Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 18, 2026
Laparoscopic Repair of Para-Esophageal Hernia Using Absorbable Biosynthetic Mesh
Published on: September 11, 2021
Chemotherapy does not adversely impact outcome following post-incisional hernia repair with biomaterial mesh
Abdul Saied1, Jenny David, Kim LaBarbera
1Department of Surgery, Roger Williams Medical Center, Providence, Rhode Island.
Background:
Patients receiving chemotherapy are at increased risk for developing recurrent or post-incisional hernias (PIH). Biological materials are an alternative to synthetic mesh in contaminated fields. The impact of chemotherapy on biomaterial tissue ingrowth and integration has not been well studied.
Methods:
From 2008 to 2011 patients who underwent PIH repair with biomaterial mesh (Biodesign®) were selected. Patients were divided into two groups: those receiving chemotherapy (CT) and those not receiving chemotherapy (NCT).
Results:
Forty-five patients were identified, 28 (62%) in the NCT group and 17 (38%) in the CT group. Median follow up for NCT and CT groups were 27 and 17 months, respectively. A total of 9/45 (20%) surgical site infections (SSI) were diagnosed, with 6/28 (21%) in the NCT and 3/17 (18%) in the CT group (P = 0.53). Seroma formation was seen in 5/28 (18%) of NCT patients and 4/17 (23%) in CT group (P = 0.46). Overall hernia recurrence rate was 22%, and the rates of recurrence were similar among the CT 3/17 (18%) and NCT 7/28 (25%) groups (P = 0.42).
Conclusion:
The use of perioperative chemotherapy did not increase the rate of wound complications following PIH repair with biologic mesh in this group of patients.
