L. Knaapen1, O. Buyne1, S. Feaman4, P. Frisella4, N. Slater2, B. Matthews3, H. Van Goor1 1Radboud University Medical Center,Department Of Surgery,Nijmegen, GELDERLAND, Netherlands 2Radboud University Medical Center,Department Of Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery,Nijmegen, , Netherlands 3Carolinas Hernia Institute,Charlotte, SOUTH CAROLINA, USA 4Washington University,Department Of Surgery, Section Of Minimally Invasive Surgery,St. Louis, MISSOURI, USA
Introduction:
Choice of mesh and surgical technique in ventral hernia repair represent major surgical challenge, especially under contaminated conditions. Aim of this survey was to present international overview of current practice concerning ventral hernia repair in clean or contaminated condition.
Methods:
A survey (2013-2015) was send to surgeons worldwide performing ventral hernia repair. This survey was designed to compare differences in ventral hernia repair concerning life style/pre-operative work-up, antibiotic prophylaxis, hernia repair in clean/contaminated environment, recurrence and mesh infection.
Results:
Responders (n=417) were male (92%;n=381), aged 36-65 (84%;n=351) and practicing inNorth- America (56%;n=234). Open repair was performed by 99% (20% expert level). Laparoscopic repair by 77% (15% expert level).
The majority agrees on benefit of pre-operative work-up/lifestyle changes like smoking cessation (80%;n=319) and weight-loss (64%;n=254)). Not reaching target(s) does not change decision on whether to operate or not.
Common practice is administer antibiotics at least one hour preoperatively (71%;n=295).
Synthetic (43%;n=180) and biologic (42%;n=175) mesh are used as often in contaminated primary hernia repair.
Concerning recurrent hernia repair, synthetic mesh (87%;n=359) is used in clean environment, biological (53%;n=215) or no mesh (28%;n=112) in contaminated environment. American surgeons prefer biologic mesh over synthetic mesh in contaminated environment.
Generally, percutaneous drainage and antibiotics is the first step regarding mesh abscess, independent of type of repair or mesh used. Concerning synthetic mesh infection with sepsis most explant the mesh and repair with biologic mesh (54%;n=217). There is no agreement on mesh infection without sepsis on when to explant and how to repair.
Conclusion:
The majority agrees on the benefit of pre-operative work-up however not always with consequences. Both synthetic and biologic meshes are used for primary hernia repair in contaminated environment. Concerning recurrent hernia repair, synthetic mesh is used in clean environment and biologic mesh or no mesh in contaminated environment.