OBJECTIVE: There are many surgical techniques for ventral hernias and diastasis recti, both conventional or video-endoscopic, with or without mesh placement, detailed in the literature. Using some details of the techniques proposed by Wolfgang Reinpold (Mini- or Less Open Sublay Operation, MILOS) and Federico Fiori (Totally Endoscopic Sublay Anterior Repair, TESAR) we found modifications that allowed repairing and reinforcement of the posterior fascia with a retro-muscular mesh and achieve primary fascial closure by minimally umbilical access and searching for the best anatomical, functional, and aesthetic results.
METHODS: Describe the surgical technique step by step and analyze 629 surgical treatments. The cohort comprises the period January 2018 to January 2023. Our Database registered 318 men and 311 women who underwent video endoscopicassisted Rives-Stoppa techniques to treat umbilical and epigastric hernias with diastasis RESULTS: All patients were treated on an outpatient basis and discharged home on the same day. The most frequent complications were seromas with conservative management. Other complications recorded were omphalitis in 6 patients, and three patients presented hematomas, one of whom performed surgical evacuation. There were ten patients with recurrences.
CONCLUSIONS: These hybrid approaches provide the advantages of mini-invasive techniques with a lower rate of complications and a high standard of quality of life, providing anatomical, functional, and aesthetic benefits.

Background There are limited studies on the necessity of preoperative antibiotics in surgeries for undescended testis (UDT), inguinal hernia (IH), and umbilical hernia (UH) in children. Here, we investigated the relationship between preoperative antibiotic use and surgical site infection (SSI) incidence in surgeries for UDT, IH, and UH in children. Methods Patients who underwent surgery for IH were subdivided based on the surgical form into those who underwent (i) open IH (OIH) repair and (ii) laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure (LPEC). Medical records of patients who underwent surgeries for UDT and IH or UH were retrospectively examined. The SSI incidence was compared between patients receiving and not receiving preoperative antibiotics. In patients who underwent surgery for UH or LPEC, the relative risk of SSI postoperatively in the inguinal region (including surgery for UDT and OIH repair) was examined. Results In total, 926 patients with 1389 wounds were included in this study. SSI rates in patients who underwent surgeries for UDT and UH, OIH repair, and LPEC were 0.2% and 2.7%, 0.3%, and 0.4%, respectively. These rates were not significantly different between patients receiving and not receiving preoperative antibiotics. In patients who underwent surgery for UH, the relative risk of SSI was statistically significant at 9.8 compared with that in patients who underwent surgeries in the inguinal region (95% CI = 1.3-74; p = 0.013). Conclusions Preoperative antibiotics are unnecessary in surgeries for UDT and OIH repair. Patients undergoing surgery for UH should be given extensive care as they are at a high risk of SSI.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) on outcomes of high-volume low-complexity (HVLC) general surgery procedures and to determine critical values for BMI when selecting patients into HVLC programmes.
METHODS: A systematic review was conducted of studies looking at patients in different BMI categories undergoing HVLC general surgery procedures (laparoscopic cholecystectomy, inguinal hernia repair and umbilical or paraumbilical hernia repair), in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. A comparison meta-analysis model was constructed to compare the outcomes using random-effects modelling. The QUIPS (Quality In Prognosis Studies) tool and GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) system were used to assess bias.
RESULTS: A total of 26 studies including 486,392 patients were examined. In laparoscopic cholecystectomy, BMI ≥40 was associated with higher conversion to open surgery (odds ratio [OR]: 1.33, p=0.040) but did not affect complications (OR: 0.69, p=0.400) or length of hospital stay (mean difference [MD]: -0.01 days, p=0.900). In inguinal hernia repair, BMI ≥35 was associated with longer operative time (MD: 18.00 minutes, p<0.00001), and higher risk of wound complications (OR: 3.01, p<0.00001) and hospital readmission (OR: 1.46, p=0.0008). In umbilical or paraumbilical hernia repair, BMI ≥30 was associated with higher risk of wound complications (OR: 6.45, p<0.0001) and hospital readmission (OR: 5.56, p<0.00001), and longer operative time (MD: 4.01 minutes, p=0.030).
CONCLUSIONS: Obesity was associated with longer operative time (up to 23 minutes) and higher risk of postoperative morbidity (up to 4-fold) in HVLC procedures. BMI <40 (moderate GRADE certainty - laparoscopic cholecystectomy) and BMI <35 (moderate GRADE certainty - inguinal hernia) appear to represent optimal critical values for perioperative safety metrics.

OBJECTIVE: To identify predictors of morbidity in GO through an analysis of associated anomalies, defect characteristics and management strategies.
METHODS: PubMed and Ovid EMBASE databases were searched from 2013 to 2023. Primary end points assessed correlation of morbidity with gestational age (GA), birth weight (BW), eviscerated organs, defect size, associated anomalies and management strategy.
RESULTS: Twenty articles were included for analysis with a total of 1009 GO. Median GA was 37 weeks (27-41), with a median BW of 2700 g (900-6000). 143 cardiovascular anomalies, 238 pulmonary anomalies, 98 musculoskeletal anomalies, 53 urogenital anomalies, 94 gastrointestinal anomalies, 11 neurological anomalies and 43 chromosomal anomalies were identified. 82 had unspecified additional anomalies, of which 20 and 17 were defined as major and minor, respectively. 123 neonates were managed with primary closure, 206 neonates with staged closure and 312 neonates with conservative treatment. Complications included sepsis, respiratory compromise, feeding dysfunction and closure-related adverse events. Long-term morbidity included home ventilation (n = 72), long-term parental nutrition (n = 36), and delayed motor neurodevelopment (n = 21). Main predictors of morbidity were pulmonary hypertension/hypoplasia, major congenital anomalies, greater defect size and liver herniation.
CONCLUSIONS: Key predictors of poor outcomes include the presence of additional congenital anomalies, defect size, liver herniation and pulmonary hypertension/hypoplasia.

BACKGROUND: Umbilical hernias (UHs) are commonly underdiagnosed due to their asymptomatic presentation. The aim was to determine the prevalence of UHs by computed tomography (CT) in a trauma center, to assess the magnitude of their underdiagnosis.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was designed, using CT studies to evaluate the integrity of the abdominal wall. The images were obtained from consecutive cases of adult patients (≥18 y) from the database of the radiology and imaging service during a 4-mo period. The sociodemographic features, type of CT scan, and description of the abdominal wall were obtained and compared with the radiology report. In the case of UH presence, the transversal, cephalocaudal, and anteroposterior lengths, as well as its content, were registered.
RESULTS: A total of 472 CT scans were included with a 67.6% (n = 319) prevalence of UH. These were most common in men (58.9%, n = 188/319), but women were more likely to have UH ≥ 10 mm (55%, n = 72/131). Of those with UH, 63.6% were unreported by radiology. The most common content was peritoneal fat (87.5%). UH had medians (interquartile range) of 9.1 mm (6.8, 12.5), 8.3 mm (6, 11.5), and 12.8 mm (8.6, 18.2) in its transversal, cephalocaudal, and anteroposterior lengths, respectively. Transversal length had a high positive correlation with cephalocaudal length (r = 0.877). This datum relationship can be explained by at least 76% due to this factor. Interobserver reliability analyses resulted in substantial reliability (ICC>0.85 and k > 0.85).
CONCLUSIONS: CT is an effective imaging tool for diagnosing UH. There is a high prevalence among the general adult population, with a high radiologic underreporting.

BACKGROUND: Many minimally invasive techniques have been developed over the years to treat primary ventral hernias and rectus abdominis diastasis, all of which have their advantages and disadvantages in terms of complications, reproducibility, and cost. We present a case-series of a novel approach that was safe and reproducible in a cohort of 17 patients.
METHODS: All patients in the study underwent the novel procedure between October 2022 and July 2023. We collected data retrospectively, including patient general characteristics, surgical outcomes, and complications. Patient follow-up lasted 12 months to exclude recurrences.
RESULTS: Seventeen patients underwent the procedure for primary uncomplicated ventral hernias and rectus diastasis. The median length of hospital stay was 2 days (IQR 2-3). In 4 out of 17 cases minor complications occurred within 30 days, of which 3 were class I and 1 was a class II complication according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. There were no recurrences.
CONCLUSIONS: Although limited by a small cohort of patients and a non-comparative study design, our study presents encouraging results in regards to the safety of this technique. More studies with a larger study population are needed to evaluate the benefits and pitfalls of this new technique.[query names].

Flood syndrome refers to ruptured umbilical hernias in patients with chronic ascites with underlying liver cirrhosis. These ruptures may introduce infection into the abdomen and hence require emergency surgery. However, these patients are at high risk during these procedures owing to coagulopathy, hypotension and electrolyte imbalances. In our series, we describe six patients who presented with varying degrees of severity and were treated with a standardised protocol of primary anatomic repair and drain placement. Furthermore, we assessed the Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores in these patients and correlated them to postoperative outcomes. This surgical technique has a good outcome in patients whose CTP and MELD scores predict a safe postoperative period.

Acute abdomen due to incarcerated umbilical hernia is a surgical emergency. Acute abdomen secondary to gynaecological conditions is not uncommon. However, acute abdomen due to incarceration of a gynaecological tumour in an umbilical hernia is rare. A 25-year-old nullipara was admitted to the accident and emergency unit with a history of recurrent lower abdominal pain and abdominal swelling for 4 weeks. Pain worsened within the last 24 h necessitating presentation. Examination revealed a low-grade pyrexia, tachypnoea, an umbilical swelling with generalised abdominal tenderness, and a pelvic mass more in the right iliac fossa. Bedside abdomino-pelvic ultrasound scan confirmed bilateral adnexal masses with features suggestive of mature teratoma. A diagnosis of acute abdomen secondary to ovarian tumour accident was made. An emergency exploratory laparotomy revealed a huge right ovarian tumour incarcerated in an umbilical hernia. She had bilateral ovarian cystectomy and herniorrhaphy. Gynaecological tumours presenting as incarcerated or strangulated hernias are extremely rare but can be a cause of acute abdomen in women.

UNASSIGNED: Our study addresses the gap in ventral hernia repair literature, regarding the long-term effectiveness of robotic transabdominal retrorectus umbilical prosthetic repair (r-TARUP) for primary and incisional ventral hernias. This study aimed to report the 3-year recurrence rates and overall patient outcomes including quality of life.
UNASSIGNED: A retrospective review of prospective collected data analyzed 101 elective r-TARUP patients from August 2018 to January 2022. Data collected included demographics, hernia sizes, mesh types, postoperative outcomes and the European Hernia Society Quality of Life questionnaire (EuraHS-QoL) before and after surgery.
UNASSIGNED: The average age of the group of patients was 53, having a mean body mass index (BMI) of 32 kg/m, with 54% incisional and 46% primary hernias, with mean length and width of 4.4 cm and 6.1 cm, utilizing synthetic 58% and bioabsorbable 42% mesh types. The majority were classified as Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) class I wounds. Postoperative complications included seroma (2%), hematoma (3%), which required surgical intervention, with no significant correlation to mesh type. A strong positive correlation was found between Transversus Abdominis Release (TAR) and increased length of hospital stay (correlation coefficient: 0.731, p < 0.001). Preoperative quality of life assessments demonstrated statistically significant improvements when compared to postoperative assessments at 3 years, with a mean (±SD) of 61.61 ± 5.29 vs. 13.84 ± 2.6 (p < 0.001). Mean follow up of 34.4 months with no hernia recurrence at 1 year and 3 recurrence at the 2-3 years follow up (3.2%).
UNASSIGNED: The r-TARUP technique has proven to be safe and effective for repairing primary and incisional ventral hernias, with a low recurrence rate during this follow up period with a noticeable improvement in quality of life (QoL).

UNASSIGNED: The relationship between dietary factors and hernias is currently unclear.
UNASSIGNED: The UK Biobank was used to extract dietary factors that were used as exposures, including intake of alcohol, non-oily fish, beef, fresh fruit, oily fish, salad/raw vegetables, dried fruit, coffee, cereal, salt, tea, water, cooked vegetables, cheese, Lamb/mutton, pork, poultry, processed meat, and bread. The FinnGen biobank was used to obtain GWAS data on hernias as outcomes. The main analysis of this study was performed using the weighted median, MR-Egger, and IVW methods. Cochran\'s Q test was utilized to assess heterogeneity. To find potential outliers, the MR-PRESSO method was used. Leave-one-out analysis was employed to assess the IVW method\'s robustness.
UNASSIGNED: Alcoholic consumption per week (OR: 0.614; p = 0.00614) reduced the risk of inguinal hernia. Alcohol intake frequency (OR: 1.309; p = 0.0477) increased the risk of ventral hernia (mainly including incisional hernia and parastomal hernia). The intake of non-oily fish (OR: 2.945; p = 0.0214) increased the risk of inguinal hernia. Salt added to food (OR: 1.841; p = 0.00267) increased the risk of umbilical hernia. Cheese intake (OR: 0.434; p = 0.000536) and dried fruit intake (OR: 0.322; p = 0.00716) decreased the risk of ventral hernia, while cooked vegetable intake (OR: 4.475; p = 0.0380) increased the risk of ventral hernia. No causal relationships were found with hernias from other dietary factors.
UNASSIGNED: Inguinal, umbilical, and ventral hernias are all related to dietary factors.