Peritoneal Flap Hernioplasty for Reconstruction of Large Ventral Hernias: Long-Term Outcome in 251 Patients

Repair of large ventral hernias is challenging when primary fascial closure cannot be achieved. The peritoneal flap hernioplasty, a modification of the Rives-Stoppa retromuscular mesh repair, addresses this problem by using the hernial sac to bridge the fascial gap and isolate the mesh from both the intraperitoneal contents and the subcutaneous space. It is applicable to both midline and transverse hernias. We report the results from our institution using this repair based on a retrospective review of 251 cases.

Patients undergoing peritoneal flap hernioplasty repair from January 1, 2010–December 31, 2014 were identified from the Lothian Surgical Audit system, a prospectively maintained computer database of all surgical procedures in the Edinburgh region of southeast Scotland. Patient demographics, clinical presentation, location of the hernia and surgical treatment were obtained from the hospital case-notes. Follow-up consisted of a clinical consultation 3 months postoperatively and a retrospective review of patient files completed December 2018. Patients presenting signs of complications were assessed during a clinical review.

Two hundred and fifty-one patients underwent incisional hernia repair, 68.1% in the midline and 31.9% arising through transverse incisions. Forty-three of these (17%) were recurrences referred from other centers. Mean BMI was 32.1 kg/m² (range 20–59.4 kg/m²). Mean defect width was 9.2 ± 4.2 cm (range 2.5–24.2 cm). Mean mesh size was 752 cm² (range 150–1760 cm²). Some form of abdominoplasty was performed in 59% of cases. Mean postoperative stay was 6.3 days (range 1–33 days). Mean follow-up time was 75 months (range 44–104 months). Fifty-three patients (21.1%) developed postoperative complications. Three (1.2%) developed superficial skin necrosis and 27 (10.8%) a superficial wound infection, but none developed deep mesh infection. Twelve (4.8%) developed symptomatic seroma and 11 (4.4%) a hematoma requiring surgical intervention. Seven (2.8%) patients developed recurrence within the follow-up period.

Peritoneal flap hernioplasty is an excellent and versatile method for reconstruction of large ventral hernias arising in both midline and transverse incisions. The technique is safe and associated with few complications and a very low recurrence rate.