Rives-Stoppa technique in ventral hernia repair: results in 100 consecutive patients

Introduction: Multiple operative techniques have been described to treat incisional hernias in order to reduce postoperative complications and recurrence rate. The Rives-Stoppa technique is one of the most employed at the moment. We report the results of patients with midline incisional hernias undergoing this technique. Methods: Rives-Stoppa technique was performed in 100 elective patients with midline incisional hernias from April 2009 to October 2016. Epidemiological data, characteristics of hernias and surgical technique were collected. Satisfaction rate and postoperative pain using a visual analogue scale (VAS) were evaluated. Patients were controlled at 1 month and 1 year after surgery. Results: 58 women and 42 men with a mean age of 62,32 +/- 12,6 years were included. 38 patients had undergone previous hernia repair. According to the EHS classification the most frequent hernias were: 23 % M3, 21 Cvo and 49 % W2, 40 % W3. A low-density polypropylene mesh was used in 93 % of cases with an overlap of 5cm (IQR: 4-6). Median length of hospital stay was of 2 days (IQR: 2-4). Median of VAS was 5 (IQR: 2-7) in the first postoperative day and comes down to 0 (IQR: 0-2) at 1 month after surgery. The wound infection rate was of 8% and the recurrence rate at 1 year of 13,2 %. 91 % of the patients were satisfied with surgical results. Conclusions: Patients undergoing Rives-Stoppa technique for midline incisional hernias obtain acceptableresults in recurrence and complications rates and good results in satisfaction and postoperative pain.