OC-033 SLOWLY RESORBABLE VERSUS PERMANENT SYNTHETIC MESH IN OPEN RETROMUSCULAR VENTRAL HERNIA REPAIR - 3 YEAR RESULTS OF A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Implantation of synthetic meshes provides long-term hernia repair, but may result in mesh-related complications. The longterm resorbable mesh used in this study maintains more than 50% of its strength for 6 months and is completely resorbed after 3 years. Methods This multi-centre, randomized controlled trial compared the use of the TIGR® Matrix Surgical Mesh (Novus Scientific, Sweden) with a large-pore polypropylene mesh (Soft®mesh, BD, UK) in primary ventral and incisional hernia repair. Retromuscular mesh repair was performed. Primary endpoint was hernia recurrence rate after a 3 year follow-up period. Secondary endpoints were hernia recurrence rate at 1 year and 2 years, as well as perioperative morbidity and longterm complications including pain. Results Seventy-nine patients were included, but 69 patients received study treatment. Fifty-seven patients (82.6%) completed follow-up of 3 years. One patient (2.9%) developed a seroma after hernia repair with TIGR mesh. Three patients had a reintervention for hematoma (8.6%) in the control group versus two reinterventions (5.9%) after repair with TIGR mesh (p=0.673. One patient underwent late re-operation and mesh removal after hernia repair with TIGR mesh due to chronic wound infection. During three years follow-up, seven (10.1%) patients experienced a hernia recurrence, two (5.7%) in the control group and five (14.7%) after TIGR mesh (p=0.15). Conclusion Although not statistically significant, this multicentric RCT showed a higher recurrence rate for longterm degradable mesh patients after 3 years of follow-up. These results call for larger studies with long-term follow-up comparing slowly resorbable mesh materials with permanent mesh products.