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Updated: Jun 8, 2026
Transvaginal Mesh Insertion in the Ovine Model
Published on: July 27, 2017
Transvaginal repair of a large chronic porcine ventral hernia with synthetic mesh using NOTES
Ben Powell1, Susan H Whang, Sharon L Bachman
1University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA.
Background:
Ventral incisional hernias still remain a common surgical problem. We tested the feasibility of transvaginal placement of a large synthetic mesh to repair a porcine hernia.
Methods:
Seven pigs were used in this survival model. Each animal had creation of a 5-cm hernia defect and underwent a transvaginal repair of the defect with synthetic mesh. A single colpotomy was made using a 12-cm trocar for an overtube. The mesh was cut to size and placed through the trocar. A single-channel gastroscope with an endoscopic atraumatic grasper was used for grasping sutures. Further fascial sutures were placed every 5 cm.
Results:
Mesh repair was feasible in all 7 animals. Mean operative time was 133 minutes. Technical difficulties were encountered. No gross contamination was seen at the time of necropsy. However, 5 animals had positive mesh cultures; 7 had positive cultures in the rectouterine space in enrichment broth or on direct culture.
Conclusion:
Transvaginal placement of synthetic mesh to repair a large porcine hernia using NOTES is challenging but feasible. Future studies need to be conducted to develop better techniques and determine the significance of mesh contamination.
