PROPHYLACTIC MESH FOR PREVENTION OF INCISIONAL HERNIA IN HIGH-RISK PATIENTS: PVDF "VISIBLE" MESH BEHAVIOUR ON MRI

Abstract Aim According to the guidelines, prophylactic mesh placement appears to be an effective, safe procedure in high-risk patients for the prevention of incisional hernia (IH) after midline laparotomy, without its use being standardized. Knowing its radiological behaviour can resolve doubts about its use. Material and Methods This was a prospective observational cohort study. The included patients needed to have more than one risk factor for IH (age> 60 years old, Body Mass Index > 30kg/m2, diabetes, chronic bronchopathy, heart disease, smoking, kidney disease, neoplasia, liver disease, immunosuppression or an emergency operation). Follow-up included 6-week and 12-month postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). If MRI was not performed, we used the follow-up computed tomography (CT). Results Between July 2016 and March 2021, 54 patients were enrolled in the study. Surgery was emergent in 14.8% of cases, clean-contaminated in 87% and upper gastrointestinal surgery in 51.9%. A total of 43 MRI and 3 CT at 6-week and 30 MRI and 2 CT at 12-month were carried out. The median of the mesh area were 150.7 vs 150,1cm2 respectively. 91% of cases had the mesh lined to the fascia at 12 months. The bridging in the linea alba was zero in 61% at 6-weeks and 24% at 12-month follow-up, mean 9 vs 19mm (p = 0.001). Conclusions The use of imaging tests to know the postoperative behaviour of a Polyvinylidenfluorid (PVDF) “visible” mesh shows us that there is no mesh contraction at one year or detachment of the fascia, however we observe a significant tendency in the separation of the linea alba.