Abstract: Objective:To investigate the application value of obliquus externus abdominis pedicle flap graft technique in repair of giant abdominal incisional hernia.
Methods:The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted. The clinical data of 14 patients with giant abdominal incisional hernia who were admitted to Affiliated Hangzhou First People′s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from June 2015 to June 2018 were collected. There were 5 males and 9 females, aged (67±10)years, with a range from 45 to 80 years. All the 14 patients underwent repair of abdominal wall defect and functional reconstruction with obliquus externus abdominis pedicle flap graft technique. Observation indicators: (1) surgical situations; (2) postoperative situations; (3) hernia-related quality of life; (4) follow-up. Follow-up using outpatient examination was performed at postoperative 1 and 12 months, and once a year thereafter to detect the recurrence of incisional hernia or abdominal bulging up to June 2019. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean±SD, and comparison within groups was analyzed using the paired sample t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were described as M (range). Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages.
Results: (1) Surgical situations: all the 14 patients underwent repair of abdominal wall defect and functional reconstruction with unilateral obliquus externus abdominis pedicle flap graft technique successfully, and reinforced repair with mesh. All the meshes were standard polypropylene meshes which were placed in the retro muscular or preperitoneal space. The operation time, volume of intraoperative bleeding, mesh size of the 14 patients were (153± 34)minutes, (119±59)mL, (450±156)cm², respectively. (2) Postoperative situations: the duration of hospital stay of the 14 patients were (14±3)days. Of the 14 patients, 1 had type Ⅲ seroma and was cured after conservative treatment. There were no complications such as ischaemia and necrosis of external oblique muscle flap, incision dehiscence, infection of operation site, intestinal obstruction or intestinal fistula observed in the 14 patients. (3) Hernia-related quality of life: the score of hernia-related quality of life of the 14 patients before operation and at postoperative 12 months were 38±8 and 77±15 respectively, showing a significant difference (t=12.729, P<0.05). (4) Follow-up: 14 patients were followed up for 12-48 months, with a median follow-up of 16 month. During the follow-up, none of the 14 patients had recurrence of incisional hernia or abdominal wall bulging.
Conclusion:Obliquus externus abdominis pedicle flap graft technique can be used for repair of giant abdominal incisional hernia, which will lead to less surgical complications and improve hernia-related quality of life of patients.