EGS P25 Innovative use of Alexis ® O System for tissue retraction in hernia and abdominal wall wound repairs

Abstract Background Hernial operations may pose significant challenges due to the relaxed, dissected subcutaneous tissues and skin which obscure surgical field during open reconstructions of abdominal wall. Difficulty in operation is exacerbated, morbidly obese patient weight tissue where clear retraction extra benefit. The key adequate exposure wall surgery symmetrical retraction, failure such can prolong operative times increase work requirement assistants. Presentation use Alexis ® O system retractor for hernia repairs closure between Dec 2021 May 2022. Methods has been used nine cases: four ventral repair (with two cases needing posterior component separation), umbilical/para-umbilical one inguinal hernias. Results This study demonstrated that a useful adjunct all hernias three umbilical repairs. It proved initially difficult place first there being inadequate available sizes or shapes retractor. paper presents novel efficient approach by deployment - self-expanding wound protector hernial allowed equal tension at points incision dissection, enabling improvedexpose whole field, improving thus facilitating planning unopposed moving different positions without changing position. Furthermore, it increased freedom assistants hands them participate more skilful task aiding lead surgeon efficiency as whole. provided access both operating assisting surgeons, along with instruments could operate clashing fixed sometimes bulkymetal retractors. Conclusions Conclusions: an improve overall including umbilical, para-umbilical provides effective tissue, providing surgeons helps avoid instrumental clashes. demonstrates be easily modification provide complex reconstruction. potential application achieved if wider range were made available.