title: [Results of laparoscopic repair of abdominal wall hernias using an ePTFE-polypropylene composite mesh].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The standard technique for laparoscopic ventral hernioplasty (peritoneal onlay) reduces the recurrence rate and the rate of other complications, in particular the risk of infections. However, the procedure requires a special mesh to mitigate the risk of visceral adhesions. For this purpose an ePTFE mesh is generally used. There are limited reported clinical data regarding the long-term results and benefits of other biomaterials.
  
  
  METHODS
  Bard Composix mesh was used for laparoscopic ventral hernia repair. This biomaterial combines two different clinically proven materials--polypropylene with a thin layer of ePTFE--to maximize ingrowth of surrounding tissue, while mitigating the risk of visceral adhesions. Demographic, operative and postoperative data were collected and analyzed. Follow-up clinical evaluations were conducted 6-10 days, 4 weeks, and every 6 (th) month after surgery in all patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifteen patients were involved in the study. The mean operating time was 101.2 min (64-190 min). There were no intraoperative complications or conversion to open procedure. Postoperative complications were 1 seroma, 4 cases of prolonged ileus, one tacks-site pain requiring second-look laparoscopy. Hospital discharge occurred on average 6 days (3-10 days) after surgery. The mean follow-up was 12.4 months (range 5-29 months). No late complications or hernia recurrence were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic prosthetic ventral hernioplasty using the composite polypropylene/ePTFE mesh offers short hospital stay and acceptable complications for primary and recurrent ventral hernias. Disadvantage of the composite mesh is the difficulty to roll this product into a sufficiently small size to permit its easy introduction into the abdominal cavity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Bugat Pal Hospital, Gyongyos, Hungary.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gal
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Balint
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Szabo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006555:Hernia, Ventral / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011126:Polypropylenes; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D012008:Recurrence; D013526:Surgical Mesh
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011126:Polypropylenes; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene