Abstract:Objective:To investigate the technique and outcome of laparoscopic repair of huge ventral incisional hernia using mesh.
Methods :The clinical data of 25 patients with huge incisional hernia（abdominal wall defects 12 to 25 cm in length size and 9 to 18 cm in horizontal size, defect area of 108～451 cm2） were analyzed.
Results:Twenty-one patients(84 %) underwent hernia repair successfully, 4 cases (16 %) were converted to open operation because of extensive adhesions intraperitoneally. The operative time was 78～186 (average 95) min. Postoperative hospital stay was 5 ～8 (average 6.5) days. Eight patients (32 %) had prolonged pain over three months, and nine patients (36 %) had seroma. No death, intestinal fistula ,or infection occurred postoperatively.No recurrence occurred in any of the cases within 6 to 25 months(average eleven months) follow-up.
Conclusions:The laparoscopic repair of huge incisional hernia using mesh is a new, safe and effective operation.If extensive dense adhesions interfere with dissection ,the procedure should be converted to open operation.