Prosthetic implants for hernia repair.
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Foreign-Body Reaction↗
Biomedical subjects
V Schumpelick
Publications and source records attributed to V Schumpelick.
[Long-term results after Spitzy's umbilical hernia repair].
A total of 140 patients presenting with umbilical hernia underwent Spitzy's operation and were included in a retrospective study to analyse the recurrence rate. The patients received a questionnaire and were invited for a physical examination including ultrasound. Participation included 108 patients (follow-up 77%). A total of seven patients (6.5%) developed postoperative wound infections. Prolonged postoperative impairment was mentioned by nine patients (8.3%). After a mean period of 16 days, the patients were able to continue their occupation, and after 27 days, they could manage their usual physical activity. The recurrence rate was 13.0%. The risk for a recurrence correlated with the relative bodyweight. In the group with a body-mass-index (BMI) of less than 30, the recurrence rate was 8.1 %, whereas 31.8% of the patients with a BMI of more than 30 developed a recurrent hernia. The size of the hernial orifice also had an influence on the postoperative result. In patients with a hernial gap smaller than 1 cm the recurrence rate was 6.3%, with hernia orifices from 1 to 2 cm the rate was 4.1%, from 2 to 3 cm 14.3%, from 3 to 4 cm 25.0% and in patients with hernial gaps greater than 4 cm the rate of recurrences was 54.5%. Considering these results,we recommend the use of alloplastic material for umbilical hernia repair for patients with a BMI greater than 30.0 and hernia orifice larger than 3 cm. The decision for use of a mesh in hernial gaps from 2 to 3 cm should depend on individual factors.
Adolescent↗
[Material and structure of drainages].
The long history of surgical drainages stands in contradiction to available and reliable data. As of today, closed systems made of silicone are preferable. Taking possible complications into consideration and the good results of routine operations without drainages, indication for use should be critically evaluated. Interdisciplinary research,however, offers the chance of optimizing material and surface characteristics, biostability, biocompatibility, and flow rates. New drainages with improved performance and reduced side effects may counteract the current tendency to do without.
Animals↗
[Tuberculosis of the gall bladder].
We report a case of gall bladder tuberculosis in a 64-year-old male. The gall bladder is an extremely rare localization of an infectious disease seen frequently worldwide--tuberculosis. The reason for this special resistance against the mycobacteria is not clear and is controversial. In imaging, the disease can mimic acute or chronic cholecystitis or carcinoma of the gall bladder. It is important to consider tuberculous cholecystitis in differential diagnosis and to do tuberculin skin tests in case of suspicion. This test is technically easy and cost-effective. Since 1968, isolated tuberculosis of the gall bladder has not been reported in western civilization. This case study was done because of the rareness of the disease,and we review the literature on this topic.
Cholecystectomy↗
[Information on the Internet for patients and general practitioners--critical analysis using the example of inguinal hernia].
INTRODUCTION: The Internet offers an increasing amount of medical information, but its value for surgical patients is doubtful. METHODS: Using "inguinal hernia" as catchword, an amateur search was imitated on a German-speaking metasearch machine. One hundred fifty sites, standardized regarding quality and efficiency,were evaluated. RESULTS: In summary, more than 50% of the sites revealed poor results. Technical appearance, quality of content, and target grouping show big deficiencies. The applicable laws were mostly not respected. The ranking lists of the search machines do not reflect the quality of the sites. CONCLUSION: Patients need competent guides to process surgical information from the Internet. The establishment of a specialized institution to control surgical websites according to quality, content, and legality seems to be needed.
Family Practice↗
[Assisted death in daily surgical practice--an interdisciplinary discussion with examples].
New laws for assisted patient death in The Netherlands and Belgium have resulted in animated discussion about the permissibility of the practice in Germany. Physicians here are being confronted more and more by patients and their relatives with the wish for assisted death. Polls confirm that the majority of this population supports active death assistance, whereas doctors reject it. At a symposium in October 2002 (Clinically Assisted Death and Human Dignity-A Dutch-German Dialogue), case studies illustrating this question were presented. The present study compiles viewpoints of physicians, ethicists, theologians, jurist, politicians, and journalists.
Adult↗
[Ileocecal invagination due to a benign small intestine tumor. A case report].
We report a case of postoperative ileocecal invagination in a 63-year-old male. Forty-six days after esophageal resection and gastric tube reconstruction with cervical anastomosis for an esophageal carcinoma, the patient suffered from colicky pain in the right abdomen. The diagnostics showed an ileocecal invagination up to the right flexure of the colon. The invagination was based on a leiomyoma of the terminal ileum. Because of necrosis of the mucous membrane, an ileocecal resection with ileoascendostomy could not be avoided. We discuss this case on the basis of the existing literature.
Humans↗
Caecal-diverticulitis: a rare differential diagnosis for right-sided lower abdominal pain.
OBJECTIVE: There are several differential diagnoses for acute abdominal discomfort with pain referred to the right lower quadrant region. The objective of this report is to outline our experience with diverticulitis of the caecum, which is a rare condition that is particularly difficult to diagnose correctly pre-operatively. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of acute diverticulitis of the caecum was performed over the period from January 1992 to December 2000 within the Surgical Department of the RWTH Aachen, Germany. The progress of each patient was assessed by interviewing the patient and by telephone contact with the patient's general practitioner. RESULTS: Seven patients with isolated infective diverticulitis of the caecum were encountered in the course of this study. In five of these cases, the pre-operative diagnosis was either unclear or incorrect. Four patients underwent surgery for suspected appendicitis. In one patient, the diverticulitis was diagnosed during laparoscopic surgery undertaken for presumed adnexal disease. Intestinal continuity was restored in all cases. The postoperative course was uneventful. CONCLUSIONS: Right-sided caecal diverticulitis is rare in comparison to diverticulitis of the sigmoid or descending colon. Nevertheless, it should be actively considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with acute tenderness in the right lower abdominal region.
Abdominal Pain↗
[Functional results and quality of life after proctocolectomy and ileal J-pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis].
BACKGROUND: Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is the surgical standard in the therapy of ulcerative colitis. It was the aim of the present study to evaluate functional long-term results and correlate them with quality of life. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 37 patients with a follow-up of more than 5 years were included. Functional results and quality of life were assessed by standardised questionnaires (modified Kelly-Hohlschneider-Score, EORTC QLQ-C30). RESULTS: 24 of 37 patients could be evaluated. Median follow-up was 8 (5-13) years. Postoperative stool- frequency was 5.5 +/- 1.7/d. When compared with the preoperative situation, patients suffered less from urgency. Stool-frequency and -consistency, soiling and sensibility remained unchanged. 83 % of patients had a subjective increase of life quality with the ileoanal pouch. The quality of life index was almost normal with 83 (28-100) %. Patients with postoperative complications had a significant decrease of life quality when compared to patients with uneventful course. There was no statistically significant correlation of life quality with age, gender or stool continence. CONCLUSIONS: Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis leads to a long-term increase of stool frequency with partially impaired stool continence. Patients with uneventful course have a significantly better life quality.
Adolescent↗
Temporary closure of the abdominal wall (laparostomy).
The definitive closure of the abdominal wall, i.e., a closure of the fascial layer and skin may not be favorable in the treatment of numerous surgical conditions, e.g., peritonitis, trauma, or mesenteric ischemia. In these cases, the abdominal wall is temporarily closed, and a laparostomy is created to facilitate re-exploration or to prevent abdominal compartment syndrome. Regarding the technique and material used for the temporary closure, no prospective randomized data exists, but mesh materials are commonly used. They provide drainage of infectious material, permit visual control of the underlying viscera, facilitate access to the abdominal wall, preserve the fascial margin, enable healing by secondary intention, and allow mobilization of the patient. In the case of decreasing intra-abdominal pressure, meshes can be trimmed to centralize the rectus muscle and to facilitate definitive closure. Non-absorbable meshes have been frequently reported to cause enteric fistulae and persistent infection necessitating mesh explantation. While these infectious complications appear to occur less frequently with the use of absorbable materials, these meshes will finally lead to an incisional hernia, requiring repair with non-absorbable mesh after a period of 6-12 months. Nevertheless, in the complex situation requiring a temporary abdominal wall closure, use of absorbable mesh material is common and represents the state of the art.
Abdominal Cavity↗
2002 - AHS meeting minutes at Tucson.
At the American Hernia Society meeting held in May 2002, researchers presented their experiences, techniques, and studies.
Herniorrhaphy↗
Influence of laparotomy closure technique on collagen synthesis in the incisional region.
BACKGROUND: Variations of suture technique have an influence on the mechanical strength of laparotomy wounds. To investigate whether these differences in biomechanical properties influence collagen synthesis in the incisional region, an animal experiment on laparotomy closure was performed. MATERIAL: In 100 rats median laparotomies were closed with polypropylene. Continuous and single sutures were applied with variations of suture length to wound length (SLWL) ratio and suture tension. METHODS: Tissue samples from the incisional region after 2 and 4 weeks were analysed spectro-photometrically for the concentration of collagen protein and by digital image analysis for the percentage of collagen type III. RESULTS: Running closure with an SLWL ratio >or=4:1 resulted in a significantly higher concentration of collagen protein than single sutures with the same SLWL ratio. In contrast, single closure with an SLWL ratio <4:1 led to in a higher collagen protein concentration than running closure with the same SLWL ratio. With an SLWL ratio >or=4:1 running sutures resulted in a significant reduction of the percentage of collagen type III after 4 weeks compared to single sutures. Closure with high suture tension led to a significant reduction of collagen protein between the 2nd and 4th week but left the percentage of collagen type III mostly unaffected. CONCLUSION: Suture technique, SLWL ratio, and suture tension have an effect on the ultrastructural composition of the regenerating tissue. This influence outlasts the period of tissue restructuring during which the presence of sutures in the incisional edges is absolutely required. Running sutures with an SLWL ratio >or=4:1 and low suture tension promote a favourable collagen composition of the incisional region.
Animals↗
Intra-abdominal pressure: a reliable criterion for laparostomy closure?
BACKGROUND: Laparostomy is frequently performed in the surgical therapy of mechanical obstruction, peritonitis, or trauma to prevent abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS). Extended incisional hernia is inevitable when fascial closure is missed (up to 90% of cases). Intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) has not yet been evaluated as a criterion for the feasibility of fascial closure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Over 12 months laparostomy was carried out in 40 patients. Definitive closure of the abdomen was performed after 4.4+/-3.7 days in 23 of these. Intravesical pressure was used to assess IAP before and after fascial closure. The resulting IAP was compared to the values of 90 patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery. Parameters of cardiocirculatory, renal, pulmonary, and liver function were also recorded. RESULTS: After closure of the laparostomy IAP increased significantly from 6.5+/-3.3 to 12.0+/-4.1 mmHg. Urine output decreased by 27% on the first postoperative day but regained normal levels thereafter. The central venous pressure increased by 31%. Other parameters of cardiocirculatory, renal, pulmonary, and liver function were unchanged. No case of ACS occurred. In the patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery IAP ranged from 6.5+/-2.1 to 10.0+/-4.0 mmHg. CONCLUSIONS: Fascial closure increased the IAP, which was accompanied by short-termed decrease in urine output. At these levels of IAP fascial closure appears to be harmless, but further prospective studies are needed to determine the critical level of IAP for allowing a safe repair of large fascial defects.
Abdominal Cavity↗
Childbirth and incontinence: a prospective study on anal sphincter morphology and function before and early after vaginal delivery.
PURPOSE: Disturbance of anal continence is a well-known problem after vaginal delivery. However, only few and incongruent data on the incidence and pathogenesis of postpartum incontinence are available. This study examined the effects of vaginal delivery on anal continence prospectively. METHODS: In 42 unselected women anal vector manometry and endoanal ultrasonography were performed, and pudendal nerve terminal motor latency (PNTML) and rectal sensibility were measured in the 32th week of pregnancy and 6 weeks after delivery. Continence was evaluated according to the Kelly-Holschneider score. Patients with occult sphincter defects were additionally followed-up 12 weeks after vaginal delivery. To exclude any effect of pregnancy alone ten patients with elective cesarian section served as controls. RESULTS: Overall continence after vaginal delivery did not differ significantly from that before delivery, there was a significant reduction in postpartum anal squeeze and resting pressures in all patients. Obstetric tears of grade III or IV occurred in 9% of the patients. Endosonography revealed occult lesions of the internal and external anal sphincter in an additional 19% of women who clinically seemed to have an intact sphincter. Manometric results and continence in these women did not differ significantly from those with intact sphincter and remained unchanged after 12 weeks. PNTML and rectal sensibility were not affected by vaginal delivery. After cesarian section there were no changes in continence, anal pressures, rectal sensibility, or PNTML. CONCLUSIONS: Vaginal delivery leads to direct mechanical trauma to the anal sphincters, while stretch and distension of the pudendal nerve seem to be of minor importance. Only endoanal ultrasonography is suitable for detection of occult sphincter lesions.
Adult↗
Is laparoscopic cholecystectomy a mature operative technique?
BACKGROUND: More than 10 years after its introduction, laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the method of choice for the treatment of cholecystolithiasis. However intraoperative difficulties with dramatic postoperative consequences have been reported. The aim of this study was to identify what role the two-dimensional view, the surgeon's experience, the instruments, technical tools and their (time) influence exercised on the operation course in daily laparoscopic operations. METHODS: The operative times for 30 laparoscopic cholecystectomies were investigated by ergonomic sequence analysis and analyzed statistically with the use of the Wilcoxon test. RESULTS: Comparing experienced and less experienced surgeons, a significant difference in the duration of the operation was observed (56 +/- 24 min compared to 75 +/- 13 min p = 0,025), especially in the laparoscopic intra-abdominal phase of the operation. The prolonged duration of the operation (15-20%) was mainly due to problems with the technical tools (40%) and the use of instruments (23.5%). Visualization had a minor influence (14.4%) on the duration of the operation, and the negative effect of the two-dimensional view (0.5%) was negligible. The last two factors did not cause any complications. CONCLUSIONS: The recognized difficulties still cause a loss of time and in some cases complications, which can only partly be compensated by the surgeon's experience. This leads to reluctance in the application of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in more complicated stages of the disease. Two-dimensional view satisfies the surgeon's demands for a safe procedure.
Acute Disease↗
Do multifilament alloplastic meshes increase the infection rate? Analysis of the polymeric surface, the bacteria adherence, and the in vivo consequences in a rat model.
Within the last decade hernia surgery has changed from suture repair to mesh repair. Biomaterials, and multifilaments in particular, are thought to increase the risk of infection. Therefore, the aim of this study was to study the influence of the presence of either a monofilament or a multifilament mesh material on the bacterial infection risk. The filament surface of a monofilament and a multifilament mesh were calculated on the basis of a theoretical model. The adherence of Staphylococcus aureus was measured in vitro by fluorescence analysis. Additionally, the two mesh materials (8-mm platelets) were implanted subcutaneously in Sprague-Dawley rats with daily surveillance for clinical signs of infection. After 7 days the meshes were explanted for histological and microbiological analysis. Calculations of the mesh surface area revealed a higher level for the multifilament mesh. The extent of adherent bacteria corresponded to the estimated filament surface in vitro. In vivo, the implantation of meshes in the presence of 5 x 10(6) S. aureus did not show an increased infection rate in rats with either monofilament or multifilament material, compared to the control groups (mesh implantation without S. aureus contamination). However, after 7 days bacteria were still detectable in the majority of the implantation sites, and a clinically inapparent intensification of local inflammation and fibrosis was induced. The increased surface area of a multifilament meshes promotes the persistence of bacteria in the implant bed, though this alone is not sufficient to create a clinically apparent infection. This might explain the development of mesh-related infections after a delay of several months or even years. In vivo, the adherence of bacteria to the implant material depends on the surface area, which favors the use of monofilament materials.
Animals↗
Impact of polymer pore size on the interface scar formation in a rat model.
BACKGROUND: The surgical therapy of hernias is increasingly based on reinforcement with alloplastic material, in particular surgical meshes. The biological response to these foreign bodies largely depends on the selected material and its structure. In comparison to the physiological scar process following a simple abdominal wall incision, the chronic inflammation at the interface to the polymers lead to specific morphological alterations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study two meshes with different pore sizes were implanted into rats: a heavy-weight and small-pore-sized mesh (hw-mesh) made of nonabsorbable polypropylene monofilaments and a low-weight large-pore-sized mesh consisting of polypropylene and of absorbable polyglactin multifilaments (lw-mesh). A suture repair of a laparotomy served as control. After 7, 14, 21, and 90 days the mesh area was analyzed with regard to tissue and cellular response. RESULTS: Over the whole observation period morphometric analysis indicated an improved integration of the lw-mesh with reduction of both inflammation and fibrosis, whereas the hw-mesh induced an intense chronic inflammation concomitant with an intensified bridging scar reaction. On the cellular level these findings correspond to an elevated cell turnover, characterized by increased rates of apoptotic and proliferating cells. In contrast, the tissue reaction to the lw-mesh achieved levels almost similar to those of the physiological scaring process in the control group. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the present data confirm the development of a chronic inflammatory foreign body reaction at the interface to both hw-meshes and lw-meshes; however, the use of lw-meshes showed superior tissue integration. With regard to the quite similar polymer surface the pore size appears to be of major importance in tissue reaction and for the biocompatibility of mesh structures.
Animals↗
A 24-h pneumoperitoneum leads to multiple organ impairment in a porcine model.
BACKGROUND: An intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) of 15 mm Hg reduces intestinal organ perfusion in humans and animals, but it is unknown whether this results in organ damage. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if an IAP of 15 mm Hg lasting for 24 h in a porcine model will lead to morphologic impairment of intestinal and adjacent organs. METHODS: We examined 12 intubated and anesthetized domestic pigs (51.8 +/- 4.4 kg). Using CO2 pneumoperitoneum, the IAP was raised to 15 mm Hg (study group, n = 6) for an investigation period of 24 h. In the control group, the IAP remained unchanged. Investigated parameters were cardiac output (CO), peak inspiratory pressure (PIP), and urine output (UO), as well as serum creatinine, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate, lipase, and alkaline phosphatase (AP). Additionally, histopathological examinations were performed.Results. In comparison to the control, CO did not change, while UO decreased significantly by 59% and PIP increased significantly to more than 30 mbar. Serum ALT and AP increased significantly while there was no change in creatinine, lactate, and lipase. Histopathologically, low-grade liver necrosis (12% of liver lobuli), low-grade proximal tubular epithelial necrosis, and low bowel mucosal damage were observed.Conclusion. In this porcine model, an IAP of 15 mm Hg lasting for 24 h was found to result in functional and morphologic impairment of lungs, liver, kidneys, and bowel. These results imply that a prolonged IAP of 15 mm Hg predisposes to multiorgan dysfunction and that a safe duration of increased IAP still has to be determined.
Alkaline Phosphatase↗