Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Minimally invasive repair for abdominal bulge and hernias in a dog
By Llerena Freire LF et al.·2025·Department of Teaching·View original on Europe PMC →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Laparoscopic endoscopic preaponeurotic repair (REPA) for rectus diastasis with concomitant ventral and umbilical hernias: a case report and literature review.
Plain-English summary
A 68-year-old man had abdominal pain and bulging due to a condition called rectus diastasis, where the abdominal muscles separate, along with hernias near his belly button and upper abdomen. He underwent a surgery called laparoscopic endoscopic preaponeurotic repair (REPA), which is a less invasive way to fix these issues without placing mesh inside the abdomen. During the surgery, the doctors carefully worked in a specific area of the abdomen to repair the muscle separation and hernias, and they used a special type of mesh to support the area. He was able to go home just two days after the surgery and had a smooth recovery, with no problems noted six months later. Overall, the REPA procedure proved to be a safe and effective treatment for his condition.
Abstract
Rectus diastasis frequently coexists with midline hernias, leading to abdominal wall dysfunction, bulging, and pain. Among surgical options, intraperitoneal onlay mesh (IPOM) and open plication are commonly used. The laparoscopic endoscopic preaponeurotic repair (REPA) has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative that avoids intraperitoneal mesh placement while restoring the linea alba and repairing associated hernia defects. A 68-year-old male presented with abdominal pain and bulging. Clinical examination and ultrasonography confirmed rectus diastasis associated with epigastric and umbilical hernias. The patient underwent laparoscopic REPA. The procedure involved laparoscopic dissection of the preaponeurotic space, reduction of hernia sacs, linea alba plication, and placement of a macroporous polypropylene mesh in the preaponeurotic plane. A Penrose drain was left in place and removed on postoperative Day 7. The patient was discharged on Day 2 and had an uneventful recovery. At 6 months, there was no recurrence, no seroma, and a good short-term outcome. Laparoscopic REPA is a safe and effective minimally invasive option for the treatment of rectus diastasis with associated midline hernias. Compared with IPOM or open repair, REPA combines functional restoration with low morbidity and favorable aesthetic results.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on Europe PMC: https://europepmc.org/article/MED/41306387