【Abstract】Objective To discuss the clinical significance of postoperative application of gastrointestinal decompression after anastomosis of lower digestive tract. Methods Three hundred and sixty-eight patients undergoing excision and anastomosis of lower digestive tract were divided into two groups: the group with postoperative gastrointestinal decompression and the group without it. The clinical therapeutic outcomes and incidences of complications were compared between the two groups. Results The volume of gastric juice in the decompression group was about 200 ml every day after operation. Both groups had a smaller abdomenal circumference before operation than after operation （P＜0.001）. No difference in the time of first passage of gas from anus and defecation after operation was found between the two groups. The incidence of complications in the decompression group was obviously higher than that of non-decompression group (28.0% vs. 8.2%, P＜0.001); the incidence of pharyngolaryngitis of the former was up to 23.1%. There was also no difference found between these two groups regarding the hospital stay after operation.Conclusion The present study shows that application of gastrointestinal decompression after excision and anastomosis of lower digestive tract cannot effectively reduce the gastrointestinal tract pressure and has no obvious effect on prevention from postoperative complications. On the contrary, it may increase the incidence of pharyngolaryngitis and other complications. Therefore, it is more beneficial for the recovery of patients without gastrointestinal decompression.
Objective To explore the effectiveness of preperitoneal herniorrhaphy with Ultrapro Plug (UPP) mesh for umbilical hernia repair in adults. Methods Between September 2011 and June 2015, 71 patients with umbilical hernia underwent preperitoneal herniorrhaphy with UPP mesh. There were 26 males and 45 females, aged 19-92 years (mean, 54.3 years). The disease duration was 45 days to 30 years (median, 18 months). Umbilical hernia was diagnosed through physical examination, ultrasound, and other relevant auxiliary examination. According to American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, 12 cases were rated as grade Ⅰ, 34 cases as grade Ⅱ, 21 cases as grade Ⅲ, and 4 cases as grade Ⅳ. The operation time, postoperative hospitalization time, complication, and recurrence were recorded. Results The diameter of hernia ring ranged 0.5-3.0 cm (mean, 1.8 cm). There was no vessel or intestine injury. The operation time was 12-35 minutes (mean, 22.4 minutes); postoperative hospitalization time was 12-48 hours (mean, 16.3 hours). Fat liquefaction of incision occurred in 2 cases, and primary healing of incision was obtained in the other cases. Sixty-nine patients were followed up 8-51 months (median, 28 months). Hernia recurrence and patch infection occurred in 1 case respectively during follow-up. No postoperative foreign body sensation and chronic pain occurred. Conclusion Repairing umbilical hernia in adults with UPP mesh should be safe and reliable, because it has the advantages of short operation time, short hospital stay, less complication, and lower incidence of recurrence.