Minimally invasive bilayer suturing technique for the repair of concomitant ventral hernias and diastasis recti

Background According to EHS guidelines, mesh repair is recommended in case of concomitant diastasis recti (DR) and ventral hernia more than 1 cm in diameter. Since in this situation, the higher risk of hernia recurrence may be attributed to the weakness of aponeurotic layers, in our current practice, for hernias up to 3 cm, we use a bilayer suture technique. The study aimed at describing our surgical technique and evaluating the results of our current practice. Methods The technique combines suturing repair of the hernia orifice and diastasis correction by suture, and includes an open step through periumbilical incision and an endoscopic step. The study is an observational report on 77 cases of concomitant ventral hernias and DR. Results The median diameter of the hernia orifice was 1.5 cm (0.8–3). The median inter-rectus distance was 60 mm (30–120) at rest and 38 mm (10–85) at leg raise at tape measurement and 43 mm (25–92) and 35 mm (25–85) at CT scan respectively. Postoperative complications involved 22 seromas (28.6%), 1 hematoma (1.3%) and 1 early diastasis recurrence (1.3%). At mid-term evaluation, with 19 (12–33) months follow-up, 75 (97.4%) patients were evaluated. There were no hernia recurrences and 2 (2.6%) diastasis recurrences. The patients rated the result of their operation as excellent or good in 92% and 80% of the cases at global and esthetic evaluations, respectively. The result was rated bad at esthetic evaluation in 20% of the cases because the skin appearance was flawed, due to discrepancy between the unchanged cutaneous layer and the narrowed musculoaponeurotic layer. Conclusion The technique provides effective repair of concomitant diastasis and ventral hernias up to 3 cm. Nevertheless, patients should be informed that the skin appearance can be flawed, because of the discrepancy between the unchanged cutaneous layer and the narrowed musculoaponeurotic layer.