Laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay repair of abdominal incisional and ventral hernias with polyvinylidene fluoride-coated polypropylene mesh; A retrospective study with short to medium term results

Laparoscopic repair of incisional and ventral hernias has increased in popularity due to reduced pain, shorter length of stay and earlier return to work. Dynamesh Intraperitoneal onlay mesh (IPOM), a composite of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) coated polypropylene (PP) was designed to utilize the properties of both materials. This retrospective study reports a single surgeon experience with laparoscopic IPOM using Dynamesh , to ascertain any short to medium term complications. Forty consecutive patients underwent intraperitoneal onlay mesh repair with Dynamesh in a District General hospital (DGH) over a 33 month period. Data was collected retrospectively from medical notes, clinical assessment and telephone interviews. Short term complications include development of seromas post operatively in three patients which were successfully drained. One patient was readmitted with small bowel obstruction that was successfully managed conservatively. Medium term results showed two further seromas. Our recurrence rate is 13% after a mean follow up of 15 months. On submission of this manuscript, none of the patients have had to undergo surgical re-intervention for Dynamesh related complications. We have not noticed any significant short to medium term complications with Dynamesh in our experience. The debate about the best composite mesh continues; only a randomised control trial between the different meshes, with long term follow up can determine the true incidence of complications.