Hernia

, Volume 19, Issue 3, pp 465–472 | Cite as

Repair of massive ventral hernias with “quilted” mesh

  • N. M. Posielski
  • S. T. Yee
  • A. Majumder
  • S. B. Orenstein
  • A. S. Prabhu
  • Y. W. Novitsky
Original Article
First Online:
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

Introduction

Prosthetic reinforcement is a critical component of hernia repair. For massive defects, mesh overlap is often limited by the dimensions of commercially available implants. In scenarios where larger mesh prosthetics are required for adequate reinforcement, it may be necessary to join several pieces of mesh together using non-absorbable suture. Here, we report our outcomes for abdominal wall reconstructions in which “quilted” mesh was utilized for fascial reinforcement.

Methods

Patients undergoing open incisional hernia repair utilizing posterior component separation and transversus abdominis muscle release, with use of quilted synthetic mesh placed in the retromuscular position, were reviewed. Main outcome measures included patient, hernia, and operative characteristics and post-operative outcomes, including surgical site occurrence (SSO), surgical site infection (SSI), and recurrence.

Results

Thirty-two patients (mean age 55.7 ± 9.3, BMI 38.3 ± 5.8 kg/m2) underwent open ventral hernia repair with “quilted” mesh placed in the retromuscular position. The mean defect area was 760.1 ± 311.0 cm2 with a mean width of 24.7 ± 6.4 cm. Quilted meshes consisted of two-piece (69 %), three-piece (19 %) and four-piece (12 %) configurations. Wound morbidity consisted of eight (25 %) SSOs, including four (13 %) SSIs, all of which resolved without mesh excision. With mean follow-up of 9.0 ± 13.6 months, there were two (6.3 %) lateral recurrences, both unassociated with mesh-to-mesh suture line failure.

Conclusions

Massive ventral hernias that require giant mesh prosthetics, currently not commercially available, may be successfully repaired using multiple mesh pieces sewn together in a quilt-like fashion. Such retromuscular repairs are durable, without added morbidity due to the mesh-to-mesh suture line. However, additional operative time is required for quilting the mesh together, prompting strong calls for manufacturing of larger mesh prosthetics.

Keywords

Quilted mesh Abdominal wall reconstruction AWR TAR Ventral hernia repair Incisional hernia Herniorrhaphy 
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Notes

Conflict of interest

NP declares no conflict of interest. SY declares no conflict of interest. AM declares no conflict of interest. SO declares conflict of interest—paid consultant for CR Bard. AP declares conflict of interest—paid consultant for CR Bard. YN declares conflict of interest—paid consultant for LifeCell, CR Bard and Cooper Surgical.

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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag France 2015

Authors and Affiliations

  • N. M. Posielski
    • 1
  • S. T. Yee
    • 1
  • A. Majumder
    • 1
  • S. B. Orenstein
    • 1
    • 2
  • A. S. Prabhu
    • 1
  • Y. W. Novitsky
    • 1
  1. 1.Department of Surgery, Case Comprehensive Hernia CenterUniversity Hospitals Case Medical CenterClevelandUSA
  2. 2.Division of Gastrointestinal and General Surgery, Department of SurgeryOregon Health and Science UniversityPortlandUSA

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