Behind the knife

Abdominal wall surgery often requires modifications to the original plan. This video highlights a case in which an anticipated retrorectus repair was going to be insufficient because of a large posterior defect and tension on the anterior closure. Given these intraoperative findings, we opted to perform a unilateral transversus abdominis release. This video focuses on the decision making when the posterior flap cannot be closed. Further, it reviews suturing technique and maneuvers to improving the handling of long sutures in the minimally invasive setting.