The Utilization of Laparoscopic Ventral Hernia Repair (LVHR) in Incarcerated and Strangulated Cases: A National Trend in Outcomes

Introduction: Early after its adoption, minimally invasive surgery had limited usefulness in emergent cases. However, with improvements in equipment, techniques, and skills, laparoscopy in complex and emergency operations expanded substantially. This study aimed to examine the trend of laparoscopy in incarcerated or strangulated ventral hernia repair (VHR) over time. Methods: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database was queried for laparoscopic repair of incarcerated and strangulated hernias (LIS-VHR) and compared over 2 time periods, 2014-2016 and 2017-2019. Results: The utilization of laparoscopy in all incarcerated or strangulated VHR increased over time (2014-2016: 39.9% (n = 14 075) vs 2017-2019: 46.3% (n = 18 369), P < .001). Though likely not clinically significant, demographics and comorbidities statistically differed between groups (female: 51.7% vs 50.0%, P = .003; age 54.5 +/- 13.7 vs 55.4 +/- 13.8 years, P < .001; BMI 34.9 +/- 8.0 vs 34.6 +/- 7.8 kg/m(2), P < .001). Patients from 2017 to 2019 were less comorbid (18.9% vs 16.8% smokers, P < .001; 18.2% vs 17.3% diabetic, P = .036; 4.6% vs 4.1% COPD, P = .021) but had higher ASA classification (III: 43.3% vs 45.7%; IV: 2.5% vs 2.7%, P < .001). Hernia types (primary, incisional, recurrent) were similar in each group. Operative time (89.7 +/- 59.3 vs 97.4 +/- 63.4 min, P < .001) became longer but length-of-stay (1.4 +/- 3.3 vs 1.1 +/- 2.6 days, P < .001) decreased. There was no statistical difference in surgical complications, medical complications, reoperation, or readmission rates between periods. Conclusion: Laparoscopic VHR has become a routine method for treating incarcerated and strangulated hernias, and its utilization continues to increase over time. Clinical outcomes have remained the same while hospital stays have decreased.