Outcomes and complications of open, laparoscopic, and hybrid giant ventral hernia repair

BACKGROUND An incisional hernia is a common complication of abdominal surgery. AIM To evaluate the outcomes and complications of hybrid application of open and laparoscopic approaches in giant ventral hernia repair. METHODS Medical records of patients who underwent open, laparoscopic, or hybrid surgery for a giant ventral hernia from 2006 to 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. The hernia recurrence rate and intra- and postoperative complications were calculated and recorded. RESULTS Open, laparoscopic, and hybrid approaches were performed in 82, 94, and 132 patients, respectively. The mean hernia diameter was 13.11 +/- 3.4 cm. The incidence of hernia recurrence in the hybrid procedure group was 1.3%, with a mean follow-up of 41 mo. This finding was significantly lower than that in the laparoscopic (12.3%) or open procedure groups (8.5%; P < 0.05). The incidence of intraoperative intestinal injury was 6.1%, 4.1%, and 1.5% in the open, laparoscopic, and hybrid procedures, respectively (hybrid vs open and laparoscopic procedures; P < 0.05). The proportion of postoperative intestinal fistula formation in the open, laparoscopic, and hybrid approach groups was 2.4%, 6.8%, and 3.3%, respectively (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION A hybrid application of open and laparoscopic approaches was more effective and safer for repairing a giant ventral hernia than a single open or laparoscopic procedure.

Automated summary

The study found that a hybrid application of open and laparoscopic approaches was more effective and safer for repairing a giant ventral hernia than a single open or laparoscopic procedure, with fewer postoperative complications.