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Infected large pore meshes may be salvaged by topical negative pressure therapy

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Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy of negative pressure therapy for superficial and deep mesh infections after ventral and incisional hernia repair by a prospective monocentric observational study.

Methods

During a 6-year period, 724 consecutive open ventral and incisional hernia repairs were performed. Pre- and intraoperative data as well as postoperative complications were prospectively recorded. In case of wound infection, negative pressure therapy (NPT) was our primary treatment.

Results

Sixty-three patients (8.7 %) were treated using negative pressure therapy after primary ventral and incisional hernia repair. Infectious complications needing NPT occurred in 54 patients in the retromuscular group (54/523; 10.3 %), none when laparoscopically treated and in 9 patients (9/143; 6.3 %) treated by an open intraperitoneal mesh technique. Considering outcome, all meshes were completely salvaged in the retromuscular mesh group after a median of 5 dressing changes (range, 2–9), while in the intraperitoneal mesh, group 3 meshes needed complete (n = 2) or partial (n = 1) excision. Mean duration to complete wound closure was 44 days (range, 26–63 days).

Conclusion

NPT is a useful adjunct for salvage of deep infected meshes, particularly when large pore monofilament mesh is used.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Chantal Tielemans for her dedication in treating these patients by NDT and for the daily practical assistance in times of trouble.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General and Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Service, Ghent University Hospital and Medical School, De Pintelaan 185 2K12 IC, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    F. Berrevoet, A. Vanlander, M. Sainz-Barriga, X. Rogiers & R. Troisi

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  1. F. Berrevoet
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  2. A. Vanlander
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  3. M. Sainz-Barriga
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  4. X. Rogiers
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  5. R. Troisi
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Correspondence to F. Berrevoet.

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Berrevoet, F., Vanlander, A., Sainz-Barriga, M. et al. Infected large pore meshes may be salvaged by topical negative pressure therapy. Hernia 17, 67–73 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10029-012-0969-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10029-012-0969-3

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