical site infections, and 7% respiratory failure requiring intubation, 2% mesh infection and no fascial dehiscence. Recurrence was identified in seven patients after mean 14 months of follow-up. Patients undergoing AWR with CST had more surgical site occurrences (29 versus 7%, p0.003) and respiratory failures (18 versus 0%, P = 0.002) than patients who did not require CST. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with massive ventral hernias, the use of preoperative BTA injections for AWR is safe and is associated with high fascial closure rates and excellent recurrence rates.
Authors: Michael Katzen; Sullivan A Ayuso; Jana Sacco; Dau Ku; Gregory T Scarola; Kent W Kercher; Paul D Colavita; Vedra A Augenstein; B Todd Heniford Journal: Surg Endosc Date: 2022-08-04 Impact factor: 3.453