Endoscopic single-port “components separation technique” for postoperative abdominal reconstruction

BACKGROUND: In 1990, Ramirez introduced a new procedure to close abdominal wall hernia (AWH), called “components separation technique (CST)”. Thanks to endoscopy, surgical repair possibilities have risen, reducing the operative trauma and preserving vascular and neuronal anatomical structures. This report aims to describe a single port endoscopic approach for CST to repair the abdominal wall of a patient undergoing surgery for abdominal aneurysm and already subject to placement of a mesh for AWH. METHODS: We performed endoscopic-assisted CST, using a single-port access with a gasless technique. CONCLUSION: CST is a useful procedure to close large abdominal wall incisional hernia avoiding the use of mesh, notably under contamination, when prosthetic material use is contraindicated. The endoscopic-assisted CST produces same results than the conventional open separation technique and also minimised tissue trauma that ensures blood supply and prevents postoperative wounds complications. The described single port method was found to be safe and effective to close large midline abdominal hernias when a primary open or laparoscopic closure is not feasible or when patients have been previously treated with abdominal meshes.