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Biomedical subjects

U Klinge

Publications and source records attributed to U Klinge.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Technical consideration for subxiphoidal incisional hernia repair.

BACKGROUND: The main principle of incisional hernia repair with mesh augmentation is a wide overlap of at least 5 cm in all directions. This is complicated when cartilaginous or osseous structures border the fascial defect, most notably at the xiphoid after sternotomy or in large proximal incisional hernias. METHOD: We performed an anatomic investigation of this "problematic" area with its different structures and layers that form the retroxiphoidal space. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The posterior lamina of the rectus sheath inserts on the posterior side of the xiphoid. This lamina inhibits a sufficient mesh placement. By sharp dissection dorsal the xiphoid process, the posterior lamina of the rectus sheath can be detached. This way the retroxiphoidal space can be opened. Further development of this space can be made by blunt dissection. In some cases, with retroxiphoidal scar formation after sternotomy, a sharp dissection might be necessary. This enables a combined retromuscular-retroxiphoid mesh augmentation repair with a sufficient underlay of at least 5 cm, according to the principles of sublay technique.

Cadaver↗

Pitfalls in retromuscular mesh repair for incisional hernia: the importance of the "fatty triangle".

Open retromuscular mesh repair has become a standard procedure in incisional hernia repair. This technique led to a significant decrease of recurrences. Recurrences after this technique typically occur at the upper mesh border and are a result of the technical complexity of reaching the postulated underlay of 5 cm in the region of the linea alba. We performed an anatomical study in human corpses to investigate the abdominal wall with its different structures, with emphasis on the overlap of the mesh under the linea alba. The overlap can be achieved by incision of the posterior lamina of the rectus sheath, on both sides close to the linea alba. The incision opens the preperitoneal space and appears in the shape of a "fatty triangle". The anterior lamina of the rectus sheath above the hernia defect remains intact and facilitates a sufficient thrust bearing for a retromuscular mesh implantation. Knowledge of the anatomy and preparation of the "fatty triangle" enables a mesh positioning according to the principles of retromuscular mesh repair.

Abdominal Muscles↗

Results after endoscopic treatment of postoperative upper gastrointestinal fistulas and leaks using combined Vicryl plug and fibrin glue.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of clinically relevant anastomotic leaks after upper gastrointestinal surgery is approximately 4% to 20%, and the associated mortality is up to 80%. Depending on the clinical presentation, the treatment options include surgery, conservative treatment with or without external drainage or endoscopic treatment. METHODS: This report presents nine cases of anastomotic leaks or fistulae after surgery for upper gastrointestinal cancers that were treated by insertion of a Vicryl plug and sealing with fibrin glue. Under sedation, all nine patients underwent endoscopic lavage of the cavity at the site of anastomotic leakage. The entrance to the cavity then was filled with Vicryl mesh and sealed off with fibrin glue. After the procedure, the patients underwent endoscopy and a water-soluble contrast study for assessment of the result. RESULTS: Seven of the nine patients had complete healing of the anastomotic leak or fistula after one to two endoscopic treatments. In one case, the treatment failed immediately because of a large and direct tracheoesophageal fistula. Another patient experienced recurrent intrathoracic abscesses after initial technical success. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative upper gastrointestinal fistulas or anastomotic leaks can be managed successfully with little morbidity by means of endoscopic insertion of Vicryl mesh with fibrin glue, thereby avoiding repetitive major surgery and its associated risks.

Adult↗

The Pfannenstiel or so called "bikini cut": still effective more than 100 years after first description.

The original Pfannenstiel incision is discussed including the technique, history, current indications, advantages, and disadvantages. Excellent cosmetic results, principles of less traumatic surgery, and a rare incisional hernia complication rate of about 0-2%, as well as long-time use characterise this access path to the pelvic organs first described by the German gynaecologist in 1900. Complications of nerve damage, however, should be recognised, especially when extending the incision too far laterally.

Female↗

[Fascial healing and wound failure].

The difficulties of acute or delayed failure of fascial healing after laparotomies are of great socioeconomic relevance. Despite a plurality of publications in the last decades, the incidence of burst abdomen (1-3%) and incisional hernia (10-15%) remained unchanged. The generally accepted cause is a multifactorial event with a large number of influencing factors. Therefore, only interdisciplinary cooperations are a match for the scientific complexity of this topic. A still underestimated problem is the description of wound healing factors influencing the microclimate in fascial healing. New aspects of pharmacotherapy and better understanding of collagen synthesis and dynamics of closure tension might improve the clinical situation in the future.

Abdominal Wall↗

[Anastomotic leakage in the gastrointestinal tract-repair and prognosis].

Anastomotic leakage is still a serious complication in surgery, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. The reasons for its onset are various and due to two main reasons: general risk factors of the individual patient and technical surgical factors influencing the outcome after gastrointestinal anastomoses. Changes in the extracellular matrices, particularly due to collagen metabolism, and related disturbances are assumed to be important factors influencing wound healing processes. The technique chosen and the surgical skill are important with regard to inflammation and tissue necroses at the anastomotic line. Analysis of data obtained by clinical studies that concern clinical risk factors for anastomotic leakage reveal an inhomogeneous picture. Attempts to develop risk profiles or scores based on these results have failed until now. Problems encompass the complexity of wound healing processes, and it is questionable whether our current knowledge about them is complete. Therefore, profound understanding of anastomotic leakage requires in-depth analysis of the interaction of extracellular matrix components. Preliminary results indicate the presence of a risk population with collagen metabolism disturbances that have a major effect on wound healing after gastrointestinal anastomosis.

Alcohol Drinking↗

Polypropylene in the intra-abdominal position: influence of pore size and surface area.

BACKGROUND: Polypropylene is a material widely used in surgery. Because of its association with formation of enterocutaneous fistulae and adhesions, direct contact between mesh and intestine is avoided. The following study was designed to investigate the adhesive potential of different polypropylene meshes when placed in direct contact with intestine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In an established experimental model, a total of 45 chinchilla rabbits underwent laparoscopic placement of meshes with different pore size (Group I: monofilament PP 0.6 mm, Group II: monofilament PP 2.5 mm, Group III: multifilament PP 4.0 mm) with the Intra-Peritoneal-Onlay-Mesh Technique (IPOM). The degree of adhesion formation was measured after 7, 21, and 90 days, evaluated by an adhesion score, quantified by computer-assisted planimetry, followed by histological and morphometric investigation of the perifilamental granuloma formation. RESULTS: The heavyweight, small porous polypropylene meshes (PP 0.6) showed significantly stronger adhesion formation at all intervals of investigation compared with the lightweight meshes with a pore size >2.5 mm. Between the two different lightweight mesh variations, there was no significant difference. Granuloma formation was lowest in large-pore-size monofilament meshes (PP 2.5). CONCLUSION: The IPOM rabbit model is suitable for investigation of biomaterials in the intra-abdominal position. Our results show that the adhesive potential is significantly influenced by the pore size. However, the extent of the foreign-body reaction seems also to be influenced by the filament structure, respectively, the surface area, favoring monofilament material.

Abdominal Cavity↗

Analysis of local complications following explantation of silicone breast implants.

A study was undertaken to analyse local complications in patients with breast implants and the total number of implant-related interventions when silicone breast implants were explanted. We studied 53 patients who had received breast implants for cosmetic augmentation or breast reconstruction following surgery for breast cancer at the time of explantation. The clinical records of all these patients were analysed, and clinical information on reason for implantation, implant properties, number and kind of implant-related interventions and reason for explantation was elicited. A complication was defined as a surgical procedure performed for any of the following reasons: capsular contracture, loss of implant integrity, haematoma or seroma, infection of the implant site, extrusion or wound dehiscence, and dissatisfaction with the result. The mean numbers of implant-related operations were 3.1 in patients who had undergone breast reconstruction and 2.3 in patients who had cosmetic augmentation (P < 0.03). We found a total of 35 complications in 28 patients, 21 patients (75%) each had one complication, five patients (18%) had two and two patients (7%) had three complications. A significantly higher incidence of early complications in patients who had undergone breast reconstruction (P < 0.03) marks the difference from complications in the cosmetic group, most of which arose after a longer time (P < 0.02). A complication analysis is presented. At the time of explantation, 78% of the patients decided to have a new implant, while 12% requested permanent removal of the implant without replacement. In the present study we saw no patients with connective tissue or other autoimmune disorders. When breast reconstruction or augmentation with silicone devices is considered, patients must be informed of the possible complications and of the potential choices in later implant-related revision surgery.

Adult↗

A case of bilateral inguinal hernia recurrence in infancy: investigations on collagen metabolism.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent inguinal hernias in early infancy are rare. We report on a case of a 3-month-old male infant suffering bilateral inguinal hernia recurrence (RINGH). Due to previous observations of an altered collagen metabolism in hernia patients, a severe connective-tissue pathology in the infant was hypothesised. METHODS: Hernial sac tissue of the infant was analysed and compared to specimens from five children operated upon one-sided primary inguinal hernias (controls). In paraffin-embedded sections, we determined the distribution of collagen types I and III by crosspolarisation microscopy and the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) by immunohistochemistry. In fibroblast cultures, expression of collagen types I and III and of MMP-2 was investigated by RT-PCR (real-time polymerase chain reaction) and zymography. Electron microscopical investigations were performed exemplarily in two fibroblast cultures to compare cell morphology. RESULTS: No differences in collagen I/III ratios between RINGH and controls were found either on protein or on mRNA level. Immunohistochemical and RT-PCR analysis of MMP-2 showed a lowered expression in the RINGH patient, as compared to controls, whereas the gelatinolytic activity of MMP-2 did not differ between the groups. Electron microscopical investigations showed similar cell arrangement and morphology. CONCLUSIONS: To conclude, a marked biochemical correlate to a severe connective-tissue pathology in the infant suffering inguinal hernia recurrence could not be found. With regard to the slight differences in the expression of MMP-2, a possible role in the genesis of inguinal hernia recurrence cannot be ruled out.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Inguinal hernia on the internet: a critical comparison of Germany and the UK.

Despite containing an increasing amount of medical information, the Internet provides only rare benefits for surgical patients. Using "inguinal hernia" as a catchword, an amateur search was imitated on the British Internet market. Sixty-five pages, standardised regarding quality and efficiency, were evaluated. A comparison to the German Internet market was added. In summary, the broad majority of the pages revealed poor results. Technical appearance, quality of content, and target grouping show big deficiencies. The applicable laws on the European market are not yet established. The ranking lists of the search engines do not reflect the quality of the pages. Patients need competent guides to process surgical information from the Internet. The establishment of specialised institutions to control surgical Web sites according to quality, content, and legality on the European level is urgent.

Germany↗

Incisional abdominal hernia: the open mesh repair.

BACKGROUND: Mesh techniques are the methods of choice for the repair of incisional hernias since these are due to the formation of unstable scar tissue. METHODS: We review the materials and techniques used in the repair of incisional hernias. We describe in detail the operative technique performed in our clinic, the pitfalls of the repair, and the overlap behind the xiphoid and the pubic bone. RESULTS: Polypropylene is the material widely used for open mesh repair. New developments have led to low-weight, large-pore polypropylene prostheses, which are adjusted to the physiological requirements of the abdominal wall and permit a proper tissue integration. These meshes provide the possibility of forming a scar net instead of a stiff scar plate and therefore help to avoid former known mesh complications. CONCLUSIONS: The ideal position for the mesh is the retromuscular sublay position where the force of the abdominal pressure holds the prosthesis against the deep surface of the muscles. The lowest incidence rates of recurrence have been reported for the retromuscular sublay repair; even after long-term follow-up recurrence rates of 10% are possible. Attaining such good results requires an adequate size of the mesh with sufficient overlap of at least 5-6 cm in all directions. Open mesh repair using modern low-weight polypropylene meshes in the retromuscular sublay technique offers excellent results for the treatment of incisional hernias.

Digestive System Surgical Procedures↗

Analysis of collagen-interacting proteins in patients with incisional hernias.

BACKGROUND: In recent years a disorder of the collagen metabolism has been suggested for the pathogenesis of abdominal wall hernias. Previous investigations of skin specimens revealed a reduction in the collagen I/III ratio and alterations in matrix metalloproteinases in patients with incisional hernias. We investigated known collagen-interacting proteins to further characterize connective tissue in these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Skin scars from patients with either primary or recurrent incisional and recurrent inguinal hernias, as a subgroup of incisional hernias, were analyzed for overall collagen content and for the distribution of collagen types I and III by crosspolarization microscopy. The expression of collagen type V, collagen receptor discoidin domain receptor 2, matrix metalloproteinase 1, connective tissue-like growth factor, and tenascin was determined by immunohistochemistry. Mature abdominal skin scars from patients without evident hernia served as controls. RESULTS: Patients with recurrent incisional hernia showed lowest ratios of collagen types I to III. Contents of overall collagen and of collagen type V did not differ between the groups. In patients with either primary or recurrent incisional hernias the proportion of collagen receptor discoidin domain receptor 2 positive cells was increased. Matrix metalloproteinase 1 expression was more pronounced in patients with recurrent incisional or inguinal hernias than in controls. Connective tissue-like growth factor was significantly increased in recurrent inguinal hernia patients. The expression of tenascin was notably decreased in all hernia groups. CONCLUSIONS: The observed alterations in the expression of collagen-interacting proteins again indicate the possibility of a fundamental connective tissue disease as the causal factor in the pathogenesis of (recurrent) incisional hernias.

Aged↗

Breaking strength and tissue elasticity after Shouldice repair.

There are few objective studies in the surgical literature on the strength of an inguinal hernia repair during the immediate postoperative period. To provide the relevant advice and recommendations on physical activities during the period of convalescence, a study on the strength of the Shouldice repair was carried out. Twenty-eight Shouldice repairs were performed on 17 fresh human cadavers (11 male, 17 female, mean age 79.9+/-6.2 years). Following the excision of the transversalis fascia, the breaking strength and tissue elasticity were measured using an automated test device. All tissue ruptures occurred outside the limits of the Shouldice repair. Mean breaking strength was 53.9+/-20.1 N, showing no significant differences between males and females. The measured overall elasticity of tissue samples was 4.6+/-2.3 N/cm. Again there was no marked difference between genders. However, breaking strength and elasticity were found to be significantly affected by age. The Shouldice repair demonstrated a higher tensile strength when compared to the surrounding tissue. Strength after a Shouldice repair of the floor of the inguinal canal was found to be several times higher than could be attained under physiologic conditions. Therefore, an early postoperative return to normal activity can be recommended.

Aged↗

Individual inflammatory response of human blood monocytes to mesh biomaterials.

BACKGROUND: Alloplastic implants such as those employed in hernia repair induce distinct local inflammation and seroma production. As monocytes take a key position in the inflammatory foreign body reaction, their specific release of cytokines was investigated in vitro after incubation with alloplastic materials. METHODS: Human blood monocytes were isolated from buffy coats of 42 healthy blood donors. Cells were cultivated in polystyrene culture wells (4 x 10(6) cells/well) on polypropylene-polyglactin mesh, on polytetrafluoroethylene, in control wells with the addition of 1 micro g lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and on pure polystyrene. Supernatant was taken after 1 h and 5 days, and concentrations of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, interleukin (IL) 6 and IL-10 were determined. Donors were defined as 'high' or 'low' responders when concentrations of TNF-alpha were above the 75th or below the 25th percentiles, respectively. RESULTS: In contact with biomaterials, the monocytes liberated TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-10, similar to levels observed after stimulation with LPS. Median cytokine concentrations were not normally distributed and were influenced by donor, timepoint and applied stimulus. One donor matched the criteria for low responder and three for high responder. CONCLUSION: The individual was identified as an independent factor for the inflammatory response of monocytes to biomaterials. Moreover, high and low responders could be identified. The variability of cytokine release and the lack of a normal distribution suggest that a larger sample size should be used in future studies of cellular response.

Biocompatible Materials↗