Table of Contents  
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year : 2013  |  Volume : 6  |  Issue : 3  |  Page : 258-262  

A comparative study of onlay and retrorectus mesh placement in incisional hernia repair


Department of Surgery, Padmashree Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pimpri, Pune, Maharashtra, India

Date of Web Publication5-Jul-2013

Correspondence Address:
Kundan Kharde
Padmashree Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pimpri, Pune
India
Login to access the Email id

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/0975-2870.114650

Rights and Permissions
  Abstract 

Introduction: Incisional hernia after abdominal surgery is a well-known complication and the incidence of incisional hernias continues to be 2-11% after laparotomy. The repair of incisional hernia has always been a challenge to the surgeon. Various operative techniques for the repair of incisional hernia are in practice; however, the management is not standardized. The retro-rectus mesh placement or the sub-lay technique, popularized by Rives and Stoppa in Europe, has been reported to be quite effective, with low recurrence rates (0-23%) and minimal complications. Aims and Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the traditional on-lay mesh and retro-rectus mesh placement in incisional hernia repairs in terms of time taken for surgery, early complications (wound infections, Mesh extrusion), and Delayed complications (Recurrence). Materials and Methods: This is a prospective study which was conducted in the surgical department of our hospital. A total of 50 cases were included in this study. Of these cases, 25 cases were operated by the on-lay mesh method and 25 by retro-rectus mesh placement. Only the patients with midline hernias up to 10 cm in diameter were included in the study. Result: The operative time for retro-rectus mesh placement was insignificantly higher than that of on-lay mesh repair, whereas, complications like superficial Surgical site infection SSI were identical in both the study groups, but deep SSI leading to infection of mesh was higher in on-lay mesh repair. The recurrence rate was found to be 4% in on-lay mesh repair and 0% in retro-rectus mesh repair. Conclusion: The follow-up period in this study was 6months; hence, late recurrences were not taken into account. However, the low rate of local complications and the low recurrence rate indicate that retro-rectus mesh repair has an advantage over traditional on-lay repair.

Keywords: Incisional hernia, onlay repair, retrorectus mesh repair


How to cite this article:
Kharde K, Dogra BB, Panchabhai S, Rana KV, Sridharan S, Kalyan S. A comparative study of onlay and retrorectus mesh placement in incisional hernia repair. Med J DY Patil Univ 2013;6:258-62

How to cite this URL:
Kharde K, Dogra BB, Panchabhai S, Rana KV, Sridharan S, Kalyan S. A comparative study of onlay and retrorectus mesh placement in incisional hernia repair. Med J DY Patil Univ [serial online] 2013 [cited 2024 Mar 28];6:258-62. Available from: https://journals.lww.com/mjdy/pages/default.aspx/text.asp?2013/6/3/258/114650


  Introduction Top


Incisional hernia is defined as "Any abdominal wall gap with or without a bulge in the area of a post-operative scar perceptible or palpable by clinical examination or imaging". [1] It is the only hernia considered to be truly iatrogenic. Incisional hernia continues to be one of the common post-operative complications of abdominal surgery. [2] Such hernias can occur after any type of abdominal wall incision, although the highest incidence is seen with midline and transverse incisions. [3] Despite the advances in the understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the abdominal wall, the choice of suture materials and the knowledge of closure techniques, the incidence of incisional hernias continues to be 2-11% after laparotomy. [4] Maximum incidence (63%) of incisional hernia occurs during the first 24 months after surgery. [3],[4]

Several techniques for the repair of incisional hernia have been described from time to time. The initial method for such repair included anatomical repair, but it was associated with a high rate of recurrence. Subsequently, newer techniques have been added, including prosthetic mesh repair and the laparoscopic repair, which havebeen reported to produce better results.

Mesh repair has become the gold standard in the elective management of most incisional hernias. [5] It can be categorized according to the way in which the mesh is placed as well as its relationship to the abdominal wall fascia. Mesh can be placed as an underlay deep to the fascial defect (intra-peritoneal or pre-peritoneal), as an inter-lay either bridging the gap between the defect edges or within the abdominal wall musculoaponeurotic layers (intraparietal), as an on-lay (superficial to the fascial defect), or as a retro-rectus mesh placement. [6]

Despite advances in many fields of surgery, incisional hernias still remain a significant problem. There is a lack of general consensus among health professionals regarding optimal treatment. A surgeon's approach is often based on tradition rather than clinical evidence. An understanding of the structural and functional anatomy of the abdominal wall and an appreciation of the importance of restoring dynamic function are necessary for the successful reconstruction of the abdominal wall. [7]

The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of on-lay mesh repair and retro-rectus mesh placement for repair of incisional hernia.


  Materials and Methods Top


This is a prospective study carried out from April 2010 to September 2012 in 50 patients with Incisional hernia who were admitted inthe surgical department of our hospital. A proforma was designed which included demographic data, signs, symptoms, predisposing risk factors, investigations, diagnosis, type of operative technique, operative time, and complications (immediate and late).

Patients were divided into two groups randomly. Group A included 25 patients managed by traditional on-lay mesh repair. Group B included 25 patients managed by retro-rectus mesh repair, the operating surgeon being same in all the cases.

Inclusion Criteria

Midline hernias upto 10 cm in diameter.

Exclusion Criteria

  • Emergency surgery (incarcerated hernia)
  • Parastomal hernia
  • Primary umbilical, Para umbilical, Spigellian hernias
  • Massive ventral hernias (>10 cm)
  • Associated illness: HIV, Hepatits B Tuberculosis, Uncontrolled Diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease like asthma.
Method

After preliminary investigations, confirmation of diagnosis and pre-anesthetic check-up, the patients were subjected to the required Surgery. Procedure for the first patient was chosen by lottery and subsequent cases were allotted alternatively. The patients underwent the following procedure as per their groups.

Group A

On-lay mesh repair-an overlying incision through the fascia and hernia sac was taken. The entire hernia defect was opened and extended cranially and caudally along the full length of the original incision. Following adhesio-lysis, the hernia sac, fascial scar, and subcutaneous fat was dissected away from the rectus sheath (on both sides) for a lateral distance of 7-10 cm. The peritoneal hernia sac and associated scar tissue was excised. The fascial defect was closed using a continuous looped nylon suture. A Prolene mesh was cut to the appropriate size, with a 5-cm overlap of the defect and sewed longitudinally using (2.0) polypropylene suture to the exposed anterior sheath or external oblique fascia on the lateral sides. Additional quilting sutures were applied at cranial, caudal edges of the mesh and to the central part of the mesh along with the underlying fascia [Figure 1]. A suction drain (Romovac-no. 16) was kept on both the sides over the mesh.
Figure 1: Onlay mesh repair

Click here to view


Group B

Retro-rectus mesh placement-the retro-rectus mesh reinforcement procedure was performed in the similar fashion, with dissection of the sac and subcutaneous fat from the anterior sheath [Figure 2]. On each side, the fascial scar at the inner edge was incised to uncover the rectus muscle, where an open space was created bluntly along the length of the posterior rectus sheath. This layer was then closed using a nylon suture in the midline [Figure 3]. A Prolene mesh was then cut to the appropriate size, with a 5-cm overlap of the defect and placed between the posterior rectus sheath and rectus muscle above the arcuate line, and in the pre-peritoneal space below the arcuate line. The mesh was anchored to the posterior rectus sheath using a polypropylene suture. Quilting sutures were applied at cranial, caudal edges and to the central part of mesh and underlying fascia [Figure 4]. Suction drains (Romovac-no. 16) were placed on both sides between the mesh and rectus muscle. The anterior rectus sheath was closed using nylon suture.
Figure 2: Retrorectus mesh repair(Defect exposed)

Click here to view
Figure 3: Retrorectus mesh repair (Closure of peritoneum and posterior rectus sheath)

Click here to view
Figure 4: Retrorectus mesh placement

Click here to view


Common Procedures for Both Techniques

  • All patients were given intravenous antibiotic prophylactically: Cefotaxime 1 g intravenous single dose at the time of induction of anesthesia and Cefotaxime 1 g intravenous 12-h for a period of 5 days post-operatively
  • Diclofenac 75 mg intramuscular injection was given 8-h for first 24 h, followed by diclofenac (oral) 50 mg 8-h for next 24 h
  • Time was recorded using a stopwatch. The time taken from initial skin incision to skin closure with complete homeostasis was recorded
  • Check dressing was carried out after 48 h. Assessment of wound infection if present, was done as per Southampton scoring system. Wound inspection was done daily and observations were recorded as per the criteria
  • Drain was removed if discharge was less than 10 ml in 24 h
  • Suture removal was carried out on the 14 th post-operative day, and patients were discharged on the 15 th post-operative day if no complications were observed
  • Post-operative visits were scheduled at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. Patients were examined. Wound assessment was done and recurrence if any, was recorded.

  Results Top


Age and Gender

Group A included 25 patients, who underwent traditional on-lay mesh repair of incisional hernia (6 males and 19 females). The age of the patients ranged from 31 to 55 years old with a mean of 53.84 ± 13.05 years. On the other hand, Group B included 25 patients, who underwent retro-rectus mesh repair (9 males and 16 females). The age of the patients in this group ranged from 28 to 57 years old with a mean of 54.24 ± 10.86 years. There was no statistically significant difference between both groups as regards age and gender (P >0.05) [Table 1] and [Table 2].
Table 1: Comparison of age in study groups


Click here to view
Table 2: Sex wise distribution of cases in study group

Click here to view


Predisposing Risk Factors

In our study, 92% of the cases presented with some predisposing risk factors for incisional hernia, however, there was no statistically significant difference between both groups as regards to predisposing risk factors. The most common risk factor was age more than 50 years (Group A-15, Group B-14) followed by obesity (Group A-11, Group B-5), diabetes (Group A-8, Group B-7) and smoking (Group A-2, Group B-7) [Table 3] and [Table 4].
Table 3: Predisposing factors wise comparison in study group

Click here to view
Table 4: Relation of predisposing risk factors in study groups

Click here to view


Operative Time

The operative time in Group A ranged from 50 to 110 min with a mean of 69.8±12.20 min, while in Group B it ranged from 55 to 110 min with a mean of 77.8 ± 10.71 min with no significant difference between both groups [Table 5].
Table 5: Comparison of operative time

Click here to view


Complications

Occurrence of seroma was observed in 4 (16%) patients from Group A and 3 (12%) patients from Group B, and all of them were managed conservatively by repeated aspirations. Deep Surgical site Infection requiring extrusion of mesh was observed in only one (4%) patient from Group A and none in Group B [Table 6]. Complications like hematoma and sinus formation were not observed in this study. The patients were followed-up for a period of 6 months. One recurrence (4%) was encountered in Group A and none in group B [Table 6].
Table 6: Post-operative complications


Click here to view



  Discussion Top


Surgical techniques for the repair of incisional hernias continue to evolve with advances in prosthetic materials and minimally invasive technology. However, the optimal technique for mesh placement has not been established and remains controversial. The main issue is increased risk of infection with the placement of a foreign body in the form of a mesh. The incidence of incisional hernia is highest in the 5 th and 6 th decades of life with a female preponderance. The high female preponderance can be attributed to the majority of index operations being Gynecological operations with a lower midline incision, which result in incisional hernia. This compares favorably with our results, where most of the patients were females.

Some studies suggest that the use of the sub-lay technique as a treatment option for incisional hernia appears to be more complicated than the on-lay technique and should be carried out only by staff surgeons. [8] Elsesy, et al. in their study noted that the operative time for pre-peritoneal mesh repair (74 min) was more than that required for on-lay mesh repair (70 min). [9] In our study, the mean operative time was higher in Group B (77.8 min) as compared to Group A (69.8 min).

Elsesy et al. noted seromain 12.5% of thecases managed by on-lay mesh repair and0% bypre-peritoneal mesh repair. [9] However, Gleysteenetal. found 10.7% seroma rate for on-lay and 16% for pre-peritoneal mesh repair. [10] In the present study, seroma was a complication that was noted in 14% of the total patients. Group A had 16% and Group B had 12% incidence of seroma.

In our study, deep SSI was noted in only one case of Group A, where the mesh got infected and had to be removed. In Group B, there was no incidence of mesh getting infected. Gleysteen, et al., in their study also found that rate of infection was higher in patients treated with on-lay mesh repair than those treated with retro-rectus mesh repair.

A recurrence rate of 4% was observed in Group A, whereas Group B showed 0% recurrence rate, which is quite comparable to international studies. Gleysteen, et al. found 20% recurrence rate for on-lay and 4% for pre-peritoneal mesh repair. [10] Elsesy in his study noted 3.1% recurrence rate for on-lay mesh repair of incisional hernias and 0% for pre-peritoneal mesh repair. [9]


  Conclusions Top


  • The operative time for retro-rectus mesh placement is insignificantly higher than that of on-lay mesh repair
  • Incidences of complications like superficial SSI are similar in both the groups, but Deep SSI leading to infection of mesh is higher in on-lay mesh repair
  • Recurrence rate is higher in on-lay mesh repair than retro-rectus mesh placement
  • Limitation of the study is the limited follow-up period and small sample size, due to which late recurrences could not be taken into account in the present study
  • Though retro-rectus mesh placement is not a new procedure, most of the surgeons refrain from using this method and are still practicing traditional on-lay repair. This study emphasizes the fact that retro-rectus mesh placement is a simple and effective technique with less complications and recurrence, thereby encouraging surgeons to adopt this technique.
Thus, retro-muscular mesh repair may be a good alternative to traditional on-lay mesh repairs, as it has less complications and recurrence rate, but a larger randomized study is required for definitive conclusions and recommendation.

 
  References Top

1.Muysoms FE, Miserez M, Berrevoet F, Campanelli G, Champault GG, Chelala E, et al. Classification of primary and incisional abdominal wall hernias. Hernia 2009;13:407-14.  Back to cited text no. 1
[PUBMED]    
2.Andersen LP, Klein M, Gögenur I, Rosenberg J. Long-term recurrence and complication rates after incisional hernia repair with the open onlay technique. BMC Surg 2009;9:6.  Back to cited text no. 2
    
3.Nieuwenhuizen J, Halm JA, Jeekel J, Lange JF. Natural course of incisional hernia and indications for repair. Scand J Surg 2007;96:293-6.  Back to cited text no. 3
[PUBMED]    
4.Mudge M, Hughes LE. Incisional hernia: A 10 year prospective study of incidence and attitudes. Br J Surg 1985;72:70-1  Back to cited text no. 4
    
5.Chichom Mefire A, Guifo ML. Don't be scared: Insert a mesh! Pan Afr Med J 2011;10:18.  Back to cited text no. 5
    
6.Kingsnorth A. The management of incisional hernia. Ann R Coll Surg Engl 2006;88:252-60.  Back to cited text no. 6
[PUBMED]    
7.Shell DH 4 th , de la Torre J, Andrades P, Vasconez LO. Open repair of ventral incisional hernias. Surg Clin North Am 2008;88:61-83.  Back to cited text no. 7
    
8.Korenkov M, Paul A, Sauerland S, Neugebauer E, Arndt M, Chevrel JP, et al. Classification and surgical treatment of incisional hernia. Results of an experts' meeting. Langenbecks Arch Surg 2001;386:65-73.  Back to cited text no. 8
[PUBMED]    
9.Elsesy A, Balba MA, Badr M, Latif MA. Retormascular preperitoneal versus traditional onlay mesh repair intreatment of incisional hernias. Menoufiya Med J 2008;21:209-20.  Back to cited text no. 9
    
10.Gleysteen JJ. Mesh-reinforced ventral hernia repair: Preference for 2 techniques. Arch Surg 2009;144:740-5.  Back to cited text no. 10
[PUBMED]    


    Figures

  [Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3], [Figure 4]
 
 
    Tables

  [Table 1], [Table 2], [Table 3], [Table 4], [Table 5], [Table 6]


This article has been cited by
1 A PROSPECTIVE STUDY ON PREDISPOSING FACTORS FOR VARIOUS VENTRAL HERNIA CASES IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL
Hariharan B, Devendra Kumar Prajapati, Prashant Shrivastava
GLOBAL JOURNAL FOR RESEARCH ANALYSIS. 2023; : 107
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
2 A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN ONLAY AND SUBLAY MESH REPAIR IN THE MANAGEMENT OF INCISIONAL HERNIA
P. Meghana Sushma, R. Mahalakshmi
INDIAN JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH. 2022; : 67
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
3 Comparative study between sublay (retrorectus) and onlay mesh placement in ventral hernia repair at a teaching hospital
JuthikaaAbhijit Deherkar, PravinEknath Borkar, KshitijRaghunath Kakade, RavindranShankarrao Kharat, SalmanNaseem Shaikh
Formosan Journal of Surgery. 2022; 55(6): 215
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
4 ONLAY VERSUS SUBLAY REPAIR AFTER INCISIONAL HERNIA: WHICH TECHNIQUE TO PREFER?
Mezjda Rashaan
JOURNAL OF SULAIMANI MEDICAL COLLEGE. 2021; 11(1): 77
[Pubmed] | [DOI]



 

Top
   
 
  Search
 
    Similar in PUBMED
   Search Pubmed for
   Search in Google Scholar for
 Related articles
    Access Statistics
    Email Alert *
    Add to My List *
* Registration required (free)  

 
  In this article
Abstract
Introduction
Materials and Me...
Results
Discussion
Conclusions
References
Article Figures
Article Tables

 Article Access Statistics
    Viewed8033    
    Printed156    
    Emailed0    
    PDF Downloaded576    
    Comments [Add]    
    Cited by others 4    

Recommend this journal