Closing Contaminated Fascial Defects With Synthetic Mesh and a Vacuum-Assisted Closure Device

The use of synthetic mesh is considered too high risk, and therefore, not an option when closing a contaminated abdominal fascial defect. This study evaluated the clinical outcomes when using synthetic mesh combined with vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) dressing to close these facial defects.

From 2010 to 2016, a retrospective review was performed, including 34 patients in a single rural trauma center who underwent a damage control laparotomy in the presence of a contaminated or infected field. Definitive abdominal closure with a bridging polypropylene mesh along with the application of a VAC dressing was done in all cases. Data collection included baseline demographics, operative indication, postoperative complications, mortality and length of follow up.

Median age of the patients was 67 y (IQR 40-87 y), with 22 (65%) being male at the time of operation. The median duration of clinical follow-up was 15.15 mo. The observed complications included three fistulas, two hernias, nine draining sinus tracts, and three mesh explanations with an overall complication rate of 41.1%. Although the absolute observed fistula rate was 8.8% (3 cases), the adjusted mesh-related fistulas formation rate after chart review was 0.0%. No mortalities were attributed directly to mesh-related complication.

This study found no mesh-related fistulas when using a synthetic mesh along with a VAC dressing for abdominal closure in a contaminated field. These results may provide a platform for further study regarding the safety of this technique.