Retrospective study on the use of a composite mesh (Physiomesh) in laparoscopic ventral hernia repair

The ideal mesh suited for intraperitoneal placement should address both requirements of tissue separation on the visceral surface and tissue integration on the parietal surface. Meshes with bioresorbable coatings have recently been demonstrated to be successful. In this article, the results are shown of a study with a new type of tissue-separating lightweight mesh with a bioresorbable coating (Physiomesh; Ethicon, Somerville, NJ) in laparoscopic ventral hernia repair. In this single-center retrospective analysis, 88 patients (50 men, 38 women) undergoing hernia surgery between November 16, 2010 and August 10, 2012 at the Imelda Hospital Bonheiden were included. Patients were asked to score their pre- and postoperative pain (1 month after surgery) on a visual analogue scale (VAS), as well as the chronic postoperative pain (pain at more than 6 months after surgery). The time period after which patients were pain free and after which they could return to work was also noted. Our results demonstrate that Physiomesh is a good alternative to the existing meshes leading to significant pain reduction, early return to work, acceptable complications, and low recurrence and reintervention rates.