A Suture-less Underlay Ventral Herniorrhaphy Technique for High-Risk Complex Abdominal Wall Reconstruction

Many factors increase the complexity of abdominal wall reconstruction including attenuated fascia, loss-of-domain, prior hernia surgeries, multiple fascial defects, enterocutaneous fistulas, and mesh infections. We describe our experience of using a suture-less mesh fixation underlay ventral herniorrhaphy technique to combat such issues in high-risk ventral hernia repair.

This is a prospective-observational study. Patients from 2019 onward undergoing emergent or elective cases were included. The technique: A large porcine acellular-dermal-matrix (ADM) alone or sutured to a light-weight, macroporous polypropylene mesh is created and placed with ADM facing the bowel. Fibrin glue is sprayed over the mesh, fascia and skin closed. An abdominal binder is placed pre-extubation and left undisturbed for 5 postoperative days.

Of 34 included patients, the average demographic was a Caucasian (62.9%) female (65.7%), with class-I or greater obesity (76.5%), hypertension (74.3%), dyslipidemia (48.6%), non-skin malignancy (40.0%), type II diabetes mellitus (34.3%), a ventral hernia working group class of III-IV (55.9%), a mean of 3 ± 2.2 prior surgeries, and mean fascial defect size of 12.3 x 13.5cm. Five were prior solid-organ transplant recipients. Four patients underwent simultaneous tumor extirpations and herniorrhaphy. Five cases (14.7%) were emergent. Removal of prior mesh was performed in 48.5% of cases-seven had infected mesh. Median length of stay was 7 days, with 141 days median follow-up time. Fifteen patients (44.1%) developed a complication. Hernia-specific complications were limited to healing problems. There were no recurrences.

This technique is easy and safe to employ in patients requiring high-risk complex abdominal reconstructions with minimal hernia-specific complications.