Fascia lata allografts as biological mesh in abdominal wall repair: preliminary outcomes from a retrospective case series.
BACKGROUND
The use of biological meshes in management of infected abdominal hernias or in abdominal fields at high risk of infection (potentially contaminated or with relevant comorbidities) is well established. Available products include xenogenic patches or decellularized dermal allografts. Despite their biomechanical features, banked fascial allografts have not been investigated yet in this setting. The authors evaluated the safety and effectiveness of banked fascia lata allografts as biological meshes in abdominal wall repair.


METHODS
A consecutive series of patients affected by abdominal wall defects and who were candidates for repair by means of a biological mesh and treated in the authors' institution with banked fascia lata allografts were reviewed retrospectively. Data from clinical and instrumental follow-up evaluations up to 48 months (average, 23 months) were analyzed.


RESULTS
Twenty-one patients (aged 1 to 86 years) with abdominal wall defects resulting from traumatic (n = 1), neoplastic (n = 6), or multiple previous laparotomies (n = 14) were treated from January of 2008 to October of 2012. Operations had no relevant postoperative complications. At clinical/instrumental follow-up examinations, no major signs of recurrence, laxity, infection of grafts, or other related pathologic symptoms were recorded. Three patients suffered from temporary minor complications (e.g., wound seroma, partial cutaneous dehiscence). At instrumental (computed tomographic scan or magnetic resonance imaging) evaluations, the neofascial tissue appeared stable until medium-term follow-up (3 to 6 months), later being gradually degraded and apparently replaced by host tissue.


CONCLUSIONS
According to limited preliminary outcomes, banked fascia lata allografts seem to provide a biocompatible, safe, and effective alternative to other biological meshes.


METHODS
Therapeutic, IV.
Padova, Italy From the Clinic of Plastic Surgery, Padova University Hospital.
Cesare
C
Tiengo
Giorgio
G
Giatsidis
Bruno
B
Azzena
D034861:Abdominal Wall / Q000601:surgery*; D058107:Abdominal Wound Closure Techniques; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005206:Fascia Lata / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome