Evaluation of 30-day outcomes for open ventral hernia repair using self-gripping versus nonself-gripping mesh.

Background: The use of mesh is standard of care for large ventral hernias repaired on an elective basis. The most used type of mesh includes synthetic polypropylene mesh; however, there has been an increase in the usage of a new polyester self-gripping mesh, and there are limited data regarding its efficacy for ventral hernia. The purpose of the study is to determine whether there is a difference in surgical site occurrence (SSO), surgical site infection (SSI), surgical site occurrence requiring procedural intervention (SSOPI), and recurrence at 30 days after ventral hernia repair (VHR) using self-gripping (SGM) versus non-self-gripping mesh (NSGM).

Idiopathic Spontaneous Pneumoperitoneum and Call for a Multi-Institutional Database.

Idiopathic spontaneous pneumoperitoneum (ISP) refers to intraperitoneal air of unknown origin when other more common etiologies such as traumatic, intrathoracic, and gynecologic etiologies have been excluded. We present a case of a 42-year-old woman with insignificant history presenting with ISP who underwent exploratory laparoscopy and thorough diagnostic workup that was ultimately unrevealing. This case report adds to the existing literature of ISP, and the authors recommend initiating a multi-institutional database to improve our understanding of ISP and contribute to developing consensus guidelines for presumed ISP.

Inguinal Hernia Repair in Older Persons.

Groin hernia repair is one of the most common surgeries performed in the United States, with more than 700,000 performed every year. These repairs are commonly performed in an elective setting to alleviate symptoms and prevent obstruction and/or strangulation. Prior studies have demonstrated that watchful waiting is a reasonable option compared with surgery, because of the low risk of life-threatening complications from groin hernias.

Do not roll the videotape: effects of the health insurance portability and accountability act and the law on trauma videotaping practices.

Background: We hypothesized that trauma video practices would be affected as a result of Health Insurance Portability and Accountabilty Act (HIPAA) enactment.

Methods: A survey was distributed electronically to coordinators and/or directors of level 1 trauma centers. Centers were queried on demographics, trauma video use, and reasons for changes, if any, in their video practice patterns.