Does the Use of Prophylactic Mesh Reduce Incisional Hernia?

Background

There are patient and surgical procedure-related risk factors that increase the risk of postoperative incisional hernia. Patient-related risk factors: male gender, previous laparotomy, over 50 years of age, malignant disease, COPD, hypoalbuminemia, sepsis, obesity (BMI> 30 kg / m2), anemia, DM, used to steroid, smoking, chemoterapi, cardiovascular disease, RT to the abdominal wall and to be postoperative abdominal wall defects. In studies conducted in many centers around the world, it has been shown that the use of prophylactic mesh reduces the incidence of incisional hernia, especially in high-risk patients. When the literature was reviewed, reviews and meta-analyzes about the use of prophylactic mesh showed a significant decrease in incisional hernia incidence. However, routine practice has not yet been recommended, as long-term follow-up results and secondary results (complications, cost analysis, quality of life) are not clearly explained. However, it has been reported that higher quality studies are needed.

This abdominal closure technique is not used routinely in our country. This study will be one of the first studies in Turkey for patient selection in prophylactic mesh use, techniques to be applied and early / late results.

The aim of the study is to compare the classical abdominal closure technique with use of mesh in order to minimize the incisional hernia and associated complications after midline laparotomy.

Method

Patients aged 18 years and over who were scheduled to undergo emergency abdominal surgery with midline laparotomy will be randomly assigned (1: 1) to primary abdominal closure or mesh group via a computer-generated randomization sequence.

Detailed information was given to all patients before they were included in the study, and their informed consent forms were recorded.

The method in the primary suture group: The linea alba will be closed to a ratio of 5mm / 5mm. Only the fascia will be sutured ; fat or muscle tissue will be avoided. Subcutaneous tissue will be closed with polyglactin 3/0 suture. The skin will be closed with a stapler.

Method in the mesh group: After the fascia was closed with the same method, 5 cm of subcutaneous tissue will be dissected around the incision. The mesh will be placed in the supra-aponeurotic area (onlay) to a distance of laterally and cranial-caudally 5 cm from the fascia margins. The mesh used will be partially absorbable, light and large porous. After this procedure, the borders of the mesh will be fixed circumferentially on the abdominal wall using polypropylene suture to prevent the intestines from herniating on the mesh. Two subcutaneous drainage catheters will be placed in all patients with mesh.

Antithrombotic prophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin, antibiotic prophylaxis with cefazolin and metronidazole will be applied to all patients according to the hospital protocol.

Power analysis; To provide sufficient statistical power, sample size calculation was made. Incisional hernia rates were estimated between 5% and 25% between the two groups. It was calculated that 49 patients per group with 80% test power in the 95% confidence interval would be needed. In the follow-up period, it was planned to include 52 patients in each group, with the prediction that 5% of the patients would be excluded from the study.

Data Entry and Statistical Analysis; Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk normality tests will be carried out before starting the statistical analysis. If normality cannot be achieved even in one of the groups, non-parametric test methods will be selected. Next, the Mann-Whitney U test will be used to compare the variables obtained by the measurement between the two groups.

Chi-square and Fisher Final tests will be used to analyze the relationships or differences between groups in terms of categorical variables.

Univariate logistic regression analysis will be performed to determine the factors thought to cause an incisional hernia. Then, multivariate logistic regression analysis will be done for variables with

Inclusion criteria

• Being older than 18 years of age,
• laparotomy with the midline incision of the abdomen,
• all emergency surgery indications,
• having at least two of the risk factors.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients under 18 years of age,
• elective surgeries,
• off-midline incisions,
• concurrent hernia,
• laparoscopic surgery,
• history of metastatic cancer,
• life expectancy less than 2 years,
• pregnancy.