Predictors of mesh infection and explantation after abdominal wall hernia repair

Abstract

Background: The main objective was to identify predictive factors associated with prosthesis infection and mesh explantation after abdominal wall hernia repair (AWHR).

Methods: This is a retrospective review of all patients who underwent AWHR from January 2004 to May 2014 at a tertiary center. Multivariate analysis identified predictors of mesh infection and explantation after AWHR.

Results: From 3,470 cases of AWHR, we reported 66 cases (1.9%) of mesh infection, and 48 repairs (72.7%) required mesh explantation. Steroid or immunosuppressive drugs use (odds ratio [OR] 2.22; confidence interval [CI] 1.16 to 3.95), urgent repair (OR 5.06; CI 2.21 to 8.60), and postoperative surgical site infection (OR 2.9; CI 1.55 to 4.10) were predictive of mesh infection. Predictors of mesh explantation were type of mesh (OR 3.13; CI 1.71 to 5.21), onlay position (OR 3.51; CI 1.23 to 6.12), and associated enterotomy in the same procedure (OR 5.17; CI 2.05 to 7.12).

Conclusions: Immunosuppressive drugs use, urgent repair, and postoperative surgical site infection are predictive of mesh infection. Risk factors of prosthesis explantation are polytetrafluoroethylene mesh, onlay mesh position, and associated enterotomy in the same procedure.

Keywords: Abdominal wall hernia; Biofilm; Hernia repair; Mesh explantation; Mesh infection; Prosthesis infection.