Use of an absorbable polyglactin mesh for the prevention of incisional hernias

Nowadays, incisional hernias are still one of the more common complications of abdominal surgical procedures. A population, at high risk of developing an incisional hernia, has been chosen for this study, namely patients suffering from morbid obesity. The aim of the study was to compare prospectively the incidence of incisional hernias in 2 groups of patients operated upon for morbid obesity (Vertical Silicone Ring Gastroplasty) with or without intraperitoneal polyglactin mesh. Patients were randomly assigned in the 2 groups. For this preliminary study, 112 patients operated upon before 01/04/1992 were selected; the mean follow-up period was 28.3 months (S.D.:5.7); 81 patients have been reviewed personally, 31 interviewed by phone call or mail. The 2 groups of patients were not significantly different as regarding age, sex, weight, body mass index, diabetes and wound infection. Sixteen incisional hernias were observed in the group with mesh and 17 in the group without mesh. According to these preliminary results, there is no argument for recommending the use of the polyglactin mesh in the prevention of postoperative incisional hernias, in obese patients.