Inguinal Hernia: Defect Obliteration with the 3D Dynamic Regenerative Scaffold Proflor™

Abstract

Prosthetic inguinal hernia repair presents significant challenges. Some of these, such as mesh fixation and quality of the biologic response, are still debated among surgeons. For example, there is no strong consensus regarding a specific condition that characterizes the surgical procedure during herniorrhaphy. This issue concerns management of the hernia defect, which in conventional hernia repair with flat meshes remains patent. However, a critical analysis of typical postoperative complications after inguinal hernia repair reveals that some of these adverse events are related to patency of the hernial opening. Postoperative discomfort, pain with specific movements and even hernia recurrence can be caused by incomplete or defective management of the hernia defect. For this reason, a deeper understanding of this topic would be useful for improving postoperative outcomes. A recently updated concept for inguinal hernia repair takes this technical aspect into consideration. It is based on the use of a newly developed 3D scaffold—ProFlor™ (Insightra Medical, Inc., Clarksville, TN, USA)—that is intended to be deployed into the defect. This novel hernia repair device has interesting and original features, such as dynamic responsivity in compliance with inguinal movement, fixation-free mode and regenerative behavior that counteracts the degenerative effects of the disease. Another additional proprietary feature of this 3D scaffold is the full and permanent obliteration of the defect, which is a crucial aspect to improve outcomes by avoiding the typical adverse effects of this surgical procedure. Obliteration of the hernia defect with the 3D dynamic regenerative scaffold ProFlor™ appears to be superior to coverage by means of static (passive) flat meshes/plugs used in conventional hernia repair. This report highlights the principles of this procedural approach.