Prophylactic Mesh Reinforcement After Open Aortic Aneurysm Repair

Prophylactic Mesh Reinforcement After Open Aortic Aneurysm Repair: a Retrospective Study

The goal of this retrospective observational study is to evaluate whether prophylactic mesh reinforcement during abdominal wall closure can prevent incisional hernias (IH) in patients undergoing open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Does mesh reinforcement reduce the incidence of incisional hernias?
• What is the frequency of associated postoperative complications? Researchers will compare the outcomes of patients who underwent mesh-reinforced closures to literature-reported outcomes for non-mesh cases to assess differences in IH incidence and complications.

Participants will:

• Undergo clinical follow-ups and abdominal ultrasounds to detect IH.
• Complete quality-of-life questionnaires (EQ-5D and PROMIS).

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Incisional Hernia; Aortic Aneurysm
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: Prophylactic retromuscular mesh reinforcement

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 20

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Raffaella Sguinzi, PhD; Phone Number: 0041263062584; Email: RaffaellaMaria.Sguinzi@h-fr.ch
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Melissa Lagger; Phone Number: 0041263062608; Email: melissa.lagger@h-fr.ch

Study Locations

• Switzerland
  • Villars-sur-Glane, Switzerland
    • Recruiting
    • HFR Hopitaux Fribourgeois
    • Contact: Melissa Lagger, med. dipl; Phone Number: +41263062608; Email: melissa.lagger@h-fr.ch
    • Contact: Sguinzi Raffaella, PhD; Email: raffaellamaria.sguinzi@h-fr.ch
    • Principal Investigator: Michel Adamina, Prof

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consists of adult patients who underwent open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair with prophylactic retromuscular mesh reinforcement at the Fribourg Cantonal Hospital between 2019 and 2024.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult patients (≥18 years old) who underwent open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair with prophylactic retromuscular mesh reinforcement between January 2019 and January 2024
• Availability of complete medical records, including preoperative history, surgical details, and postoperative follow-up data
• Attendance at a clinical follow-up examination at least one year after the procedure
• General informed consent signed for the use of medical data for research purposes

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with incomplete or missing medical records, including preoperative, intraoperative, or follow-up data
• Patients who required a re-laparotomy involving incision or suture of the prophylactic mesh and subsequently developed an incisional hernia.
• Patients who did not attend the required clinical follow-up examination at least one year postoperatively.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort

Intervention / Treatment

Prophylactic mesh reinforcement after open aortic aneurysm repair; Patients who underwent open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair with prophylactic retromuscular mesh reinforcement at the Fribourg Cantonal Hospital between 2019 and 2024.

Procedure: Prophylactic retromuscular mesh reinforcement; Prophylactic retromuscular mesh placement involves reinforcing the abdominal wall during closure after open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair to prevent incisional hernias. This technique creates a retro-muscular space by carefully dissecting the rectus abdominis muscles from the posterior rectus sheath. A self-gripping polyester mesh or composite mesh is placed in this space, extending 4 cm beyond the midline on each side, ensuring tension-free coverage. The mesh is secured at key points, and the rectus sheaths are closed with continuous sutures. This approach leverages the anatomical integrity of the abdominal wall to reduce hernia risk without increasing postoperative complications.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Rate of incisional hernias	Incisional hernia will be evaluated trough clinical examination and ultrasound assessement	january-april 2025

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Operative time	will be searched in the operation protocols	january-april 2025
Rate of fascial dehiscence	Fascial dehiscence will be searched in the patient's records	january-april 2025
Rate of seromas	will be searched in the patient's records	january-april 2025
Rate of surgical site infection	will be searched in the patient's records	january-april 2025
Rate of hematomas	will be searched in the patient's records	january-april 2025

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Hôpital Fribourgeois

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Goodenough CJ, Ko TC, Kao LS, Nguyen MT, Holihan JL, Alawadi Z, Nguyen DH, Flores JR, Arita NT, Roth JS, Liang MK. Development and validation of a risk stratification score for ventral incisional hernia after abdominal surgery: hernia expectation rates in intra-abdominal surgery (the HERNIA Project). J Am Coll Surg. 2015 Apr;220(4):405-13. doi: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2014.12.027. Epub 2015 Jan 2.
• Muysoms FE, Detry O, Vierendeels T, Huyghe M, Miserez M, Ruppert M, Tollens T, Defraigne JO, Berrevoet F. Prevention of Incisional Hernias by Prophylactic Mesh-augmented Reinforcement of Midline Laparotomies for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Ann Surg. 2016 Apr;263(4):638-45. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000001369.
• Bali C, Papakostas J, Georgiou G, Kouvelos G, Avgos S, Arnaoutoglou E, Papadopoulos G, Matsagkas M. A comparative study of sutured versus bovine pericardium mesh abdominal closure after open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Hernia. 2015 Apr;19(2):267-71. doi: 10.1007/s10029-014-1262-4. Epub 2014 May 13.
• Bevis PM, Windhaber RA, Lear PA, Poskitt KR, Earnshaw JJ, Mitchell DC. Randomized clinical trial of mesh versus sutured wound closure after open abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery. Br J Surg. 2010 Oct;97(10):1497-502. doi: 10.1002/bjs.7137.
• Wanhainen A, Van Herzeele I, Bastos Goncalves F, Bellmunt Montoya S, Berard X, Boyle JR, D'Oria M, Prendes CF, Karkos CD, Kazimierczak A, Koelemay MJW, Kolbel T, Mani K, Melissano G, Powell JT, Trimarchi S, Tsilimparis N; ESVS Guidelines Committee; Antoniou GA, Bjorck M, Coscas R, Dias NV, Kolh P, Lepidi S, Mees BME, Resch TA, Ricco JB, Tulamo R, Twine CP; Document Reviewers; Branzan D, Cheng SWK, Dalman RL, Dick F, Golledge J, Haulon S, van Herwaarden JA, Ilic NS, Jawien A, Mastracci TM, Oderich GS, Verzini F, Yeung KK. Editor's Choice -- European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS) 2024 Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management of Abdominal Aorto-Iliac Artery Aneurysms. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2024 Feb;67(2):192-331. doi: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2023.11.002. Epub 2024 Jan 23.
• Endo T, Miyahara K, Shirasu T, Mochizuki Y, Taniguchi R, Takayama T, Hoshina K. Risk Factors for Incisional Hernia After Open Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair. In Vivo. 2023 Nov-Dec;37(6):2803-2807. doi: 10.21873/invivo.13393.
• Antoniou GA, Muysoms FE, Deerenberg EB. Updated Guideline on Abdominal Wall Closure from the European and American Hernia Societies: Transferring Recommendations to Clinical Practice for Vascular Surgeons. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2023 Jun;65(6):774-777. doi: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2023.02.009. Epub 2023 Feb 16. No abstract available.
• Antoniou GA, Georgiadis GS, Antoniou SA, Granderath FA, Giannoukas AD, Lazarides MK. Abdominal aortic aneurysm and abdominal wall hernia as manifestations of a connective tissue disorder. J Vasc Surg. 2011 Oct;54(4):1175-81. doi: 10.1016/j.jvs.2011.02.065. Epub 2011 Aug 6.
• DeAngelo N, Perez AJ. Hernia Prevention: The Role of Technique and Prophylactic Mesh to Prevent Incisional Hernias. Surg Clin North Am. 2023 Oct;103(5):847-857. doi: 10.1016/j.suc.2023.04.021. Epub 2023 Jun 9.
• Franchi M, Ghezzi F, Buttarelli M, Tateo S, Balestreri D, Bolis P. Incisional hernia in gynecologic oncology patients: a 10-year study. Obstet Gynecol. 2001 May;97(5 Pt 1):696-700. doi: 10.1016/s0029-7844(01)01192-9.
• Sorensen LT, Hemmingsen UB, Kirkeby LT, Kallehave F, Jorgensen LN. Smoking is a risk factor for incisional hernia. Arch Surg. 2005 Feb;140(2):119-23. doi: 10.1001/archsurg.140.2.119.
• Montalti R, Mimmo A, Rompianesi G, Serra V, Cautero N, Ballarin R, De Ruvo N, Cunningham Gerring R, Enrico Gerunda G, Di Benedetto F. Early use of mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors is an independent risk factor for incisional hernia development after liver transplantation. Liver Transpl. 2012 Feb;18(2):188-94. doi: 10.1002/lt.22445.
• Dewulf M, Muysoms F, Vierendeels T, Huyghe M, Miserez M, Ruppert M, Tollens T, van Bergen L, Berrevoet F, Detry O. Prevention of Incisional Hernias by Prophylactic Mesh-augmented Reinforcement of Midline Laparotomies for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Treatment: Five-year Follow-up of a Randomized Controlled Trial. Ann Surg. 2022 Oct 1;276(4):e217-e222. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000005545. Epub 2022 Jun 28.
• Timmermans L, Eker HH, Steyerberg EW, Jairam A, de Jong D, Pierik EG, Lases SS, van der Ham AC, Dawson I, Charbon J, Schuhmacher C, Izbicki JR, Neuhaus P, Knebel P, Fortelny R, Kleinrensink GJ, Jeekel J, Lange JF. Short-term results of a randomized controlled trial comparing primary suture with primary glued mesh augmentation to prevent incisional hernia. Ann Surg. 2015 Feb;261(2):276-81. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000000798.
• Van den Dop LM, Sneiders D, Yurtkap Y, Werba A, van Klaveren D, Pierik REGJM, Reim D, Timmermans L, Fortelny RH, Mihaljevic AL, Kleinrensink GJ, Tanis PJ, Lange JF, Jeekel J; PRIMA Trialist Group. Prevention of incisional hernia with prophylactic onlay and sublay mesh reinforcement vs. primary suture only in midline laparotomies (PRIMA): long-term outcomes of a multicentre, double-blind, randomised controlled trial. Lancet Reg Health Eur. 2023 Nov 22;36:100787. doi: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2023.100787. eCollection 2024 Jan.
• Hew CY, Rais T, Antoniou SA, Deerenberg EB, Antoniou GA. Prophylactic Mesh Reinforcement Versus Primary Suture for Abdominal Wall Closure after Elective Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair with Midline Laparotomy Incision: Updated Systematic Review Including Time-To-Event Meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Ann Vasc Surg. 2024 Dec;109:149-161. doi: 10.1016/j.avsg.2024.06.026. Epub 2024 Jul 16.
• Indrakusuma R, Jalalzadeh H, van der Meij JE, Balm R, Koelemay MJW. Prophylactic Mesh Reinforcement versus Sutured Closure to Prevent Incisional Hernias after Open Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair via Midline Laparotomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2018 Jul;56(1):120-128. doi: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2018.03.021. Epub 2018 Apr 22.
• Nicolajsen CW, Eldrup N. Abdominal Closure and the Risk of Incisional Hernia in Aneurysm Surgery - A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2020 Feb;59(2):227-236. doi: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2019.07.041. Epub 2020 Jan 3.
• Tansawet A, Numthavaj P, Techapongsatorn S, Wilasrusmee C, Attia J, Thakkinstian A. Mesh position for hernia prophylaxis after midline laparotomy: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Int J Surg. 2020 Nov;83:144-151. doi: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2020.08.059. Epub 2020 Sep 12.
• Aiolfi A, Cavalli M, Gambero F, Mini E, Lombardo F, Gordini L, Bonitta G, Bruni PG, Bona D, Campanelli G. Prophylactic mesh reinforcement for midline incisional hernia prevention: systematic review and updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Hernia. 2023 Apr;27(2):213-224. doi: 10.1007/s10029-022-02660-4. Epub 2022 Aug 3.
• Tansawet A, Numthavaj P, Techapongsatorn S, McKay G, Attia J, Pattanaprateep O, Thakkinstian A. Risk-benefit assessment of onlay and retrorectus mesh augmentation for incisional hernia prophylaxis: A secondary analysis from network meta-analysis. Int J Surg. 2021 Aug;92:106053. doi: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2021.106053. Epub 2021 Aug 8.
• Fischer JP, Basta MN, Wink JD, Krishnan NM, Kovach SJ. Cost-utility analysis of the use of prophylactic mesh augmentation compared with primary fascial suture repair in patients at high risk for incisional hernia. Surgery. 2015 Sep;158(3):700-11. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2015.02.030. Epub 2015 Jul 15.
• Lima HVG, Rasslan R, Novo FCF, Lima TMA, Damous SHB, Bernini CO, Montero EFS, Utiyama EM. Prevention of Fascial Dehiscence with Onlay Prophylactic Mesh in Emergency Laparotomy: A Randomized Clinical Trial. J Am Coll Surg. 2020 Jan;230(1):76-87. doi: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2019.09.010. Epub 2019 Oct 28.
• Jakob MO, Haltmeier T, Candinas D, Beldi G. Biologic mesh implantation is associated with serious abdominal wall complications in patients undergoing emergency abdominal surgery: A randomized-controlled clinical trial. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2020 Dec;89(6):1149-1155. doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000002877.
• Pizza F, D'Antonio D, Ronchi A, Lucido FS, Brusciano L, Marvaso A, Dell'Isola C, Gambardella C. Prophylactic sublay non-absorbable mesh positioning following midline laparotomy in a clean-contaminated field: randomized clinical trial (PROMETHEUS). Br J Surg. 2021 Jun 22;108(6):638-643. doi: 10.1093/bjs/znab068.
• Deerenberg EB, Henriksen NA, Antoniou GA, Antoniou SA, Bramer WM, Fischer JP, Fortelny RH, Gok H, Harris HW, Hope W, Horne CM, Jensen TK, Kockerling F, Kretschmer A, Lopez-Cano M, Malcher F, Shao JM, Slieker JC, de Smet GHJ, Stabilini C, Torkington J, Muysoms FE. Updated guideline for closure of abdominal wall incisions from the European and American Hernia Societies. Br J Surg. 2022 Nov 22;109(12):1239-1250. doi: 10.1093/bjs/znac302.
• Jairam AP, Timmermans L, Eker HH, Pierik REGJM, van Klaveren D, Steyerberg EW, Timman R, van der Ham AC, Dawson I, Charbon JA, Schuhmacher C, Mihaljevic A, Izbicki JR, Fikatas P, Knebel P, Fortelny RH, Kleinrensink GJ, Lange JF, Jeekel HJ; PRIMA Trialist Group. Prevention of incisional hernia with prophylactic onlay and sublay mesh reinforcement versus primary suture only in midline laparotomies (PRIMA): 2-year follow-up of a multicentre, double-blind, randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2017 Aug 5;390(10094):567-576. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(17)31332-6. Epub 2017 Jun 20.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): June 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 31, 2025
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 31, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 31, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 31, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): January 7, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 3, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 2, 2025
• Last Verified: June 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Postoperative Complications; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Anatomical; Hernia; Aortic Diseases; Incisional Hernia; Aneurysm; Aortic Aneurysm
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2348

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No