Efficacy comparison between ProGrip self-gripping mesh and polypropylene mesh for retromuscular repair of incisional hernias

Abstract

To compare the efficacy of retromuscular repair of incisional hernia by using ProGrip self-gripping mesh and conventional polypropylene mesh. A retrospective analysis was made on clinical data of 83 cases of incisional hernia between May 2012 and May 2016. Of 83 cases, ProGrip self-gripping mesh was used in 46 cases (self-gripping mesh group) and conventional polypropylene mesh (conventional mesh group) in 37 cases. There was no significant difference in gender, age, body mass index, types of incision hernia, hernia ring diameter, course of disease, and associated disease between 2 groups ( P>0.05). The operative time, hospital stays, and visual analogue scale (VAS) were recorded and compared between 2 groups. The self-gripping mesh group was significantly lower than conventional mesh group in operative time and hospital stays ( t=2.977, P=0.004; t=2.270, P=0.026). Primary healing of incision was obtained in 2 groups, with no seroma and mesh infection. The VAS score of self-gripping mesh group was significantly lower than that of conventional mesh group at 24 hours, 7 days, and 30 days after operation ( P<0.05). The follow-up time was 5-53 months (mean, 25.8 months) in 43 patients of self-gripping mesh group, and was 7-54 months (mean, 27.4 months) in 33 patients of conventional mesh group. No chronic pain or hernia recurrence was found in both groups during follow-up time. It is a safe and feasible curative way to use ProGrip self-gripping mesh for retromuscular repair of incisional hernia as it can reduce operative time, hospital stays, and postoperative pain.