P-008 PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL COMPARING TWO DIFFERENT MESH FIXATION TECHNIQUES IN OPEN RETROMUSCULAR VENTRAL HERNIA REPAIR

Abstract

Abstract Aim Retromuscular ventral hernia repair has become very popular recently due to its very promising results concerning recurrence and other complications. However, controversy exists regarding the optimal mesh fixation method. The aim of this study is to compare the safety and effectiveness of two mesh fixation techniques. Material & Methods This is an ongoing randomized, prospective, single-blind study. According to study protocol, patients with midline ventral hernias who meet the inclusion criteria, undergo open retromuscular hernia repair and the mesh is fixed either with transfascial sutures or with n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate glue. In the three-month follow-up patients answer the EuraHS QoL score to assess postoperative pain and other QoL features and are examined for the identification of postoperative complications. The results of the first 20 patients who have completed the three-month follow-up are presented. Results Glue group had an average VAS pain at the site of the hernia of 0.3/10, 0.9/10 and 0.3/10, in rest, during activities, and during last week, respectively, while suture group had 0.3/10, 1.1/10 and 0.6/10, respectively. Concerning the restrictions of daily activities: inside, outside the house, during sports and during heavy labor, glue group had 0.2/10, 0.3/10, 0.6/10 and 1/10 and suture group 0.2/10, 0.4/10, 0.9/10 and 1.1/10, respectively. All differences between groups were not statistically significant. Regarding postoperative complications, only one patient from the suture group presented with seroma. Conclusions The preliminary results slightly favor the glue group, without reaching statistical significance. Retromuscular hernia repair leads to very good early results concerning pain and other complications.