Repair of Small and Medium Size Umbilical Hernias with the "Proceed Ventral Patch" in the Preperitoneal Position.

Small- and medium-sized ventral hernias including umbilical hernias can be repaired using prosthetic patches placed in the peritoneum. However, bowel-associated complications secondary to intraperitoneally placed hernia patches have been reported. Herein, we report the outcome of small and medium umbilical hernia closure with prosthetic hernia patches in the preperitoneal space. Prospectively collected data of patients undergoing repair of small- and medium-sized umbilical hernias with the proceed ventral patch in a primary care hospital in Germany was retrospectively analyzed. A total of 39 cases, including 11 female and 28 male patients, were managed with prosthetic patches in the preperitoneal position. Small-sized patches were implantated in 16 cases, whereas medium-sized patches were used in 23 cases. The median duration of surgery was 40 minutes. The median length of hospital stay was four days. Four minor complications were recorded (10.3%) and the rate of recurrence was 2.6 per cent within a follow-up period of up to 30 months. Small and medium size umbilical hernias can be effectively closed with prosthetic patches placed in the preperitoneal space without risk of serious bowel associated complications.