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Introduction: Preoperative botolinum toxin A (BTA) administration to the lateral abdominal wall has been widely used since its introduction for treating complex abdominal wall defects and loss of domain (LOD) hernias. Intraoperative fascial traction (IFT) is an established technique for complex abdominal wall hernias exceeding a width of 10 cm and has also shown auspicious results. We present our single center data including 143 consecutive cases combining both techniques from 2019 to 2023. Aim of the study was to develop an algorithm for a tailored approach for very large and complex ventral abdominal wall hernias. Methods: Consecutive patients treated with preoperative BTA and IFT from August 2019 to December 2023 were identified in our prospectively maintained database and reviewed retrospectively. Metrics included intraoperative findings and short-term (30 days) postoperative outcomes. Results: 143 patients were included in our retrospective analysis. The mean age was 58.9 years and 99% of all patients had an ASA Score of II or III with a mean body mass index of 32.4 kg/m2. The mean intraoperative reduction of fascia-to-fascia after BTA and IFT was 9.81 cm. 14 patients either had a lateral defect or a combination of a midline and lateral hernia. An additional uni- or bilateral transverse abdominis release (TAR) was necessary in 43 cases (30.1%). The overall surgical site occurrence rate (SSO) was 30.1% of which 13.8% were surgical site infections (SSI). Re-operation and SSO rates were significantly higher if an additional TAR was performed (both p = 0.001; α = 0.05). Conclusions: IFT in combination with BTA is a transformative and clinically proven tool in the surgeons' toolbox. It might be an easier, and less invasive alternative to other available techniques in many cases, but it should not be looked at as an ultimate stand-alone method to treat all complex W3 hernias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Resorbable biomaterials have been developed to reduce the amount of foreign material remaining in the body after hernia repair over the long-term. However, on the short-term, these resorbable materials should render acceptable results with regard to complications, infections, and reoperations to be considered for repair. Additionally, the rate of resorption should not be any faster than collagen deposition and maturation; leading to early hernia recurrence. Therefore, the objective of this study was to collect data on the short-term performance of a new resorbable biosynthetic mesh (Phasix™) in patients requiring Ventral Hernia Working Group (VHWG) Grade 3 midline incisional hernia repair.Materials and Methods: A prospective, multi-center, single-arm trial was conducted at surgical departments in 15 hospitals across Europe. Patients aged ≥18, scheduled to undergo elective Ventral Hernia Working Group Grade 3 hernia repair of a hernia larger than 10 cm2 were included. Hernia repair was performed with Phasix™ Mesh in sublay position when achievable. The primary outcome was the rate of surgical site occurrence (SSO), including infections, that required intervention until 3 months after repair.Results: In total, 84 patients were treated with Phasix™ Mesh. Twenty-two patients (26.2%) developed 32 surgical site occurrences. These included 11 surgical site infections, 9 wound dehiscences, 7 seromas, 2 hematomas, 2 skin necroses, and 1 fistula. No significant differences in surgical site occurrence development were found between groups repaired with or without component separation technique, and between clean-contaminated or contaminated wound sites. At three months, there were no hernia recurrences.Conclusion: Phasix™ Mesh demonstrated acceptable postoperative surgical site occurrence rates in patients with a Ventral Hernia Working Group Grade 3 hernia. Longer follow-up is needed to evaluate the recurrence rate and the effects on quality of life. This study is ongoing through 24 months of follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: Patients with locally advanced gastric cancer benefit from neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Potential disadvantages of neoadjuvant chemotherapy include increased surgical complications, leading to increased postoperative morbidity. Methods: We retrospectively studied medical records of 135 patients with resectable cancer of the stomach who underwent gastrectomy between 2002 and 2009. The impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on postoperative morbidity was investigated. We compared demographic, clinical and operative data, morbidity and mortality from 105 patients who received surgical treatment immediately after diagnosis (SURG group), versus 30 patients who first received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CHEMO group). Results: Demographic, clinical and surgical procedure parameters did not differ significantly between both groups. Postoperative morbidity was 46.7% in CHEMO- and 41.9% in SURG-patients (p = 0.680). There were eight cases of death, 2/30 (6.7%) in CHEMO and 6/105 (5.7%) in the SURG group (p = 1). The overall complications according to Clavien-classification did not differ significantly (p = 0.455). The wound infection rate (23.3 vs. 3.8%; p = 0.002) and insufficiency of the duodenal stump (13.3 vs. 1.9%; p = 0.022) were significantly higher in the CHEMO group. Conclusion: This study showed no significant impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on postoperative morbidity after gastrectomy using the Clavien-classification. Only an increase in wound infections in CHEMO compared with the SURG group were noted. Therefore, neoadjuvant chemotherapy can be considered safe and feasible. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Wound infections affect not only the individual patient but lead to an increase in medical costs. After ileostomy reversal, surgical site infections are a common problem. The objective of the study was to compare the infection rates of purse-string and conventional skin closure techniques in a high volume setting. Methods: Patients undergoing ileostomy reversal at the Goethe University Hospital between January 2009 and August 2012 were retrospectively analysed regarding surgical site infections and associated risk factors. Patients received either conventional skin closure (running, interrupted or stapled suturing; group C) or subcuticular purse-string suture (group PS). Results: In total, 114 patients have been analysed. Conventional wound closure was performed in 81 patients and 33 patients received purse-string skin closure. The groups did not differ regarding age, gender, indication for ileostomy, previous chemotherapy, and operation time. Median hospital stay was 7 days (3-34) in group PS and 8 (3-53) in group C ( p = 0.15). Wound infections only occurred in groups C ( n = 10, 12 %) compared to group PS ( n = 0; 0 %; p = 0.034), and the wound closure technique was the only significant factor associated with surgical site infection. Surgery performed by a resident under supervision was not a risk factor for complications compared to the procedure done by a senior surgeon ( p = 0.73). Conclusion: This study reveals an advantage of the purse-string skin closure technique in ileostomy reversals analysing a large cohort of patients. Therefore, we recommend the use of the purse-string skin closure in ileostomy reversals as one way to lower wound infection rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]