Prophylactic onlay mesh at emergency laparotomy: promising early outcomes with long‐acting synthetic resorbable mesh

Daniah Alsaadi, Ian Stephens, Lydia O. Simmons, Magda Bucholc, Michael Sugrue

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)
60 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background: Careful surgical strategy is paramount in balancing the prevention of fascial dehiscence, incisional hernia (IH) and fear of additional mesh‐related wound complications post‐laparotomy. This study aims to review early outcomes of patients undergoing an emergency laparotomy with prophylactic TIGR® mesh, used to reduce early fascial dehiscence and potential subsequent IH. Method: A retrospective, ethically approved review of 24 consecutive patients undergoing prophylactic TIGR® mesh placement during emergency laparotomies by a single surgeon between January 2017 and June 2021 at a University Hospital. A standardized approach included onlay positioning of the mesh, small‐bite fascial closure, and a wound bundle. We recorded patient demographics, operative indications, findings, degree of peritonitis, postoperative complications, and mortality. Result: The study included 24 patients; 16/24 (66.6%) were female and median age was 72.5 (range 31–86); 14/24 patients were ASA grade III or greater; 4/24 patients (16.6%) developed six complications and 3/6 occurred in a single patient. Complications included subphrenic abscess, seroma, intrabdominal hematoma, enterocutaneous fistula leading to deep wound infection and small bowel perforation. Five (20.8%) patients died in hospital; central venous catheter sepsis (n = 1), fungal septicaemia (n = 1) and multiorgan failure (n = 3). Surgical site infection and seroma rates were low, occurring in 2/24 patients (4% each). Conclusion: This study has identified that prophylactic onlay mesh in patients undergoing an emergency laparotomy is not associated with significant wound infection or seroma when used with an active wound bundle. The wider use of TIGR® to prevent fascial dehiscence and potential long‐term IH prevention should be considered.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2218-2223
Number of pages6
JournalANZ Journal of Surgery
Volume92
Issue number9
Early online date1 Aug 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished (in print/issue) - 12 Sept 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This project was partly supported by the European Union's INTERREG VA Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and Donegal Clinical and Research Academy.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 The Authors. ANZ Journal of Surgery published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Keywords

  • ORIGINAL ARTICLE
  • ORIGINAL ARTICLES
  • burst abdomen
  • emergency laparotomy
  • incisional hernia
  • patient outcomes
  • prophylactic mesh placement
  • seroma
  • surgical site infection
  • TIGR

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Prophylactic onlay mesh at emergency laparotomy: promising early outcomes with long‐acting synthetic resorbable mesh'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this