Biologic mesh for repair of ventral hernias in contaminated fields: long-term clinical and patient-reported outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines recommend biologic prosthetics for ventral hernia repair (VHR) in contaminated fields, yet long-term and patient-reported data are limited. We aimed to determine the long-term rate of hernia recurrence, and other clinical and patient-reported outcomes following the use of porcine small intestine submucosa (PSIS) for VHR in a contaminated field.

METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing open VHR with PSIS mesh in a contaminated field from 2004 to 2014 were prospectively evaluated for hernia recurrence and other post-operative complications. Multivariate logistic and Cox regression analyses identified predictors of hernia recurrence and surgical site infection. Patient-reported outcomes were evaluated using SF-36, Hernia-Related Quality-of-Life Survey (HerQLes) and Body Image Questionnaire instruments.

RESULTS: Forty-six hernias were repaired in clean-contaminated [16 (35 %)], contaminated [11 (24 %)] and dirty [19 (41 %)] fields. Median follow-up was 47 months [interquartile range: 31-79] and all patients had greater than 12-month follow-up. Sixteen patients (35 %) were not re-examined. Incidence of surgical site events and surgical site infection were 43 % (n = 20) and 56 % (n = 25), respectively. American Society of Anesthesiologists score 3 or greater was an independent predictor of surgical site infection (odds ratio 5.34 [95 % confidence interval 1.01-41.80], p = 0.04). Hernia recurrence occurred in 61 % (n = 28) with a median time to diagnosis of 16 months [interquartile range 8-26]. After bridged repair, 16 of 18 patients (89 %) recurred, compared to 12 of 28 (43 %) when fascia was approximated (p < 0.01). Bridged repair was an independent predictor of recurrence (odds ratio 10.67 [95 % confidence interval 2.42-76.08], p < 0.01). Patients with recurrences had significantly worse scores on the SF-36 mental health component and self-perceived body image, whereas HerQLes scores were similar.

CONCLUSIONS: Hernia recurrences and wound infections are high with the use of biologic PSIS mesh in contaminated surgical fields. Careful consideration is warranted using this approach.