Introduction

Incisional hernia (IH) is a protrusion of intra-abdominal contents through a surgically related defect in the anterior abdominal wall [1]. IH is a common complication of midline laparotomy [2] and can have a significant negative impact on quality of life [3]. Surgical repair can be challenging, with significant associated morbidity including reoperation, and recurrence rates can be as high as 10% [4]. It is therefore imperative that the focus is on prevention of this surgical complication. Most significantly, emergency laparotomy has been associated with high rates of IH of up to 22% [5], making it an area where resources might be concentrated.

Implantable mesh has traditionally been used in the elective repair of IH, however, recent studies have focused on its potential prophylactic use. There have been promising results in the elective setting, with a significant reduction in IHs seen in multiple randomised studies [6, 7]. However, these studies have focused solely on elective patients. As much elective surgery has moved towards minimally invasive approaches, the majority of laparotomies are now performed in the emergency setting, which is associated with high rates of IH [8, 9]. Furthermore, the European Hernia Society has recently suggested that non-midline incisions should be used to reduce the risk of incisional hernia [10]. However, this is clearly not an option in emergency laparotomy.

This makes the use of prophylactic mesh in the emergency setting an interesting proposition, as it may prevent the development of IH. However, there are concerns over potential mesh complications including infection, chronic pain and small bowel fistula. It is plausible that these complications could be more common in the emergency setting due to the increased incidence of peritonitis, intestinal obstruction and clinical condition of patients requiring emergency laparotomy.

The aim of this review is to assess the incidence of IH and post-operative complications in patients undergoing mesh closure of laparotomy in the emergency setting.

Methods

This review was conducted as per a pre-defined protocol, published in PROSPERO (CRD42018109283—accessible via http://crd.york.ac.uk/prospero). The Preferred Reporting of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) [11] and Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines [12] were used to report the findings of the study.

The review was designed to answer the question ‘in patients undergoing emergency laparotomy, does use of prophylactic mesh in abdominal wall closure compared to standard closure technique(s) affect the rate of incisional hernia as reported in studies using comparative designs (e.g., case–control, cohort or randomised trial)’.

Inclusion criteria comparative studies (case–control, cohort, randomised trial) reporting on the effect and complications of mesh implantation in patients undergoing emergency midline laparotomy for a gastrointestinal indication with comparison to a control ‘standard’ technique were eligible for inclusion. No limitations were placed on the length of follow-up. No time limit was placed on date of publication. The inclusion of comparative type studies was selected, as we wished to compare outcomes of two different interventions. As research in surgery often begins with smaller case–control or cohort type studies, we anticipated that there would be no randomised trial level evidence in this area. Therefore, study design criteria were left deliberately broad.

Exclusion criteria studies were excluded if they reported mesh repair of groin or parastomal hernias, non-emergency surgery, non-GI surgery, or the use of temporary mesh closure. Studies involving less than 30 participants, case reports or case series were excluded. Abstracts or conference proceedings were also excluded, as they were deemed to be of insufficient quality not having undergone a formal peer review process. Non-English language studies were also excluded due to resource limitations.

Embase, MEDLINE and Cochrane (CENTRAL) databases were searched, according to a pre-defined search strategy. Databases were searched from inception to the date of the search (1947–present), Medline (1879–present) and CENTRAL (1996–present). The search was run on 27/08/18 and a sample search strategy is presented in appendix A.

An online systematic review tool (http://www.covidence.co.uk) was used to screen search results. Authors FAB and EH independently screened the abstracts of the studies identified in the search. Following this, full texts of the included studies were independently assessed by FAB and EH to determine inclusion in the review. Conflicts between the reviewers were resolved through discussion with a third researcher (ML).

Data extraction from included studies was performed independently by authors FAB and EH. A data collection proforma was used and the following data were collected: number of participants, age, gender, BMI, ASA grade, smoking status, COPD, diabetes, immunosuppression, previous laparotomy, indication for surgery, aspects of operative procedure including upper vs lower GI, incidence of SSIs, IHs, enterocutaneous fistula, mesh explantation, protrusion of mesh, reoperation, mortality and IHs. Conflicts were resolved by discussion.

The primary outcomes were IH, wound dehiscence and surgical site infection (SSI). Secondary outcomes were post-operative complications and mortality. Diagnosis of IH was made either clinically or via post-operative imaging.

Risk of bias was assessed using the Risk Of Bias In Non-randomised Studies of interventions (ROBINS)-I assessment tool [13]. FAB and EH independently evaluated the risk of bias in each study, and conflicts were resolved through discussion with ML. Each manuscript included was checked to identify whether the study was registered, or if it had a pre-registered statistical analysis plan to allow assessment for selective reporting. The outcomes reported in each study were compared for overlap to identify whether similar types of data were presented for each study.

Statistical analysis was performed by FAB and ML using RevMan5 (Cochrane Collaboration). A meta-analysis was undertaken using a random effects model (using Mantel–Haenszel approach) to estimate risk ratio and 95% confidence intervals. Heterogeneity was calculated using the I2 statistic. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05 a priori. If more than ten studies were identified, publication bias would be assessed by visual inspection of funnel plots.

Results

A total of 331 studies were extracted from the search, of which 28 full text articles were screened. Of these, two were eligible for inclusion. Reasons for exclusion were mesh as secondary closure (n = 3) [14,15,16], mesh as temporary closure (n = 1) [17], elective laparotomy (n = 4) [18,19,20,21], unable to retrieve article (n = 2) [22, 23], not in English language (n = 7) [24,25,26,27,28,29,30], conference proceedings (n = 5) [31,32,33,34,35], duplicate (n = 1) [36], case report (n = 1) [37], non-GI indication for laparotomy (n = 1) [38] and non-mesh closure (n = 1) [39]. This is presented in the PRISMA flow diagram (Fig. 1). Two studies were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria [36, 40] (Fig. 2).

Fig. 1
figure 1

PRISMA flowchart

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Fig. 2
figure 2

Forest plot showing risk ratio of IH in patients undergoing prophylactic placement of mesh for primary closure of laparotomy compared to those undergoing standard closure RR 0.15 (95% CI 0.06–0.35, p < 0.001)

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Bias assessment can be seen in Table 1. Both studies had a high risk of bias due to confounding factors as the operating surgeon decided on abdominal closure technique based on the presence of risk factors for IHs. Both studies had a low risk of bias in the selection of participants and classification of interventions and due to deviations from intended intervention. Argudo was judged to be at critical risk of bias; 115 patients were not included in the analysis due to missing data from loss to follow-up. There was a moderate risk of bias in both studies due to a lack of blinding. Bias due to selection of reported results was moderate in Argudo and low in Kurman. No funding source was reported for either study (Table 2).

Table 1 Bias assessment results for each study and domain using the ROBINS-1 tool
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Table 2 Characteristics of studies
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Both studies showed positive results of their studies, increasing probability of publication. No additional negative studies were identified. There is some concern that publication bias may affect findings here, as only positive studies were identified. Both studies reported incisional hernia as a primary outcome, with a range of secondary outcomes reported. The secondary outcomes seem clinically plausible and relevant. Both studies reported the same three secondary outcomes, and Argudo reported an additional 3 secondary outcomes. There are no published protocols or statistical analysis plans available to assess for selective reporting in a more robust manner.

Kurmann was a matched case–control study performed at a University Hospital in Switzerland, which included patients undergoing emergency laparotomy for peritonitis. This study compared the use of loop polydiaxanone (PDS) alone for abdominal closure versus mesh with PDS closure. The mesh used was a non-absorbable composite synthetic mesh (Parietine, Coviden; Parietex, Coviden or Dynamesh, Laubscher) implanted intraperitoneally fixed with single knot fascial sutures, endosurgical staples or a combination of the two. The primary outcome was IH defined as any abdominal wall gap with or without a bulge in the area of post-operative scar, diagnosed clinically or on imaging. Patients were followed up for a mean of 17 months (16 ± 4.7).

Argudo was a retrospective cohort study performed at a university hospital in Spain, in which patients underwent emergency midline laparotomy for peritonitis, obstruction, neoplasm, haemorrhage and ischemia. This study compared the use of PDS alone for abdominal closure versus a partially absorbable lightweight large pore synthetic mesh (Ultrapro, Ethicon) placed ‘onlay’ on the fascia of rectus abdominis, fixed with fascial staples and polypropylene stitches. The primary outcome was IH which was identified either by clinical diagnosis, surgical intervention for IH or by radiological diagnosis. Patients were followed up for 16 months (between 2 and 48).

Of the 299 patients included in both studies, 58 patients had IH. Kurmann et al. reported an IH rate of 3.2% (2/63) in the mesh group and 28.6% (20/70) in the control group (p < 0.001). Argudo et al. reported an IH rate of 5.9% (3/50) in the mesh group and 33.3% (33/100) in the control group (p = 0.0001). This is summarised in Table 3. Argudo found 15 of the incisional hernias (41.5%) required subsequent surgery, 1 in the mesh group and 14 in the control group. A meta-analysis of risk of IH favoured closure with prophylactic mesh, with a risk ratio of 0.15 (95% CI 0.06–0.35, p < 0.001). There was no heterogeneity noted.

Table 3 Outcomes
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Surgical site infections were reported at a rate of 60.3% (30/63) vs 61.9% (39/70) (p = 0.603) for mesh and control groups, respectively, by Kurmann. In comparison, Argudo reported a rate of surgical site infection of 26.3% in the mesh group and 17.6% in the control group (p = 0.13). Kurmann reported that there was ‘no difference in the incidence of IH or SSI with respect to the different meshes and types of fixation’. Neither study reported the degree of peritoneal contamination at surgery.

Mortality was reported as 9.5% (6/53) at 30 days for the mesh group and 7.1% (5/70) in the control group (p = 0.756) in Kurmann’s study. Argudo et al. reported a mortality rate of 18.4% in the mesh group and 13.7% in the control group (p = 0.346). Kurmann et al. reported no patients in the mesh group having open abdomens, and 7.1% (5/70) of those in the control group (p = 0.060) and 25.4% (16/63) of those in the mesh group required reoperation, whilst 31.4% (22/70) in the control group required reoperation (p = 0.565). Enterocutaneous fistula was not reported by Argudo, and Kurmann et al. reported a rate of 4.8% (3/63) in the mesh group and 2.9% (2/70) in the control group (p = 0.667). Neither study reported the incidence of post-operative chronic pain.

Discussion

This systematic review has presented the rate of IH following mesh closure of emergency laparotomies. It suggests that there may be a benefit of adding mesh to closure of emergency laparotomy to prevent incisional hernia formation.

Studies in elective settings show a significant reduction in IHs when there is prophylactic mesh placement [6, 7]. A recent trial of alternate closure methods found that there was no effect on IHs when emergency laparotomies were closed with interrupted fascial sutures compared with continuous fascial sutures [5].

Both included studies showed a significant reduction in IH rate when mesh was used in closure of emergency laparotomies compared to their standard practice of suture only. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of surgical site infection when mesh was compared to standard closure. Kurmann reported the incidence of enterocutaneous fistula, open abdomen and reoperation, and found no statistically significant difference between the mesh group and control group. Given infrequency of enterocutaneous fistula, it is probable that the study is not sufficiently powered to detect this at a meaningful rate. Open abdomen and reoperation were less common (although statistically insignificant) in the mesh group due to surgeon choice of suitable patients for mesh insertion. It is notable that the SSI rate in Kurmann was 60% vs 17% reported by Argudo. This may reflect differences in the degree of peritoneal contamination of patients entered into each study. When taken with the rest of the literature, this study suggests that addition of mesh in closure of emergency laparotomy might reduce the rate of IH formation, although the safety profile of this intervention has not been adequately described.

This is the first systematic review that has assessed the use of mesh closure following emergency laparotomy. IH remains a significant complication of abdominal incision and carries a considerable morbidity [4]. A recent randomised control trial demonstrated a significant reduction in incidence of IH when mesh was used to close elective laparotomies [41], which is supported by a 2017 meta-analysis [6]. However, evidence suggests an increase in chronic pain, post-operative seroma formation and delayed wound healing with mesh closure of elective laparotomies [6, 42]. Neither study included in this systematic review assessed the incidence of seroma or chronic pain. Given the public concern regarding mesh use, it is essential that future studies assess these potential complications. Neither of the studies included in this review detected any significant difference in complications between the mesh and control groups, including enterocutaneous fistula, surgical site infection or reoperation. Notably, the mesh group in one study had a significantly higher mortality rate than control groups which could be explained by selection bias in a non-randomised study.

This systematic review was limited by the small number of included patients (283) and only two studies met the inclusion criteria. No randomised trials were found that met the inclusion criteria. Selection bias into the intervention arm and lack of post-procedure blinding are further limitations. These may also lead to overestimation of the benefits of prophylactic mesh as only the highest risk patients received it (at the surgeon’s discretion). This same issue may lead to underestimation of the real-world rate of complications. There was significant heterogeneity between the studies, with multiple mesh types and placements between the two included studies, as well as differing pathology requiring surgery: Kurmann only included patients requiring laparotomy for peritonitis, which likely accounts for the much higher rate of surgical site infection. In addition, caution should be exercised in interpretation of the pooled effect. This is undertaken on unadjusted event rates in two studies of limited size, both of which have limitations in their design. This calculation should aid researchers in the field when calculating power and sample size for future studies.

Unfortunately, the data presented in this review do not provide strong enough evidence to either advocate routine mesh placement in this setting nor to advise against it. The studies included selected patients considered to be at high risk for IH after emergency laparotomy. This suggests there may be equipoise in this patient group. At least two further studies are required to explore this further, and should follow the IDEAL recommendations [43]. The first should be a large prospective cohort study which captures data on harms related to prophylactic mesh use, including seroma formation, chronic pain, and quality of life measures. This may also provide some indication of the optimum choice of mesh, as in contaminated or emergency cases, this remains uncertain [44].

Subject to acceptable risk profile of the interventions, a properly conducted randomised controlled trial with inclusion of only high-risk patients undergoing emergent laparotomy for peritonitis might be considered. The intervention should be a standardised selection of mesh with agreed standardised placement (e.g. Rives–Stoppa), with standardised suture fixation of the mesh. This should be compared to either the widely used mass closure, or small-bite closure which has been shown to be superior to mass closure in randomised trials [45]. The outcomes outlined above should be reported, as well as a robust health economic assessment.

Conclusion

IH is a common complication of emergency laparotomy that is associated with significant morbidity. The current data does not reliably assess the use of mesh in preventing this complication, and a randomised controlled trial is required to address this important clinical question.