Symptoms and General Pathology

All Conditions

Wounds and Injuries

Hernia

Surgical Wound

Incisional Hernia

Pathological Conditions, Anatomical

Postoperative Complications

Abdominal cavity will be closed by a single layer of 2 continuous sutures beginning on the opposite ends of the wound towards the median line and involving peritoneum, transversalis fascia, posterior and anterior layer of rectus abdominis muscle fascia and, in case of incisions beyond the lateral border of rectus abdominis muscle, also the oblique abdominal muscles fascia.

Abdominal cavity will be closed with two separate layers of continuous sutures. The first layer will include peritoneum, transversalis fascia and posterior layer of the rectus abdominis muscle fascia. In case of incisions not exceeding the lateral border of rectus abdominis muscle, the second layer will involve only the anterior layer of the rectus abdominis muscle fascia. In case of incisions exceeding the lateral border of rectus abdominis muscle, the second layer will include internal oblique abdominal muscle fascia, external oblique abdominal muscle fascia and anterior layer of the rectus abdominis muscle fascia.

Mass closure technique

he first layer will include peritoneum, transversalis fascia and posterior layer of the rectus abdominis muscle fascia closed with 2 continuous sutures beginning at both ends of the wound. In case of incisions exceeding the lateral border of rectus abdominis muscle, the second layer of the continuous suture will start at the lateral border of rectus abdominis muscle, process laterally to the lateral end of the wound involving internal oblique abdominal muscle fascia. Subsequently, the suture will be led out on the anterior surface of the external oblique abdominal muscle, put through by the created loop in the medial direction and processed medially to close the external oblique abdominal muscle fascia and anterior layer of the rectus abdominis muscle fascia.

Layered closure technique

Michał Grąt, MD, PhD

RESEARCH PROJECT OBJECTIVES The aim of this planned study is to evaluate factors, with particular reference to surgical technique of abdominal closure, accumulation of advanced glycation end products, and collagen content in the transversalis fascia, that are associated with the development of incisional hernias after transverse epigastric incisions in patients operated due to malignant tumors.

RESEARCH PROJECT METHODOLOGY:

The study is designed as prospective and is planned to include 392 patients undergoing abdominal surgery due to malignant tumors of the alimentary system performed through transverse incisions in the epigastrium. Primary end-point of the study is defined as the occurrence of burst abdomen during immediate postoperative period or incisional hernia over 2 year postoperative follow-up. Assessment of the association between the type of surgical technique and development of hernia will be based on comparison of mass (1 layer) continuous suture and layered (2 layers) continuous suture using slowly absorbable material and applying suture to wound length ratio of more than 4. Type of the utilized surgical technique will be based on randomization. The method of abdominal closure will remain unknown for patients and investigators assessing the presence of incisional hernias. Assessment of overall collagen content and type I to type III ratio will be performed by obtaining a fragment of tissue during operation, preparation of formalin-fixed and paraffin embedded blocks, cutting of 4-micrometer thick sections, staining with picrosirius red and immunohistochemical procedures. Images will be analyzed with dedicated computer software. Accumulation of advanced glycation end products will be evaluated indirectly by measuring skin autofluorescence utilizing a method based on the use of photodiodes. Postoperative follow-up will include the period of postoperative hospitalization and two additional control visits at 1 and 2 years after the operation. Assessment of the presence of incisional hernia will comprise clinical examination, ultrasonographical study, and analysis of images from other available radiological studies. Irrespective of the primary end-point, additional analyses will be performed concerning associations between evaluated factors and occurrence of burst abdomen and the impact of incisional hernia on patients quality of life using the EORTC QLQ C-30 questionnaires. Statistical analyses will, among other, include Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank test, Cox proportional hazards regression and logistic regression

The technique comprising continuous suture and mass closure will be compared to the technique 2 separate layers of continuous sutures.

Patients will be randomly assigned to one of the two techniques of abdominal closure during the operative procedure and after its main part has been completed, just before the beginning of closure of the abdominal cavity. Randomization will be performed in a 1:1 ratio and in blocks of 20 patients.

Neither the patients included in the study nor the investigators assessing the presence of incisional hernia during follow-up visits will be aware of the type of surgical technique used for abdominal closure (double-blinded study). Only the professionals present in the operating room during surgical procedure, including operator, assistants, anesthesiologist, and nurses, will be aware of the type of assigned intervention.

Risk Factors for Development of Incisional Hernia in Transverse Incisions

Study on the Risk of Incisional Hernia Development Following Transverse Epigastric Incisions in Patients Operated for Malignant Tumors

Development of burst abdomen in the immediate postoperative period (until discharge from hospital) or incisional hernia over a 2-year follow-up period (combined end-point). The follow-up protocol used for the assessment of incisional hernias at discharge from hospital and two control visits at 1 and 2 years postoperatively.

Quality of life assessed in EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire

surgical site infections, defined and classified according to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) recommendations

Complications of grade III or higher according to Clavien-Dindo classification

Duration of postoperative hospitalization in days

Study title	NCT ID	Conditions	Interventions	Eligibility	Organization	Link
Risk Factors for Development of Incisional Hernia in Transverse Incisions	NCT03561727	Incisional Hern... Malignancy	Mass closure te... Layered closure...	18 Years -	Medical University of Warsaw
Risk Factors for Development of Incisional Hernia in Transverse Incisions	NCT03561727	Incisional Hern... Malignancy	Mass closure te... Layered closure...	18 Years -	Medical University of Warsaw

Spots Global Cancer Trial Database for mass closure technique