Clinical experience in repair of huge incisional hernia with mesh by laparoscopic technique

Objective To investigate the technique and outcome of laparoscopic repair of huge ventral incisional hernia using mesh.Methods The clinical data of 25 patients with huge incisional hernia(abdominal wall defects 12 to 25 cm in length size and 9 to 18 cm in horizontal size, defect area of 108～451 cm2) were analyzed.Results Twenty-one patients(84 %) underwent hernia repair successfully, 4 cases (16 %) were converted to open operation because of extensive adhesions intraperitoneally. The operative time was 78～186 (average 95) min. Postoperative hospital stay was 5 ～8 (average 6.5) days. Eight patients (32 %) had prolonged pain over three months, and nine patients (36 %) had seroma. No death, intestinal fistula ,or infection occurred postoperatively.No recurrence occurred in any of the cases within 6 to 25 months(average eleven months) follow-up.Conclusions The laparoscopic repair of huge incisional hernia using mesh is a new, safe and effective operation.If extensive dense adhesions interfere with dissection ,the procedure should be converted to open operation.