04/02/2024
ETEP-RS for ventral hernia done on 27-01-2024. Patient was discharged the next day. Sharing a few pics of the same today.
ETEP-RS is a newer technique in the armamentarium of a surgeon for the management of Ventral hernias, which has many distinct advantages -- this is more physiologically sound compared to conventional Lap IPOM, it just replicates the open surgery where the mesh is in sublay (retro re**us) position, we can deal with lateral and lumbar hernias that cannot be dealt by Lap IPOM, places the mesh outside the peritoneal cavity- so no worry about bowel adhesions, Diverification of recti can be addressed as well, has the added advantage of mesh integration on both the sides vs only one side in Lap IPOM, minimal post-operative pain compared to IPOMs, almost no SAIO, early discharge from hospital and earlier return to work, does not needs costly meshes and tackers (patient pays for the surgeons expertise than for costly implants and consumables), and is basically Anterior Abdominal Wall reconstruction...... Downsides are-- technically very challenging to do, very steep learning curve, longer operative times (atleast 2x) but this is compensated by lesser total hospital stay, meticulous Laparoscopic suturing skills needed, very detailed knowledge of abdominal wall anatomy required, PRS or Linea Alba disruption can be very difficult to deal with if one is not careful.