Results of the usage of biological mesh in the repair of complex abdominal wall defects in patients post transplantation and general surgery . the feasibility of using mri in follow up .

Immunosuppressive therapy, inflammation, and surgical site or general infection make the use of traditional methods for abdominal wall closure ineffective and preclude the application of synthetic mesh. In such difficult cases, the utilization of the biological material, such as PermacolTM, a porcine acellular dermal collagen implant, may be a solution. The purpose of this study was to analyse the use of biological mesh in patients in whom the closure of abdominal wall defect with other methods was not possible and to compare outcomes in patients after transplantation and general surgery. The study group consisted of 14 patients, including 6 patients after transplantation. The evaluation of wound healing was based on a clinical examination and in selected patients on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that is an excellent examination however it should not be considered as an examination of choice in such cases. Only 3 uneventful outcomes were observed. Biological meshes may be used in patients in whom other ways of treatment had failed; still a prolonged time of wound healing should be expected. It seems, that it is safe to use PermacolTM in post transplantational patients. Implanting PermacolTM and negative pressure wound therapy can be combined.