Intraperitoneal Polypropylene Light Weight Wide Pore Soft Mesh Repair for Complex Ventral Hernia.

According to randomization policy, patients' will be allocated to two groups each one will include 30 subjects: Group I (the study group) in which the investigator will use a polypropylene wide pore soft mesh (Bard, USA). Group II (the control group) in which the investigator will use the same polypropylene mesh in association with Vicryl mesh (Polyglactin 910, VM95, Ethicon, Belgium). The mesh will be prepared by suturing the Vicryl and polypropylene mesh together after folding the edges (2 cm each) and its fixation with four full thickness corners Vicryl 2/0 stay sutures. Another four sutures anchoring the overlapped edges together will be applied at the center of each edge, after that, the mesh will be inserted intraperitoneally in an oblong fashion in defects above the point midway between the umbilicus and symphysis pubis and in horizontal fashion in defects in the hypogastric region with the Vicryl part facing the bowel. U sutures using polypropylene 0 will be applied through the whole thickness of the anterior abdominal wall in order to anchor the four angles of the mesh. Then, the turned over edges of the mesh will be fixed to the inner aspect of the abdominal wall using interrupted full thickness U sutures or mesh stapler (fascia stapler, Medtronic (covidien), USA) according to availability. The same technique will be used in the study group excluding the vicryl mesh. Following mesh fixation, a tailored viable part of the sac will be closed over the mesh to separate it from the subcutaneous tissue in order to minimize seroma formation. Follow-up data will be recorded in a proforma for each patient, noting intraoperative and postoperative complications and postoperative hospital-stay. Each patient will be examined by the surgical team in the Outpatient Clinic at postoperative days 7, 15, and 30 to assess early complications, and at 3 months for one year and every 6 months for 2 years, to assess late complications when necessary after making the scheduled telephone communication.

Inclusion criteria

Adult patients between 18 and 65 years of age, ASA physical status I - III with complex ventral hernia (defect width above 10 cm, loss of domain above 20 %, recurrent hernia and/or associated with fistula or abdominal wall sinuses).

Exclusion criteria

• Age below 18 and above 65 years. The maximum age limit would be 65 years because in our previous studies morbidity was higher in older age group (36, 37).
• Body mass index greater than 45 kg/m2 or weight above 100 kg.
• Pregnancy.
• Associated non treated abdominal malignancy.
• Unstable coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure.
• Significant renal or hepatic impairment;
• Severe bronchopulmonary disease, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and obstructive sleep apnea.
• Diabetics with Hb A1c above 7.5.
• Subjects with loss of domain above 20 % who didn't respond to pre-operative progressive pneumoperitoneum.