The suturing concept for laparoscopic mesh fixation in ventral and incisional hernia repair: Mid-term analysis of 400 cases

Background: The authors describe a minimally invasive treatment of moderate to large incisional and ventral hernia defects using Parietex composite mesh. Methods: All defects are closed laparoscopically or through a minilaparotomy using sutures, and the composite mesh is fixed intraperitonally using transabdominal fixation with nonabsorbable sutures to avoid the use of staple or tack fixation, which has been associated with various complications, including major loop adhesion and mesh migration. The midterm results for 400 patients are presented in terms of efficacy and safety. Results: During a mean follow-up period of 28 months for 80% of the patients, the median operating time was 74 min and the median hospital stay was 3 days. There were eight seromas (2%), all on large defects. Transient pain was experienced by 10 patients (2.5%), and resolved over time with analgesic treatment. There was one early case of sepsis (0.25%), attributable to secondary breakdown of the bowel wall in a case of recurrent incisional hernia, which led to removal of the mesh. Residual chronic parietal pain was reported for 10 patients (2.5%), 2 of whom were released after excision of neuroma; 3 trocar-site herniations (0.75%); and lipoma formation on the site of the hernia sac in 6 cases (1.5%). Conclusion: Laparoscopic ventral hernia treatment using Parietex composite mesh is an effective and safe procedure. Morbidity and recurrence rates are low, and the 2-year outcomes are promising, with no prosthesis migration or complication related to intraperitoneal positioning of the mesh.