Endoscopic and endoscopically assisted mini or less open sublay mesh repair (EMILOS and MILOS) of abdominal wall hernias: Update and 10-year experience of a single insitution

Introduction: Abdominal wall hernia and incisional hernia repair are among the most frequent operations in general surgery. However, despite the use of mesh and other recent improvements, the open mesh techniques and laparoscopic IPOM repair have specific disadvantages and risks. Materials and Methods: To minimize complications of the existing open and laparoscopic techniques we developed the endoscopic Mini- or Less Open Sublay (EMILOS) and endoscopically assisted Mini- or Less Open Sublay (MILOS) concept. We report on our large series of minimally invasive sublay repair of and ventral incisional hernias. The operation is performed transhernially with light-holding laparoscopic instruments either under direct, or endoscopic visualization, while the abdominal wall is circumferentially elevated with retractors. An endoscopic light tube was developed to facilitate this approach (Endotorch,TM Wolf Company). Each MILOS operation can be converted to standard total extraperitoneal gas endoscopy (EMILOS repair) once an extraperitoneal space of at least 8 cm has been created. The technique allows minimal invasive repair of ventral hernias with concomitant rectus diastasis. In large eventrations E/MILOS m. transversus abdominis release (TAR) can be performed. All MILOS operations were prospectively documented in the German Hernia registry Herniamed. Technical modifications and improvements from the inception of the E/MILOS concept including variants of the EMILOS technique are addressed. Results: The total and surgical complication rates of 1745 E/MILOS incisional hernia operations were 4.6% and 3.1%, respectively. The reoperation rate was 1.7%. Haemorrhage, seroma, enterotomy, infection and bowel obstruction were detected in 1.0, 0.9, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 percent of the cases, respectively. The recurrence rate after one year was 1.2%. Chronic pain at rest, at activities and chronic pain requiring therapy was reported in 3.8, 7.4 and 3.6 percent, respectively. Conclusion: The MILOS technique allows minimally invasive transhernial repair of incisional hernias using large retromuscular / preperitoneal meshes with low morbidity. The technique is reproducible, cost effective, easy to standardize and combines the advantages of open sublay and the laparoscopic IPOM repair.