Bioprosthetic mesh reinforcement during temporary stoma closure decreases the rate of incisional hernia: A blinded, case-matched study in 94 patients with rectal cancer

Abstract

This case-matched study aimed to assess the feasibility and the potential benefits of placement of a prophylactic bioprosthetic collagen porcine mesh during closure of the temporary ileostomy after total mesorectal excision (TME) for rectal cancer. From September 2012 to March 2013, 30 consecutive patients underwent placement of a retromuscular bioprosthetic mesh in the abdominal wall during closure of a diverting ileostomy after sphincter-saving laparoscopic TME for rectal cancer (mesh group). These 30 patients were matched individually to all identical patients who underwent a closure of the ileostomy without mesh after laparoscopic TME extracted from our prospective database (control group). The matching process was performed according to sex, age, body mass index, medically treated diabetes mellitus, neoadjuvant radiotherapy, and the delay between TME and closure of the ileostomy. The primary endpoint was stoma site incisional hernia, assessed in a blinded fashion by CT 1 year later. Mesh placement was feasible in all mesh group patients. There was no postoperative mortality. Overall postoperative morbidity rates were similar between mesh and control groups (n = 5 [17%] vs n = 7 [11%], respectively; P = .512). On the 1-year CT, incisional hernia at the site of stomal closure was less in the mesh group (n = 1) compared with the control group (n = 12; P = .043). Reoperation for incisional hernia at the site of stomal closure was performed in 8 patients (13%) in the control group, whereas no patient from the mesh group required repair of the hernia (P = .052). Placement of a bioprosthetic collagen porcine mesh during closure of the temporary ileostomy after laparoscopic TME for rectal cancer seems to decrease the chance of hernia formation at the stoma site, at least at the 1-year follow-up.