Background and Objectives: There are weak data comparing the safety and efficacy of absorbable and permanent tacks in laparoscopic ventral hernia repair with tack-only mesh fixation. In this study, we compared recurrence and complications rates following hernia repair using either only absorbable or only permanent tacks. Methods: Data from the Americas Hernia Society Quality Collaborative database were retrospectively reviewed as accessed on June 30, 2017. The query included patients 18 years of age or older, who had undergone laparoscopic ventral hernia repair with mesh using tack-only fixation. Study groups were divided into patients who had only absorbable tacks used and those with only permanent tacks. Propensity score matching was applied to strengthen the groups. Results: There were no significant differences in demographics, comorbidities, or hernia characteristics between the groups. There were no significant differences in length of stay, hernia recurrence rate, or surgical site infection. The permanent tack group had a significantly higher rate of surgical site occurrences (SSOs), as evidenced by a higher rate of seroma formation. Conclusion: When comparing the rates of complications and recurrences between absorbable and permanent tacks in the setting of laparoscopic ventral hernia repair with tack-only mesh fixation, the only significant difference found was that the permanent group had a higher rate of SSO due to seroma formation. Because this complication did not lead to an increased intervention rate, the clinical significance of this finding remains in question.

Objective: This study seeks to evaluate the efficacy of negative pressure wound therapy for surgical-site infection (SSI) after open pancreaticoduodenectomy. Background: Despite improvement in infection control, SSIs remain a common cause of morbidity after abdominal surgery. SSI has been associated with an increased risk of reoperation, prolonged hospitalization, readmission, and higher costs. Recent retrospective studies have suggested that the use of negative pressure wound therapy can potentially prevent this complication. Methods: We conducted a single-center randomized, controlled trial evaluating surgical incision closure during pancreaticoduodenectomy using negative pressure wound therapy in patients at high risk for SSI. We randomly assigned patients to receive negative pressure wound therapy or a standard wound closure. The primary end point of the study was the occurrence of a postoperative SSI. We evaluated the economic impact of the intervention. Results: From January 2017 through February 2018, we randomized 123 patients at the time of closure of the surgical incision. SSI occurred in 9.7% (6/62) of patients in the negative pressure wound therapy group and in 31.1% (19/61) of patients in the standard closure group (relative risk = 0.31; 95% confidence interval, 0.13-0.73; P = 0.003). This corresponded to a relative risk reduction of 68.8%. SSIs were found to independently increase the cost of hospitalization by 23.8%. Conclusions: The use of negative pressure wound therapy resulted in a significantly lower risk of SSIs. Incorporating this intervention in surgical practice can help reduce a complication that significantly increases patient harm and healthcare costs.

Tension has always been and remains an important concept in hernia repair. Revolutionary techniques in the field of hernia repair have generally aimed to reduce tension and thereby reduce recurrence rates. Despite the uniformly agreed upon idea that tension is an important part of hernia repair, little is known about this subject in ventral and incisional hernias. We reviewed all published journal articles related to abdominal wall tension. Articles were organized into basic science and clinical reports, and results were evaluated for type and technique of tension measurement and implications for clinical practice. Several cadaveric and clinical studies relate to the measurement of abdominal wall tension. Despite similar methods of measuring, there is no uniformly agreed upon device or measurement. Abdominal wall tension has not been correlated with hernia width, and abdominal wall tension measurement has shown to be a useful adjunct intraoperatively. Abdominal wall tension measurements likely have a role in both the research and clinical practice of hernia surgery.

We describe a method to measure abdominal wall tension during hernia surgery and evaluate a possible correlation between hernia defect width and abdominal wall tension. After Institutional Review Board approval and informed consent, a prospective trial to measure intra-abdominal tension was undertaken (May 2013 through March 2017). Tension measurements were obtained using tensiometers. Total tension, hernia defect width, and surgeon's estimation of tension were recorded. Correlation between defect width and total abdominal wall tension was assessed using multivariate analysis and a multiple linear regression analysis. An r-squared value > 0.6 was considered significant. Fifty-nine patients underwent hernia repair with concomitant tension measurements obtained at surgery. The average patient age was 61 years (range 29–81 years), 85 per cent were white, and 56 per cent female. The average total tension was 6.7 pounds (range 0.2–22 pounds) and average defect width was 8.6 cm (range 2–25 cm). The surgeon rated the fascia to be excellent in 15 per cent, good in 58 per cent, and fair in 27 per cent. The average estimation of tension by the surgeon was 5 pounds (range 2–10 pounds). We found no correlation between hernia defect size and total abdominal wall tension and no correlation between the surgeon-estimated tension and objectively measured tension. We found no correlation between the width of the hernia defect and tension associated with approximating the midline. Further study regarding the practicality and usefulness of abdominal wall tension measurements during hernia surgery is needed.

BACKGROUND:Rates of superficial surgical site infection (SSI) following pancreaticoduodenectomy remain high. Following resection for cancer, complications such as SSI impact adjuvant therapy delivery and portend worse survival. An incisional negative pressure dressing (iVAC) has been demonstrated to reduce SSI in other high-risk cohorts.METHODS:Following a comprehensive effort to identify patients at high risk for SSI, the practice patterns at a single academic center shifted and iVAC use increased. SSI rates were tracked in a prospectively maintained database and are reported.RESULTS:394 patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy over 21 months. 120 patients (30.5%) had an iVAC applied. The overall rate of SSI was 19.8%. On multivariate analysis, increased risk for SSI was associated with neoadjuvant therapy, preoperative biliary interventions and prior abdominal surgery. iVAC use decreased the rate of SSI (OR 0.45, p = 0.015). In the highest-risk patients, SSI rate declined from 50% in patients without an iVAC to 19.1% with iVAC use (p = 0.015).CONCLUSION:The use of an iVAC following pancreaticoduodenectomy is associated with decreased SSI rates. This is particularly true for patients at highest risk as defined by a previously established risk scoring system in patients undergoing open pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Abdominal wall hernias are a common problem. The success of abdominal wall reconstruction decreases with increasing hernia size. This study summarizes the outcomes of one surgeon’s experience using a “sandwich” technique for hernia repair in patients with loss of abdominal domain.

Complex ventral hernia repair (VHR) is a common surgical operation but carries a risk of complications from surgical site infections (SSI) and occurrences (SSO). We aimed to create a predictive risk score to identify patients at increased risk for SSO or SSI within 30 days of surgery.

454 Background: The purpose of this prospective, non-randomized phase II single-institution study was to evaluate if local control can be achieved with reasonable acute and late GI toxicity using fractionated SBRT in patients with unresectable, recurrent, or residual locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). Methods: A total of 24 patients with LAPC were enrolled from June 2013 to August 2014. Eligibility required stability after induction chemotherapy or residual disease or local failure after surgery. Induction chemotherapy regimens consisted of: (1) gemcitabine alone (8%); (2) gemcitabine-based regimens (17%); (3) FOLFIRINOX-based regimens (63%); or (4) combination regimens (13%). Chemotherapy was discontinued one week prior to SBRT. Patients received a median cumulative dose of 33 Gy in 5 fractions (5-6.6 Gy/fraction). Patients were permitted to resume chemotherapy one week post-SBRT. Toxicity was assessed using the NCI CTCAE version 4.0. Results: Of the 24 patients, 58% were male and 50% had tumors in the head of the pancreas. Median age at diagnosis was 66.8 years, and median follow-up from the date of diagnosis was 11.9 months (range, 7.4-29.7 months). There have not been any acute or late grade ≥ 2 gastritis, enteritis, fistula, or ulcer toxicities (primary endpoint). Median OS has not yet been reached, median LPFS was 19.3 months (95% CI, 12.3-14.8), median DMFS was 13.6 months (95% CI, 9.2-17.9) and median PFS was 13.6 months (95% CI, 13.5-25.2). Plasma CA 19-9 level was non-significantly reduced after SBRT, displaying a -9.15 average percent change from baseline (median time after SBRT, 1.2 months). FFLP at 1 year was 83.9%. Eight (33%) patients underwent successful surgery following SBRT, with rates of both margin- and node-negative resection being 75%. Conclusions: Chemotherapy followed by fractionated SBRT results in favorable local control and survival with minimal acute and late GI toxicity. A notable proportion of patients initially deemed unresectable underwent successful resection. This study suggests that SBRT can be safely given following more aggressive multiagent chemotherapy in patients with LAPC. Clinical trial information: NCT01781728.

Background: Sandwich ventral hernia repair (SVHR) may reduce ventral hernia recurrence rates, although with an increased risk of surgical site occurrences (SSOs) and surgical site infections (SSIs). Previously, we found that a modified negative pressure wound therapy (hybrid vacuum-assisted closure [HVAC]) system reduced SSOs and SSIs after ventral hernia repair. We aimed to describe our outcomes after SVHR paired with HVAC closure.Methods: We conducted a 4-y retrospective review of all complex SVHRs (biologic mesh underlay and synthetic mesh overlay) with HVAC closure performed at our institution by a single surgeon. All patients had fascial defects that could not be reapproximated primarily using anterior component separation. Descriptive statistics were used to report the incidence of postoperative complications and hernia recurrence.Results: A total of 60 patients (59.3 +/- 11.4 y, 58.3% male, 75% American Society of Anesthesiologists class >= 3) with complex ventral hernias being underwent sandwich repair with HVAC closure. Major postoperative morbidity (Dindo-Clavien class >= 3) occurred in 14 (23.3%) patients, but incidence of SSO (n = 13, 21.7%) and SSI (n = 4, 6.7%) was low compared with historical reports. Median follow-up time for all patients was 12 mo (interquartile range 5.8-26.5 mo). Hernia recurrence occurred in eight patients (13.3%) after a median time of 20.6 months (interquartile range 16.4-25.4 months).Conclusions: Use of a dual layer sandwich repair for complex abdominal wall reconstruction is associated with low rates of hernia recurrence at 1 year postoperatively. The addition of the HVAC closure system may reduce the risk of SSOs and SSIs previously reported with this technique and deserves consideration in future prospective studies assessing optimization of ventral hernia repair approaches. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

To present a validated model that reliably predicts unplanned readmission after open ventral hernia repair (open-VHR).

Background: Although pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) outcomes have improved,. complications including surgical site infection (SSI) remain common. We present a stratification tool to predict risk for SSI after PD.Methods: Data was retrospectively reviewed on all patients undergoing PD at a tertiary hospital (9/2011-8/2014). Potential SSI risk factors identified by univariate analysis were incorporated into a multivariate logistic regression model. The resulting odds ratios were converted into a point system to create an SSI risk score with internal validation.Results: Six hundred seventy nine patients underwent PD and were chronologically split into derivation (443 patients) and validation (236 patients) groups. There was no difference in demographics or perioperative outcomes between groups. Overall thirty-day SSI was olperved in 17.2% (n = 117). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiation, intraoperative red blood cell transfusion, operative time greater than 7 h, preoperative bile stent/drain, and vascular resection were associated with SSI in univariate analysis (all p < 0.05). On multivariate analysis, preoperative bile stent/drain and neoadjuvant chemotherapy were independent predictors of SSI, each assigned 1 point (both p < 0.001). Patients with 0, 1, and 2 points, respectively, had 0%, 32%, and 64% predicted risk of SSI (AUC = 0.73, R-2 = 0.93). The model performed equivalently in the validation group (AUC = 0.77, R-2 = 0.99).Conclusion: This novel, validated risk score accurately predicts SSI risk after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Identifying the highest risk patients can help target interventions to reduce SSI.

Ventral hernia repair (VHR) is a commonly performed operation, but analysis of patient outcomes based upon hernia size is lacking. We sought to identify differences in operative repair and post-operative morbidity and mortality after open VHR based on hernia defect size.

Inguinal hernias are among the most common clinical entities encountered by general surgeons. Most defects are small, relatively benign, and easily repaired using standardized and broadly accepted techniques. Large hernias that extend below the mid-point of the inner thigh in the standing position, known as giant inguinal hernias (GIH), are uncommon in the Western world. We present the case of a 71-year-old man who presented with a giant left inguinoscrotal hernia that extended below the knee and was complicated by symptoms of intractable constipation, exercise intolerance, and weakness. This hernia was repaired utilizing an open abdominal midline approach, with retroperitoneal reinforcement of the fascial defect using prosthetic mesh according to the method first described by Stoppa. A long segment of sigmoid colon was entrapped within and densely adherent to the scrotum, necessitating segmental resection with creation of an end colostomy. This was reversed in a subsequent procedure. Several months after his operation, the patient has returned to normal activities without recurrence of prior abdominal symptoms. Although challenging even in the hands of experienced surgeons, surgical correction remains the only mode of treatment that offers patients with GIH satisfactory quality of life.

BackgroundLarge, composite abdominal wall defects represent complex problems requiring a multidisciplinary approach for reconstruction. Abdominal wall vascularized composite allotransplantation (AW-VCA) has been successfully performed in 21 patients, already receiving solid organ transplants, to provide immediate abdominal closure. The current study aims to establish a novel anatomic model for AW-VCA that retains motor and sensory function in an effort to preserve form and function while preventing complications.MethodsThree fresh cadaver torsos were obtained. Dissection was started in the midaxillary line bilaterally through the skin and subcutaneous fascia until the external oblique was encountered. The thoracolumbar nerves were identified and measurements were obtained. A peritoneal dissection from the costal margin to pubic symphysis was performed and the vascular pedicle was identified for subsequent microsurgical anastomosis.ResultsThe mean size of the abdominal wall graft harvested was 615120 cm(2). The mean time of abdominal wall procurement was approximate to 150 +/- 12 minutes. The mean number of thoracolumbar nerves identified was 5 +/- 1.4 on each side. The mean length of the skeletonized thoracolumbar nerves was 7.8 +/- 1.7 cm. The cross-sectional diameter of all nerves as they entered the rectus abdominis was greater than 2 mm.ConclusionsMotor function and sensory recovery is expected in other forms of vascularized composite allotransplantation, such as the hand or face; however, this has never been tested in AW-VCA. This study demonstrates feasibility for the transplantation of large, composite abdominal wall constructs that potentially retains movement, strength, and sensation through neurotization of both sensory and motor nerves.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) complicate the postoperative course of a significant proportion of general abdominal surgical patients and are associated with excessive health care costs. SSIs increase postoperative morbidity and mortality, and may require hospital admission, intravenous antibiotics, and even surgical reintervention. Risks associated with SSIs are related to both host and perioperative factors. However, a vast majority of these infections are preventable. More recently, quality initiative programs such as American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program are expanding their roles to help better monitor adherence to improvement measures. Indeed, standardizing preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis timing is perhaps the most persuasive example and this has been integral to reducing postoperative SSI rates. Herein, the authors provide an update on the epidemiology, risk factors, identification, and management of wound infections following abdominal surgery.

PURPOSE:The authors evaluated the ability of a fibrin sealant (TISSEEL™: Baxter Healthcare Corp, Deerfield, IL, USA) to reduce the incidence of post-operative seroma following abdominal wall hernia repair.METHODS:We performed a 4-year retrospective review of patients undergoing abdominal wall hernia repair, with and without TISSEEL, by a single surgeon (FEE) at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Demographics, surgical risk factors, operative data and 30-day outcomes, including wound complications and related interventions, were compared. The quantity and cost of Tisseel per case was reviewed.RESULTS:A total of 250 patients were evaluated: 127 in the TISSEEL group and 123 in the non-TISSEEL control group. The average age for both groups was 56.6 years (P = 0.97). The majority of patients were female (TISSEEL 52.8%, non-TISSEEL 56.1%, P = 0.59) and ASA Class III (TISSEEL 56.7%, non-TISSEEL 58.5%, P = 0.40). There was no difference in the average defect size for both groups (TISSEEL 217 ± 187.6 cm(2), non-TISSEEL 161.3 ± 141.5 cm(2), P = 0.36). Surgical site occurrences occurred in 18.1% of the TISSEEL and 13% of the non-TISSEEL group (P = 0.27). There was a trend towards an increased incidence of seroma in the TISSEEL group (TISSEEL 11%, non-TISSEEL 4.9%, P = 0.07). A total of $124,472.50 was spent on TISSEEL, at an average cost of $995.78 per case.CONCLUSIONS:In the largest study to date, TISSEEL™ application offered no advantage for the reduction of post-operative seroma formation following complex abdominal hernia repair. Moreover, the use of this sealant was associated with significant costs.

The significance of indeterminate pulmonary nodules (IPNs) in patients undergoing resection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is unknown. We sought to define the prevalence and impact of IPN in such patients.