title: Comparable results with 3-year follow-up for large-pore versus small-pore meshes in open incisional hernia repair.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Decreasing the amount of polypropylene by increasing pore size produces a lighter weight mesh that may improve tissue ingrowth and, functional properties of the abdominal wall and diminish mesh-related complications. It was the aim of this prospective observational cohort study to analyze the outcome of incisional hernia repair using small-pore versus large-pore meshes and using a standardized, open, retromuscular surgical technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  Across a 6-year period we analyzed 205 patients treated with a heavyweight mesh (group I) and 235 patients treated with a large-pore mesh (group II) for incisional hernias. Patients with a body mass index greater than 40 kg/m(2) and patients with hernias with a transverse diameter of more than 10 cm were not treated by a retromuscular mesh repair and are not included in this analysis. Recurrent incisional hernias also were not included. Both groups had 3 years of follow-up. Patients were evaluated for pain, discomfort, feeling of foreign material, and recurrences.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pre-operative characteristics were comparable between the groups, including body mass index, diabetes, and smoking. The mean total hernia surface was 56 cm(2) for group I versus 48 cm(2) in group II. The mesh surface area was 448 cm(2) for group I and 425 cm(2) for group II. Considering pain scores, there was only a minor difference between the 2 groups at 1-month follow-up, at which time, the Visual Analogue Scale was 5.8 in group I and 4.9 in group II (P = .16). All other scores were comparable between the groups. In group I, 7 recurrences (3.4%) were recorded after 3 years, of which 6 were already apparent 1 year after initial repair. In group II, 9 recurrences (3.8%) were diagnosed, again 6 within the first year after repair.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Large-pore meshes can be used safely for open primary incisional hernia repair with an equal outcome compared with small-pore meshes in nonobese patients with defects smaller than 10 cm in width, in regard to both recurrence rates and chronic discomfort.
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Hepatobiliary Surgery, University Hospital Medical School, Ghent, Belgium. frederik.berrevoet@Ugent.be
authors.forename: Frederik
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Berrevoet
authors.forename: Leander
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Maes
authors.forename: Luc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Baerdemaeker
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Rogiers
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Troisi
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: de Hemptinne
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D046449:Hernia, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D013526:Surgical Mesh / Q000009:adverse effects