title: Long-term Outcome on the use of the Ventralight™ ST Hernia Patch in Laparoscopic Ventral Hernia Repair.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR) is a common procedure in abdominal surgery. Use of mesh has become the gold standard in the last decade because of significantly fewer recurrences. Subsequently, the attention shifted to reduce mesh related complications in the short- and long-term as well as to facilitate its handling and positioning. In continuation of our previous study, we conducted a final analysis about the use of the Ventralight™ ST hernia patch (Davol Inc, Subsidary of C. R. Bard, Inc. Warwick, RI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospectively collected data of 61 consecutive patients (men/women: 44/17) from July 2011 to October 2013 were analysed in this final study. Patients were evaluated clinically at four time points in total. At the final clinical check- up, 97% of the total study population was reassessed. The primary outcome parameter was recurrence. Secondary outcome parameters were described in terms of mesh related complications, pain scores, and quality of life.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean follow-up time was 23 months (range 16-44). Mean length of hospital stay was four days (range 2-17). There were no operative complications. Two patients (both>80 years old) died more than one year after the procedure because of a cardiovascular event. One morbidly obese patient (2%) treated for a recurrent incisional hernia showed a second recurrence at the last follow-up visit. A clinical significant seroma was observed in two patients (3%) one month postoperatively. At last follow-up, two patients (3%) reported persistent mild discomfort at one specific spot. There was a significant reduction in the visual analogue scale (VAS) scores at the last follow-up visit compared to preoperative scores (3.01 vs. 0.27; P<0.01). Quality of life measurements using the SF-36 questionnaire showed good results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This final analysis of long-term follow-up results on the use of the Ventralight™ ST hernia patch in laparoscopic ventral hernia repair confirms our preliminary findings of the previous two reports. Use of the Ventralight™ ST hernia patch is associated with good short- and long-term outcomes and can be considered as safe and feasible in LVHR.
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Abdominal Surgery, Imelda Hospital, Bonheiden, Belgium.
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tollens
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Abdominal Surgery, Imelda Hospital, Bonheiden, Belgium.
authors.forename: Halit
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Topal
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Abdominal Surgery, Imelda Hospital, Bonheiden, Belgium.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lucardie
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Abdominal Surgery, Imelda Hospital, Bonheiden, Belgium.
authors.forename: Koen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vermeiren
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Abdominal Surgery, Imelda Hospital, Bonheiden, Belgium.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aelvoet
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006555:Hernia, Ventral / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D059685:Herniorrhaphy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D016896:Treatment Outcome