USE OF AN ABSORBABLE POLYGLACTIN MESH FOR THE PREVENTION OF INCISIONAL HERNIAS

Nowadays, incisional hernias are still one of the more common complica tions of abdominal surgical procedures. A population, at high risk of developing an incisional hernia, has been chosen for this study, namel y patients suffering from morbid obesity. The aim of the study was to compare prospectively the incidence of incisional hernias in 2 groups of patients operated upon for morbid obesity (Vertical Silicone Ring G astroplasty) with or without intraperitoneal polyglactin mesh. Patient s were randomly assigned in the 2 groups. For this preliminary study, 112 patients operated upon before 01/04/1992 were selected; the mean f ollow-up period was 28.3 months (S.D.: 5.7); 81 patients have been rev iewed personally, 31 interviewed by phone call or mail. The 2 groups o f patients were not significantly different as regarding age, sex, wei ght, body mass index, diabetes and wound infection. Sixteen incisional hernias were observed in the group with mesh and 17 in the group with out mesh. According to these preliminary results, there is no argument for recommending the use of a polyglactin mesh in the prevention of p ostoperative incisional hernias, in obese patients.