Tension-free prosthetic repair in the surgical treatment of epigastric hernia
Brancato, G.; Privitera, A.; Donati, M.; Gandolfo, L.; Cavallaro, G.
Annali Italiani di Chirurgia 73(3): 299-302; discussion 303
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-469X PMID: 12404897 Document Number: 543246
From November 1994 to June 2001, the authors have performed 16 operations for epigastric hernia. Local anaesthesia was used in 8 patients with small hernias, in the remaining 8 general anaesthesia was preferred. In defects smaller than 4 cm, the repair was achieved by insertion of a polypropylene dart plug sutured to the margins of the hernial defect. In larger defects a double layer mesh placed in the pre-peritoneum was used. All patients were discharged within 24 hours of surgery. Postoperative pain was mild and required hospital analgesia in 25% of cases and domiciliary analgesia in 1 patient only. During a follow-up ranging 3 to 79 months (mean 31.2), no recurrence has been recorded. The proposed technique is simple, safe and absolutely effective, allows immediate rehabilitation with a low risk of complications.