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Background Trocar-site hernia is an underappreciated condition with estimates of approximately 25% at 2 years follow-up. Duramesh™ has emerged as a novel product with potential benefits for incisional hernia prevention. The aim of this trial is to establish if Duramesh is superior to conventional suture for prevention of periumbilical trocar-site hernia following laparoscopic surgery. Methods The TROCAR trial is a prospective single-centre, parallel arm, double-blind randomised controlled trial conducted in the United Kingdom. A total of 250 randomised participants (1:1 ratio) will be allocated to receive either Duramesh or conventional suture (J-vicryl or J-PDS). The primary outcome is the cumulative incidence of sonographically detected periumbilical trocar-site hernia at 2 years of the index operation. Secondary outcomes are 90-day surgical site occurrence (SSO), 90-day surgical site infection (SSI), 90-day rate of reoperation, 90-day mortality, length of hospital stay, and quality of life at 3 months, 1 year and 2 years measured using a modified EuraHS-QoL score and modified Carolinas Comfort Scale. Conclusion TROCAR will provide level 1 evidence on trocar-site hernia prevention in both the emergency and elective settings. Trial registration Registration number ISRCTN14473961 ( https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN14473961 ). Registered on 14th April 2025.

Wound complications that occur after closure of midline laparotomy remain challenging. A new continuous double-loop closure (CDLC) technique was developed to avoid wound rupture through resistance to high intra-abdominal pressure and continued approximation of wound edges. We investigated the efficacy of this technique. We randomly assigned 390 patients undergoing midline laparotomy-wound closure with the commonly used continuous running suture (CRS) technique (n=204) or with the CDLC technique (n=186). We assessed the influence of closure technique on the rate of wound and other complications, with emphasis on wound dehiscence, pulmonary complications, and death. The rate of wound complications did not differ significantly between groups. Pulmonary complications were seen in 11 patients (5·4%) in the CRS group, and in 32 patients (17·2%) in the CDLC group (p=0·0002). In the CRS group, 17 (8·3%) patients died, compared with 39 (21·0%) patients in the CDLC group (p=0·0004). The CDLC technique should not be used. The lessened compliance of the abdominal wall, which raises intra-abdominal pressure for long periods, may increase the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications and death. The ideal closure technique should combine strength to prevent wound rupture with elasticity to adapt to increased intra-abdominal pressure.

Abstract Objectives Repairing severe mitral regurgitation (MR) in patients with degenerative bileaflet prolapse and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVrEF) is challenging. The Free Margin Running Suture (FMRS) technique offers a non-resectional approach, but mid-term data are limited. Methods We analysed 28 patients with bileaflet degenerative MR and LVrEF (≤40%) undergoing FMRS. Primary outcomes were mid-term survival and MR recurrence; secondary outcomes included LVEF, in-hospital complications, transmitral gradient, coaptation length, and mitral valve orifice area. Results Mean age was 59.3 ± 12.8 years; 69.4% were male. No perioperative deaths; 1 patient required ECMO. Mean aortic cross-clamp time was 47 ± 18.6 min. Over 4.7 years, survival was 100%, with 1 case of moderate MR recurrence. At follow-up, LVEF improved to 43.04 ± 2.26 (P < 0.001), and all patients were NYHA I-II. Conclusions FMRS is a minimally invasive, reproducible technique providing durable repair, symptomatic improvement, and excellent mid-term survival. Mitral valve (MV) repair is the surgical intervention of first choice in degenerative primary mitral regurgitation (MR). Graphical Abstract

Incisional hernia is a frequent complication of midline laparotomy and is associated with high morbidity, decreased quality of life, and high costs. We aimed to compare the large bites suture technique with the small bites technique for fascial closure of midline laparotomy incisions. We did this prospective, multicentre, double-blind, randomised controlled trial at surgical and gynaecological departments in ten hospitals in the Netherlands. Patients aged 18 years or older who were scheduled to undergo elective abdominal surgery with midline laparotomy were randomly assigned (1:1), via a computer-generated randomisation sequence, to receive small tissue bites of 5 mm every 5 mm or large bites of 1 cm every 1 cm. Randomisation was stratified by centre and between surgeons and residents with a minimisation procedure to ensure balanced allocation. Patients and study investigators were masked to group allocation. The primary outcome was the occurrence of incisional hernia; we postulated a reduced incidence in the small bites group. We analysed patients by intention to treat. This trial is registered at Clinicaltrials.gov, number NCT01132209 and with the Nederlands Trial Register, number NTR2052. Between Oct 20, 2009, and March 12, 2012, we randomly assigned 560 patients to the large bites group (n=284) or the small bites group (n=276). Follow-up ended on Aug 30, 2013; 545 (97%) patients completed follow-up and were included in the primary outcome analysis. Patients in the small bites group had fascial closures sutured with more stitches than those in the large bites group (mean number of stitches 45 [SD 12] vs 25 [10]; p<0·0001), a higher ratio of suture length to wound length (5·0 [1·5] vs 4·3 [1·4]; p<0·0001) and a longer closure time (14 [6] vs 10 [4] min; p<0·0001). At 1 year follow-up, 57 (21%) of 277 patients in the large bites group and 35 (13%) of 268 patients in the small bites group had incisional hernia (p=0·0220, covariate adjusted odds ratio 0·52, 95% CI 0·31–0·87; p=0·0131). Rates of adverse events did not differ significantly between groups. Our findings show that the small bites suture technique is more effective than the traditional large bites technique for prevention of incisional hernia in midline incisions and is not associated with a higher rate of adverse events. The small bites technique should become the standard closure technique for midline incisions. Erasmus University Medical Center and Ethicon.

Background Hepaticojejunostomy is commonly performed in hepato-bilio-pancreatic surgery, particularly during pancreaticoduodenectomy. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficiency of two commonly applied suture techniques (the interrupted versus the continuous suture technique) in patients undergoing a hepaticojejunostomy during pancreatoduodenectomy. Methods The HEKTIK trial is a multicenter, randomized controlled, patient-blinded surgical explorative trial with two parallel study groups. An adaptive sample size design was chosen: First, 100 patients scheduled for surgery including a hepaticojejunostomy will be randomized 1:1 either to the interrupted suture technique or the continuous suture technique after informed consent. Based on this data, needed sample size will be adjusted. The primary endpoint will be the occurrence of anastomotic leakage of hepaticojejunostomy, defined as bilirubin concentration in the drain fluid at least 3 times the serum bilirubin concentration on or after postoperative day 3 or as the need for radiologic or operative intervention resulting from biliary collections or bile peritonitis (according to the definition of ISGLS). Further perioperative parameters like other morbidities as well as duration and costs of the hepaticojejunostomy will be analyzed as secondary outcomes. Discussion Until now there are no randomized controlled comparative data of these two suture techniques for hepaticojejunostomy. The HEKTIK trial will investigate the yet unanswered question of whether the interrupted suture or the continuous suture technique has advantages performing a hepaticojejunostomy during pancreatoduodenectomy. Trial registration German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00024395 . Registered on 01 February 2021.

Background Surgical site infections (SSI) remain one of the most common complications in conventional abdominal surgery with an incidence between 4% and 19% (Sandini et al., Medicine (Baltimore) 95:e4057, 2016) in the literature. It is unclear whether the use of coated suture material for skin closure reduces the risk of SSI. In line with in-vitro results, we hypothesize that the use of antibacterial skin sutures (triclosan-coated poliglecaprone 25) reduces the rate of SSI after open abdominal surgery. Methods/design To prevent SSI, triclosan-coated poliglecaprone 25 sutures will be tested against un-coated suture material for skin closure after elective open abdominal surgery of 364 patients. The study is planned as a single-center, prospective randomized controlled trial. Patients will be followed for 30 days after surgery to detect and document wound complications. The rate of SSI after 30 days will be analyzed in both groups. Discussion If we can confirm the proposed hypothesis in our study, this could be a promising and feasible approach to lower SSI after open abdominal surgery. By lowering the rate of SSI this might offer a cost-saving and morbidity-reducing procedure. Trial registration German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00010047 . Registered on 05.01.2017.

Background Parastomal hernia is a major clinical problem. In a randomized, clinical trial, a prosthetic mesh in a sublay position at the index operation reduced the rate of parastomal hernia at 12-month follow-up, without any increase in the rate of complications. This study was designed to evaluate the rate of complications after 5 years. Methods Between January 2001 and April 2003, 54 patients who had a permanent ostomy were randomized to a conventional stoma or to a stoma with the addition of a mesh in a sublay position. A large-pore, lightweight mesh with a reduced polypropylene content and a high proportion of absorbable material was used. Results After 5 years, 21 patients with a conventional stoma were alive and parastomal herniation was recorded in 17 patients, of whom repair had been demanded in 5. In 15 patients operated on with the addition of a mesh herniation, that did not require repair, was present in 2 ( P  < 0.001). No fistulas or strictures developed. No mesh infection was noted and no mesh was removed during the study period. Conclusions At stoma formation, a prophylactic low-weight mesh in a sublay position is a safe procedure that reduces the rate of parastomal hernia.

Background Low anterior resection in patients with rectal cancer may require a defunctioning loop ileostomy formation that requires closure after a period of time. There are three common techniques for ileostomy closure: anterior repair (AR or fold-over closure), resection and hand-sewn anastomosis (RHA), and resection and stapled anastomosis (RSA). We aimed to compare them on the basis of operative and postoperative features. Methods Patients with rectal cancer who underwent low anterior resection without complications were included in this study and randomly assigned to three parallel groups to undergo loop ileostomy closure via either AR, RHA, or RSA. Early and late outcomes were gathered from all included patients. Results Among 93 patients with a mean age of 56.21 ± 11.78 years, consisting of 58 (62.4%) men, 31 patients underwent AR, 30 patients RHA, and 32 patients RSA. There was no significant difference among the groups regarding the frequency and location of intraoperative injuries ( P  = 0.157). The AR groups demonstrated significantly less consumption of gauzes following intraoperative bleeding compared to the two others groups. The results showed that the duration of surgery in the RSA was significantly shorter than in the AR or RHA group (both P  < 0.001). Regarding postoperative course, only one case of hematoma and two cases of surgical wound infection occurred in the RHA group. Anastomotic leakage and complete or partial obstruction did not occur in any group of patients. Latent postoperative complications did not occur in any group of patients. The median time between surgery and discharge as well as the interval until first gas passage, first defecation, oral tolerated liquid diet, as well as oral tolerated soft and regular diet in the AR group were significantly lower than in the two other groups (both P  < 0.001). However, there was no statistical difference in these intervals between the RHA and RSA groups. Conclusions Resection and stapled anastomosis had the shortest duration among the three techniques; however, anterior repair had faster recovery, including earlier tolerated oral diet, gas passing and defecation, and discharge, in comparison with the other techniques. Trial registration Trial registration number IRCT20120129008861N5.

Abstract Objectives Closure of alveolar-bronchiole level fistulas encountered during surgery for acute empyema is challenging due to compromised lung tissue, increasing the risk of persistent air leaks and infection. The use of polyglycolic acid (PGA)-reinforced sutures offers potential, but their application in infected fields is debated. This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of this technique for managing such intraoperative fistulas during video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) decortication. Methods This single-centre retrospective study between 2017 and 2023 compared outcomes in patients undergoing VATS decortication for acute empyema. Patients requiring intraoperative closure of alveolar-bronchiole fistulas using PGA-reinforced sutures (Suture group, N = 7) were compared to those without identified fistulas (Control group, N = 14). Patients with post-resection empyema were excluded. The primary end-point was postoperative complications. Results The Suture group had longer surgical durations (mean 139.3 vs 103.5 min, P < 0.01) and greater intraoperative blood loss (mean 192.0 vs 58.1 g, P = 0.04) compared to Controls. All identified air leaks in the Suture group were successfully sealed intraoperatively, confirmed by water-seal test and intraoperative confirmation test. Crucially, the Suture group experienced significantly fewer postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥ Grade 2) (0/7 [0%] vs 8/14 [57.1%], P = 0.01). No re-exacerbations or re-operations occurred in the Suture group, compared to 4 each in controls. Postoperative inflammatory markers decreased similarly in both groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions PGA-reinforced suturing for alveolar-bronchiole fistulas during acute empyema surgery appears feasible and safe. While fewer complications were noted in the Suture group, this small, non-randomized study precludes definitive conclusions on efficacy. Larger prospective studies are warranted. Acute intrathoracic infections, especially empyema, are serious conditions that require immediate and aggressive treatment. Graphical Abstract

Background In robot‐assisted thoracoscopic (RATS) bronchial sleeve lobectomy, despite the continuous suturing (CS) technique's widespread adoption, the safety and advantages of the semi‐continuous suturing (SCS) technique remain inconclusive. Methods Patients undergoing RATS bronchial sleeve lobectomy for central Non‐Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) between January 2020 and December 2024 were retrospectively enrolled and stratified into two cohorts based on anastomotic technique: the CS group and the SCS group. Perioperative outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results The SCS group (n = 18) demonstrated significantly shorter anastomotic time than the CS group (n = 14) (median 28 min [24–33] vs. 45 min [32–52]; p < 0.001), with a 21‐min reduction in operative time (median 135 min [110–185] vs. 156 min [138–212]; p = 0.040). No statistically significant differences were observed in: overall complication rates (anastomosis‐specific: 11.1% vs. 21.4%, p = 0.425; systemic: 22.2% vs. 42.9%, p = 0.212); 90‐day mortality (0% vs. 7.1%, p = 0.467); late stenosis rate (0% vs. 7.1%, p = 0.249) or reoperation rate (5.6% vs. 14.3%, p = 0.401); postoperative recovery metrics (extubation time and hospital stay, p > 0.05). Conclusions SCS can safely reduce bronchial anastomosis time in RATS sleeve resection and is recommended as the preferred technique for optimizing operative efficiency. Semi‐continuous suturing significantly reduces bronchial anastomosis time during robotic sleeve lobectomy compared to continuous suturing, without increasing complication rates, offering a safer and more efficient technical option for bronchial reconstruction.