Should the Combined Use of Botulin Toxin and Progressive Preoperative Neumoperitoneum be Implemented in the Treatment of Large Abdominal Wall Ventral Hernia with Loss of Domain?

Editorial

Should the Combined Use of Botulin Toxin and Progressive Preoperative Neumoperitoneum be Implemented in the Treatment of Large Abdominal Wall Ventral Hernia with Loss of Domain?

Antonio Torregrosa Gallud^*
Department of Abdominal Wall Surgery, University and Politechnic Hospital La Fe, Spain

^*Corresponding author: Antonio Torregrosa Gallud, Department of Abdominal Wall Surgery, University and Politechnic Hospital La Fe, Valencia, Spain

Published: 06 Feb, 2018
Cite this article as: Gallud AT. Should the Combined Use of Botulin Toxin and Progressive Preoperative Neumoperitoneum be Implemented in the Treatment of Large Abdominal Wall Ventral Hernia with Loss of Domain?. Clin Surg. 2018; 3: 1899

Editorial

The closure and refunctionalization of the abdominal wall facing of a large ventral hernia with loss of domain is one of the greatest challenges of surgeons of the abdominal wall; and there are still problems that have not been solved (Figure 1). It is known the poor venous and lymphatic return that occurs in that type of hernias due to the compression produced by the hernia defect; likewise, there is a decrease in intra-abdominal pressure due to a decrease in abdominal capacity and also an alteration in diaphragmatic and ventilatory dynamics as a consequence of this decrease [1-4]. When we carry out the repair, the opposite effect occurs; that is, there is an increase in intraabdominal pressure with the consequent decrease in venous return and the appearance of an abdominal compartment syndrome; likewise, there is an elevation of the diaphragm determining an increase in intrathoracic pressure and consequently the appearance of a possible respiratory distress. All this determines the dehiscence of the hernial repair with the consequent recurrence of the hernia. Bikhchandani et al. [5] in 2013 report physiological alterations of postural type and in the ambulation, alterations of the respiration and defecatory and urinary changes with the consequent alterations in the quality of life of the patients who have to change their lifestyle, consequent negative economic repercussions and repeated subocclusive episodes and definitive loss of self-esteem. As the hernia gets bigger and bigger, skin conditions worsen, atrophy and fibrosis appears due to the disuse of the muscles of the lateral abdominal wall, the elasticity of the abdominal wall disappears due to the loss of muscular elasticity and finally the rigidity of the entire Wall [6].. Conceptually, the loss of domain on ventral hernia is not currently agreed upon; being for some when the ratio between the volume of the hernial sac with respect to that of the abdominal cavity is greater than 50% or higher than 100 cm2 (McAdory). Our group prefers to speak about Large Incisional hernia when the ratio VIH/VAC es mayor Del 20% VIH: Volume of Incisional Hernia; VAC: Volume of Abdominal Cavity (Figure 2). Faced with this enormous problem we are presented with a suitable preoperative preparation that includes the progressive readaptation of all the organic systems that allow the reintroduction of all the visceral content and the opportune reconstruction of the abdominal wall. This preparation should be aimed at the correction of nutritional defects, weight loss in obese, abstention or abstinence of tobacco, respiratory physiotherapy and attention to ulcers or skin infections. As Scheuerlein H defends "In a loss-of-domain situation it is necessary to obtain a valid estimation of the volume deficit as well as the cardio-pulmonary reserve pre-operatively [7]. That could be made by Dynamic abdominal Wall CT and preoperative respiratory tests. Same way the interdisciplinary co-operation during the post-operative recovery (intensive physiotherapy/ respiratory therapy, ICU, possibly post-operative mechanical ventilation) is important.
We are facing complex problems: 1. Larges hernias 2. Retracted muscles 3. Loss of Domain 4. Time delay until repair; so “Beware of standards solutions for non-standard problems”
The objectives of our treatment should be like Klinge et al. [8] says:
• The refunctionalization of the abdominal wall (including muscular support),
• Prevention of visceral event ration and
• To get a suitable tissue cover.
So it is vital the aponeurotic coping of the hernial extremities, since the restructured wall functions as the primary support, the abdominal continent, and prevents excessive tension on the mesh.
To achieve these objectives, many techniques have been tried:
A. Mechanical traction techniques (Intermuscular tissue expanders (lateral abdominal Wall); Progressive pneumoperitoneum (by slowly creating a chronic abdominal compartment syndrome); Laparostomy with progressive mesh excision [9-11].
B. Anatomic Alteration: Reduction of abdominal content (omentectomy, subtotal colectomy; Phrenicectomy (Tournoff), Creation of ventral hernia [12]); Multiple relaxing incisions of anterior rectus sheet Clotteau-Premont, Large relaxing incisions (Gibson’s operation); Anterior component separation of Albanese (1946); Anterior component Separation of Ramirez [13]|; Open component separation over linea semilunaris and Lap assisted intermuscular approach (Rosen).
C. Combination of both
D. Bridging repair. Synthetic Replacement
In these cases we should “Know what you will do in the event that you don’t know what to do!!!” and “Always have a plan for the worst-case scenario”
Historically was Goñi Moreno in 1940 who introduced the preoperative progressive Pneumoperitoneum in the repair of great ventral hernias; their purpose was a progressive distension of the abdominal wall; a volumetric increase of the abdominal cavity, a regularization of the respiratory function, a pneumatic dissection of the abdominal flanges and adhesions, a peritoneal irritation allowing a vasodilatation and the entering of the macrophages so presenting a “Progressive restrictive syndrome.” From 1990 till today many other authors use this technique like Mayagoitia, Dumont, Tanaka, Sabbagh, Oprea [2,14]. It’s a prehistorical technique?? We consider opposite to that and we use this technique easily making an Incision in left subcostal quadrant under local anesthesia. The Introduction of cavafix catheter (does not cause adhesions or decubitus) with an antibacterial filter with radiologic control posterior [15-18]. There are authors that made it under ultrasound control (Figure 3). Total final volume as a function of defect size, abdominal cavity size, presence of adhesions and individual patient tolerance. Our group uses three times the herniary volume (Plus losses); the duration is variable depending on the goal to be achieved and the patient tolerance; but normally 7-10 days. Rappaport et al. [19] explains their benefits on the reduction of visceral volume. After that the viscera almost completely fit into the abdominal cavity.
But “it was enough with only this technique”; in our experience NO. We have cases that we can close even in the cases where we used PPP; so we decide to use another technique combined with PPP. This was the Botulinum Toxin type A producing a Chemical Denervation and consequently a flaccid paralysis.
The begin of the effect appears in days, the optimum effects in 3-4 weeks and the duration is 3-6 months. It produces a “Transient Chemical denervation” enlarging the abdominal cavity, lowering the abdominal pressure getting an increase in the abdominal capacity prior to elective hernia repair and it’s extended to the postoperative period. In addition, it is a tool that does not weaken the wall permanently and does not generate major postoperative pain [20-22].
Even the use of botulinum toxin type A in abdominal Wall repairs begins experimentally before, was Ibarra Hurtado who reported their use in the abdominal Wall hernia repair in 2009; he explain that the use of botulinum Toxin reduces the thickness of the lateral muscles and increase their length, so, decreasing the size of the defect. Other authors like Zielinski, Zendejas, Chavez Tostado and our group present similar results [23-26].
Technically in an Outpatient basis, approximately 30-40 days before surgery, by Electromyography (EMG) and ultrasound guides. Five points are identified on each side of the abdominal wall: -2 points in the mid-axillary line between the rib margin and the upper iliac crest
-3 points between the anterior axillary line and midclavicular line between the costal margin and the superior iliac crest.
500 units of BT are infiltrated in the ten points: 50 units in all layers muscle, using ultrasound guidance (Figure 4).
After that we begin to use the combined techniques and reported our results in Hernia journal in September 2015 with 51 patients; and today more than 70 cases. In our studies we have significative differences between VIH, VAC and the ratio before and after using BT-A+PPP; but we don't have significance in the diameter of the size [27]. With that results, we conclude and emphasize on the combined use of both techniques for the preparation and repair of large abdominal wall hernias with a ratio VIH/VAC >20%. Definitely under our viewpoint the combined techniques of Botulinum Toxin type A and progressive preoperative pneumoperitoneum should be implemented for the treatment of large and complex hernias of the abdominal wall with loss of domain.