Zusammenfassung
GRUNDLAGEN: Unbefriedigend hohe Raten an Narbenhernien nach Medianlaparotomien und Rezidiven nach Narbenhernienoperationen haben uns dazu veranlasst, eine neue Nahttechnik zum Bauchdeckenverschluss zu entwerfen. METHODIK: In unserem Krankenhaus haben wir bei 38 Obduktionen die linea alba exakt in der Mitte eröffnet und an einer Seite einen Faden parallel zum Faszienrand in die Faszie eingenäht. Über diesen wurde im Oberbauch, im Nabelbereich und im Unterbauch je eine Einzelknopfnaht angelegt, an der gegenüberliegenden Seite wurden adäquate Einzelknopfnähte ohne Longitudinalfaden gestochen. Alle Einzelknopfnähte wurden nun mit einem Tensiometer bis zum Fadenausriss aus dem Gewebe belastet, die Messergebnisse wurden mit dem Mann–Withney U-Test statistisch ausgewertet. ERGEBNISSE: Die mediane Ausrisskraft lag auf der unverstärkten Seite bei 67,5 N, auf der fadenverstärkten Seite bei 113,3 N (p < 0,0001). Wurde bei der Einzelknopfnaht in 77,2% die Ruptur durch das Durchschneiden des Fadens durch das Gewebe hervorgerufen, konnte dies bei der reinforced tension line (RTL)-Seite immer verhindert werden. SCHLUSSFOLGERUNGEN: Die RTL-Nahttechnik zeigte durch Verstärkung des Nahtlagers eine signifikante Erhöhung der Nahtrückhaltekraft. Diese einfache Technik kann somit für den primären Bauchdeckenverschluss als auch bei Narbenhernien (bis zu einer zusätzlichen Zugbelastung von 40 N) verwendet werden. Beim klinischen Einsatz bzw. bei prospektiv randomisierten Studien sollte die RTL-Technik den herkömmlichen Bauchdeckenverschlusstechniken gegenübergestellt werden.
Summary
BACKGROUND: The unacceptably high rates of incisional hernia after midline laparotomy and recurrent hernia after hernia operations led us to design a new suture technique of abdominal wall closure. METHODS: During 38 autopsies we opened the linea alba exactly at the midline. On one side we inserted a suture thread in the fascia, parallel to the fascial margin. Above this, one interrupted suture each was made in the epigastrium, the umbilical region and the hypogastrium. On the contralateral side we introduced suitable interrupted sutures without a longitudinal thread. All interrupted sutures were loaded with a tensiometer until the thread tore out of the tissue. The data were evaluated statistically by means of the Mann–Whitney U-test. RESULTS: The median rupture strength on the non-reinforced side was 67.5 N and on the reinforced side, 113.3 N (p < 0.0001). With the interrupted suture the rupture was caused by the suture cutting through the tissue in 77.2% of cases, while this could be avoided in all cases on the side treated with the reinforced tension line (RTL). CONCLUSIONS: The RTL suture technique reinforces the suture base to withstand an additional tensile load of 40 N. This simple technique can be used for primary abdominal wall closure as well as for incisional hernias and should be compared in the clinical setting in prospective randomized studies with conventional techniques.
References
Wissing J, van Vroonhoven TJMV, Schattenkerk ME, Veen HF, Ponsen RJG, Jeekel J (1987) Fascia closure after midline laparotomy. Br J Surg 74: 738–741
Hoer J, Lawong G, Klinge U, Schumpelick V (2002) Factors influencing the development of incisional hernia. A retrospective study of 2983 laparotomy patients over a period of 10 years. Chirurg 73: 474–480
Mudge M, Hughes LE (1985) Incisional hernia: a 10-year prospective study of incidence and attitudes. Br J Surg 72: 70–74
Sorensen LT, Hemmingsen UB, Kirkeby LT, Kallehave F, Jorgensen LN (2005) Smoking is a risk factor for incisional hernia. Arch Surg 140: 119–123
Langer C, Schaper A, Liersch T, Kulle B, Flosman M, Fuzesi L, Becker H (2005) Prognosis factors in incisional hernia surgery: 25 years of experience. Hernia 9: 16–21
Axer H, Graf v Keyserlingk D, Prescher A (2001) Collagen fibers in linea alba and rectus sheaths. J Surg Res 96: 127–134
Hollinsky C, Sandberg S (2007) Measurement of the tensile strength of the ventral abdominal wall in comparison with scar tissue. Clin Biomech 22: 88–92
Kjaergaard J, Laursen NP, Madsen CM, Tilma A, Zimmermann-Nielsen C (1976) Comparison of Dexon and Mersilene sutures in the closure of primary laparotomy incisions. Acta Chir Scand 142: 315–318
van't Riet M, Steyerberg EW, Nellensteyn J, Bonjer HJ, Jeekel J (2002) Meta-analysis of techniques for closure of midline abdominal incisions. Br J Surg 89: 1350–1356
Hodgson NC, Malthaner RA, Ostbye T (2000) The search for an ideal method of abdominal fascial closure: a meta-analysis. Ann Surg 231: 436–442
Weiland DE, Bay RC, Del Sordi S (1998) Choosing the best abdominal closure by meta-analysis. Am J Surg 176: 666–670
Rucinski J, Margolis M, Panagopoulos G, Wise L (2001) Closure of the abdominal midline fascia: meta-analysis delineates the optimal technique. Am Surg 67: 421–426
Poole GV Jr (1985) Mechanical factors in abdominal wound closure: the prevention of fascial dehiscence. Surgery 97: 631–640
Jenkins TP (1976) The burst abdominal wound: a mechanical approach. Br J Surg 63: 873–876
Korenkov M, Beckers A, Koebke J, Lefering R, Tiling T, Troidl H (2001) Biomechanical and morphological types of the linea alba and its possible role in the pathogenesis of midline incisional hernia. Eur J Surg 167: 909–914
Campbell JA, Temple WJ, Frank CB, Huchcroft SA (1989) A biomechanical study of suture pullout in linea alba. Surgery 106: 888–892
Leaper DJ, Pollock AV, Evans M (1977) Abdominal wound closure: a trial of nylon, polyglycolic acid and steel sutures. Br J Surg 64: 603–606
Seidl W, Tauber R, Hoffschulte KH (1974) Messungen zur Festigkeit der Bauchdeckennaht. Chirurg 45: 266–272
Eypasch E, Paul A (1997) Abdominal wall hernias: epidemiology, economics and surgical technique – an overview. Zentralbl Chir 122: 855–858
Nilsson T (1982) The relative rate of wound healing in longitudinal and transverse laparotomy incisions. Acta Chir Scand 148: 251–256
Lichtenstein IL, Herzikoff S, Shore JM, Jiron MW, Stuart S, Mizuno L (1970) The dynamics of wound healing. Surg Gynecol Obstet 130: 685–690
Douglas DM (1952) The healing of aponeurotic incisions. Br J Surg 40: 79–84
Krukowski ZH, Matheson NA (1987) 'Button hole' incisional hernia: a late complication of abdominal wound closure with continuous non-absorbable sutures. Br J Surg 74: 824–825
Clark JL (2001) Ventral incisional hernia recurrence. J Surg Res 99: 33–39
Yahchouchy-Chouillard E, Aura T, Picone O, Etienne JC, Fingerhut A (2003) Incisional hernias. I. Related risk factors. Dig Surg 20: 3–9
Cassar K, Munro A (2002) Surgical treatment of incisional hernia. Br J Surg 89: 534–545
Flum DR, Horvath K, Koepsell T (2003) Have outcomes of incisional hernia improved with time? A population-based analysis. Ann Surg 237: 129–135
Luijendijk RW, Hop WC, van den Tol MP, de Lange DC, Braaksma MM, Ijzermans JN, Boelhouwer RU, de Vries BC, Salu MK, Wereldsma JC, Bruijninckx CM, Jeekel J (2000) A comparison of suture repair with mesh repair for incisional hernia. N Engl J Med 343: 392–398
Machairas A, Misiakos EP, Liakakos T, Karatzas G (2004) Incisional hernioplasty with extraperitoneal onlay polyester mesh. Am Surg 70: 726–729
Matthews BD, Pratt BL, Pollinger HS, Backus CL, Kercher KW, Sing RF, Heniford BT (2003) Assessment of adhesion formation to intra-abdominal polypropylene mesh and polytetrafluoroethylene mesh. J Surg Res 114: 126–132
Morin B, Bonnamy C, Maurel J, Samama G, Gignoux M (2001) Late intestinal fistula following implantation of parietal abdominal prostheses. Ann Chir 126: 876–880
Riaz AA, Ismail M, Barsam A, Bunce CJ (2004) Mesh erosion into the bladder: a late complication of incisional hernia repair. A case report and review of the literature. Hernia 8: 158–159
Rios A, Rodriguez JM, Munitiz V, Alcaraz P, Perez Flores D, Parrilla P (2001) Antibiotic prophylaxis in incisional hernia repair using a prosthesis. Hernia 5: 148–152
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hollinsky, C., Sandberg, S. A biomechanical study of the reinforced tension line (RTL) – a technique for abdominal wall closure and incisional hernias. Eur Surg 39, 122–127 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10353-006-0304-2
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10353-006-0304-2