Ultrasound-guided Hydro-dissection Facilitates Tissue Expander Placement and Components Separation in Complex Ventral Hernia Repair

Tissue expanders are known adjuncts in ventral hernia repair, used in a staged approach where tissue closure or coverage of the defect is preferred but inadequate. Placement of tissue expanders in the correct tissue plane can be difficult, especially in thin patients or with loss of domain. This case series describes a technique in which tissue expander placement is facilitated by ultrasound-guided hydro-dissection, following the placement of a transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block. In short, after induction of anesthesia, the same needle used for the ultrasound-guided TAP block can be repositioned by the anesthesiologist to instill tumescent solution into the fascial plane between the internal and external oblique muscles. This allows for identification of the fascial planes in the ensuing operation. Our technique may prove to be an alternative tool in the placement of tissue expanders for ventral hernia repair, or in other procedures requiring device placement.