Prophylactic Mesh Repairs Defects in the Abdominal Wall

A new prosthesis shaped like an "upside down T” substantially reduces cases of incisional hernias, apertures in the abdominal wall, which typically arise from the scar of a previous surgery.

Researchers from the University of Alcalá (UAH, Spain) developed and patented a new device, called the Laparomesh, to prevent the occurrence of incisional hernias. The Laparomesh prosthesis has the shape of an upside down T and it is constructed of silicone and polypropylene, biomaterials that will not be absorbed by the body. Hernia prevention is carried out by the incorporation of prosthesis into the suture of the abdominal wall, and designed to increase the cohesive forces of the scar. This added reinforcement of the linea alba efficiently consolidates the suture of the laparotomy. The prosthetic patch thus encloses both apertures of the abdominal wall, attaching itself to the different anatomical planes by means of a polypropylene suture.

"The current average number of cases of incisional hernias is around 15% to 20%,” said lead developer Professor Juan Manuel Bellón, M.D., of the department of surgery, "and using this newly patented mesh is estimated to reduce these numbers to 3%-4%.”

A hernia is produced when the content of the abdominal cavity protrudes through a weakened natural orifice of the abdominal wall such as the inguinal canal, the umbilical area, the epigastrium, or a previous incision in the abdomen such as from a surgical operation. Hernias are more frequent in the groin or navel areas and in the area of an old surgical scar, and they never improve or disappear naturally; on the contrary, they tend to grow. Not only painful but unaesthetic as well, hernias can produce complications such as bowel obstructions and strangulations. One of the most susceptible areas for their appearance is the linea alba, especially when oblique-transverse fibers are sectioned, which is what occurs in the longitudinal laparotomy procedures. The likelihood of patients developing incisional hernias increases with associated risks, such as advanced age, neoplasia related surgery, obesity, and related chronic pathologies.


Related Links:
University of Alcalá