Prophylactic mesh augmentation: Patient selection, techniques, and early outcomes.
BACKGROUND
Incisional hernias (IH) following abdominal surgery are frequent and morbid. Prophylactic mesh augmentation (PMA) has emerged as a technique to reduce IH formation. We aim to report patient selection, techniques and early outcomes after PMA.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review identified descriptive characteristics, risk factors, operative technique, and early post-operative outcomes for PMA patients and matched non-PMA patients between January 1, 2016 and October 31, 2017.


RESULTS
18 consecutive PMA cases were performed (55.6% female, mean age 54.3 years and mean BMI = 29.5 kg/m2). 88.9% of patients had at least two high-risk features for IH. Zero PMA patients developed IH compared to 5.3% non-PMA patients (p = 0.314) (6-months mean follow-up). No difference in surgical site occurrences (SSO) were identified between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Early results are encouraging, demonstrating PMA is safe with equivocal SSO. Further studies are needed to assess if the reduction in IH formation is statistically significant with longer follow-up.
['Rhemtulla|Irfan A|IA|', 'Mauch|Jaclyn T|JT|', 'Broach|Robyn B|RB|', 'Messa|Charles A|CA|', 'Fischer|John P|JP|']
D034861:Abdominal Wall D005260:Female D005500:Follow-Up Studies D006555:Hernia, Ventral D006801:Humans D015994:Incidence D000069290:Incisional Hernia D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D018579:Patient Selection D010414:Pennsylvania D011183:Postoperative Complications D012189:Retrospective Studies D012307:Risk Factors D013526:Surgical Mesh D013536:Suture Techniques D013997:Time Factors D016896:Treatment Outcome
Prophylactic Mesh Augmentation Incisional Hernia Prevention