Skip to main content

Advancements in hernia repair for the complex abdomen

Guest Editors

Roberto Peltrini: University of Naples Federico II, Italy
Vincenzo Pilone: University of Naples Federico II, Italy
Antonio Vitiello: University of Naples Federico II, Italy



BMC Surgery is presenting a Collection on Advancements in hernia repair for the complex abdomen, focusing on the innovations on the indications and treatment approaches for abdominal wall hernias. This collection delves into the efficacy and feasibility of laparoscopic and robotic surgery as the proposed gold standard, while addressing concerns regarding potential risks. Additionally, it explores the emerging role of metabolic procedures as an initial treatment option for patients with severe obesity and ventral hernias, aiming to reduce intra-abdominal pressure prior to final reconstruction. This comprehensive collection highlights topics such as ventral hernia repair in bariatric candidates, robotic abdominal wall hernia repair, abdominal wall hernia repair combined with body contouring, and a comparative analysis of minimally invasive versus open techniques.

Meet the Guest Editors

Back to top

Roberto Peltrini: University of Naples Federico II, Italy                                                                                                                         
Dr Roberto Peltrini is an expert in mini-invasive and colorectal surgery. He graduated in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Naples Federico II and holds an inter-university diploma in advanced laparoscopic surgery from Université Paris XI - Hôpital Antoine Béclère in Paris, France. Currently serving as an attending surgeon at the University Hospital of Naples Federico II, he is also a researcher in general surgery. Dr Peltrini is actively involved in prestigious societies, including the Italian Society of Colorectal Surgery (SICCR), Italian Society of Endoscopic Surgery (SICE), and Italian Society of Hernia and Abdominal Wall Surgery (ISHAWS). With a publication record of over 80 international studies, he contributes to the scientific community as an editorial board member and reviewer for several esteemed medical journals.

Vincenzo Pilone: University of Naples Federico II, Italy                                                                                                                                                                                                
Prof Vincenzo Pilone is an expert in bariatric, colorectal, and abdominal wall surgery. Graduating from the University of Naples Federico II, he rapidly advanced in his career, becoming the youngest head of a surgical department in Italy in 2014. Prof Pilone was appointed as a Full Professor of surgery in 2020, once again establishing himself as the youngest full professor in the country. Currently, he serves as the head of the Oncological and Mini-invasive surgical department at the University of Naples Federico II, where he shares his extensive experience with colleagues and researchers worldwide, having performed numerous laparoscopic interventions.

Antonio Vitiello: University of Naples Federico II, Italy                                                                                                                                 
Dr Antonio Vitiello is an expert in the field of mini-invasive surgery, graduating with a degree in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Naples Federico II, and gaining further expertise through a Honorary Fellowship Programme in Bariatric Surgery at the University College Hospital of London. He has served as both an attending surgeon and a researcher in general surgery at the University Hospital of Naples Federico II, contributing significantly to the medical community as a member of the Italian Society of Surgery for Obesity (SICOB) board of directors. With a publication record of over 80 international studies, Dr Vitiello actively contributes to the advancement of the field as an editorial board member and reviewer for several esteemed medical journals.

About the collection

Abdominal wall hernias represent a current major issue for national health systems. There is still an ongoing debate on the indications and on the proper approach for the treatment of groin hernias, ventral and incisional defects. Laparoscopy and robotic surgery have been proposed as the gold standard for recurrent hernias and/or in case of a complex abdomen. On the other hand, other authors have claimed that these mini-invasive approaches may present higher risks than traditional open surgery. 
In recent developments, metabolic procedures have emerged as a promising initial treatment option for individuals afflicted with severe obesity and concomitant ventral hernias. By reducing intra-abdominal pressure prior to the final hernia reconstruction, these interventions aim to optimize outcomes and enhance the feasibility of subsequent procedures.
In order to present evidence on the feasibility and the outcomes of mini-invasive abdominal wall hernia repair, especially in complex subjects such as those suffering from severe obesity, we have published a BMC Surgery collection, "Advancements in hernia repair for the complex abdomen". We highlight submissions from all aspects of this developing field including, but not limited to:

  • Ventral Hernia Repair in Bariatric Candidates
  • Robotic Abdominal Wall Hernia Repair
  • Abdominal Wall Hernia Repair plus Body Contouring
  • Mini-invasive versus Open Techniques

Image credit: Fabio  / Stock.adobe.com

  1. Laparoscopic Total Extra-peritoneal Inguinal Hernia Repair(TEP) presents escalated risks of surgical complications, notably bleeding, particularly in European Hernia Society (EHS) types 3 and recurrent inguina...

    Authors: Qi Zhang, Xiujuan Xu, Jun Ma, Xinjian Ling, Yongsheng Wang and Yaming Zhang
    Citation: BMC Surgery 2024 24:211
    Content type: Research Published on:

  2. It is difficult to definitively determine the degree of ischemia in the bowel in which an incarcerated groin hernia is embedded. Failure to diagnose and intervene promptly and accurately increases the rate of ...

    Authors: Zheqi Zhou, Yujie Li, Bin Li, Likun Yan, Yingying Lei and Cong Tong
    Citation: BMC Surgery 2023 23:375
    Content type: Research Published on: