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. 2024 Apr 1;92(4S Suppl 2):S156-S160.
doi: 10.1097/SAP.0000000000003860.

Outcomes and Quality of Life After Resorbable Synthetic Ventral Hernia Repair in Contaminated Fields

Mehdi S Lemdani  1 , Ellen F Niu, Chris Amro, Zachary Gala, Jane N Ewing, Stephanie E Honig, Robyn B Broach, John P Fischer
Affiliations

Outcomes and Quality of Life After Resorbable Synthetic Ventral Hernia Repair in Contaminated Fields

Mehdi S Lemdani et al. Ann Plast Surg. .

Abstract

Introduction: The ideal mesh type for hernia repair in a contaminated field remains controversial. Data regarding outcomes beyond 1 year and the impact on quality of life (QoL) are unknown. This study aims to evaluate the long-term surgical outcomes and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) after contaminated repair with poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (P4HB) mesh.

Materials methods: Patients undergoing a contaminated hernia repair with P4HB between 2015 and 2020 were identified. Surgical site occurrences and hernia recurrences were recorded. Long-term PROs as defined by the Abdominal Hernia-Q and Hernia-Related Quality-of-Life Survey were assessed.

Results: Fifty-five patients were included with a mean age of 54.5 years, a body mass index of 34 kg/m2, and a defect size of 356.9 ± 227.7 cm2. Median follow-up time was 49 months with a reoperation rate of 14.5% and a hernia recurrence rate of 7.3%. Of the 55 patients, 37 completed preoperative and postoperative PRO questionnaires. When comparing preoperative with postoperative Abdominal Hernia-Q, there was significant improvement in overall PROs (2.1 vs 3.5, P < 0.001). This improvement was maintained with no significant changes between postoperative scores over the course of 5 years. Patients with complications saw the same improvement in postoperative PRO scores as those without complications.

Conclusions: Our study found a low hernia recurrence and acceptable long-term reoperation rates in patients undergoing hernia repair with P4HB mesh in a contaminated setting. We demonstrate a sustained significant improvement in QoL scores after hernia repair. These data yield insight into the long-term outcomes and QoL improvement, providing physicians further knowledge to better counsel their patients.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest and sources of funding: Dr Fischer has received consulting payments from 3M; AbbVie; Baxter; Becton, Dickinson and Co; WL Gore; and Integra Life Sciences. He has received research support from the National Institutes of Health. No support was provided for this work.

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