[Ambulatory surgery of umbilical, epigastric and small incisional hernias: open preperitoneal flat mesh technique in local anaesthesia].

INTRODUCTION: The dilemma whether to use the mesh or non mesh technique in the management of umbilical, epigastric and small incisional hernia is slowly fading away. The open preperitoneal "flat mesh" technique performed as ambulatory surgery may be one of the solutions.

THE AIM: The aim of this retrospective study is to present the results of open preperitoneal "flat mesh" technique in the management of umbilical, epigastric and small incisional hernia within

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study included 34 patients (11 of them with umbilical, 13 with epigastric and 8 of them with small incisional hernia) operated by one surgeon in the period January 2004-January 2006.

RESULTS: The median operative time was 52 minutes for umbilical hernia's, 43 minutes for epgastric and 54 minutes for incisional hernia's. The ambulatory surgery was performed at 91% of patients. The median hospitalization was 4h for patients with umbilical hernia's, 3,7h for patients with epigastric and, 7,7h for patients with small incisional hernia. The follow up is 10,5 months. Apart of one superficial infection other complications were absent.

CONCLUSION: The open preperitoneal "flat mesh" technique performed in local anesthesia as an ambulatory surgery provides good results in the management of umbilical, epigastric and small incisional hernia.