NCT04311788

Brief Summary

244 patients, who have an emergency midline laparotomy for any gastrointestinal reason, will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio either to mesh group with a retrorectus prophylactic self-gripping mesh or to control group with 4:1 small stitch closure by continuous monofilament suture. They will be followed up at 30 days, 2 and 5 years to detect the incidence of incisional hernia.

Trial Health

75
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
109

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable

Timeline
23mo left

Started Apr 2020

Longer than P75 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

7 active sites

Status
active not recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Progress77%
Apr 2020Mar 2028

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

March 7, 2020

Completed
10 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

March 17, 2020

Completed
1 month until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

April 27, 2020

Completed
4.8 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

February 3, 2025

Completed
3.1 years until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

March 1, 2028

Expected
Last Updated

February 1, 2024

Status Verified

January 1, 2024

Enrollment Period

4.8 years

First QC Date

March 7, 2020

Last Update Submit

January 31, 2024

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Incidence of incisional hernia

    Incidence of incisional hernia, either symptomatic or asymptomatic detected clinically and/or radiologically

    2 years

Secondary Outcomes (10)

  • Comprehensive Complication Index

    30 days

  • Surgical site infection (SSI) rate

    30 days

  • Fascial rupture

    30 days

  • Incisional hernia

    5 years

  • Incisional hernia repair rate

    5 years

  • +5 more secondary outcomes

Study Arms (2)

Intervention group

EXPERIMENTAL

Prophylactic self gripping mesh (Program, Medtronic) will be placed in rectorectus space to prevent incisional hernia.

Device: Prophylactic self gripping mesh

Control group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Abdomen of the patients in the control group will be closed by using small stitch closure with suture to wound length of 4:1 and slowly absorbable monofilament suture.

Device: Slowly absorbable continuous monofilament suture

Interventions

Prophylactic self gripping mesh, Propgrip by Medtronic.

Intervention group

Fascial closure by continuous slowly absorbable 4:1 suture

Control group

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Midline emergency laparotomy for any gastrointestinal indication

You may not qualify if:

  • Previous ventral hernia repair with mesh in the midline
  • Previous inguinal or femoral hernia repair by any technique with mesh is accepted
  • Previous WHO class of physical activity 3-4 (WHO 3 more than 50% of time at rest, WHO 4 stays at rest most of the time)
  • Relaparotomy
  • Indication for laparotomy is incarcerated hernia
  • Pregnant or suspected pregnancy
  • \<18 years
  • Metastastic malignancy of any origin
  • Planned osteomyelitis
  • Patients living geographically distant and/or unwilling to return for follow-ups
  • No informed consent
  • Abdomen is left open
  • Second look laparotomy planned
  • Ostomy created at the operation
  • Inability to keep the mesh securely out of the peritoneal cavity or close the anterior fascia
  • +2 more criteria

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (7)

Jorvi Hospital

Espoo, Finland

Location

Helsinki University Hospital

Helsinki, Finland

Location

Lahti Central Hospital

Lahti, Finland

Location

Oulu University Hospital

Oulu, Finland

Location

Seinäjoki Central Hospital

Seinäjoki, Finland

Location

Tampere University Hospital

Tampere, Finland

Location

Turku University Hospital

Turku, Finland

Location

Related Publications (2)

  • Makarainen E, Tolonen M, Sallinen V, Mentula P, Leppaniemi A, Ahonen M, Saarnio J, Pinta T, Lampela H, Malmi H, Lietzen E, Nikki M, Ohtonen P, Muysoms F, Rautio T. Prophylactic Retrorectus Mesh Versus Small-Stitch Closure After Emergency Midline Laparotomy: 2-Year Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial. J Abdom Wall Surg. 2025 Nov 27;4:15500. doi: 10.3389/jaws.2025.15500. eCollection 2025.

  • Makarainen E, Tolonen M, Sallinen V, Mentula P, Leppaniemi A, Ahonen-Siirtola M, Saarnio J, Ohtonen P, Muysoms F, Rautio T. Prophylactic retrorectus mesh versus no mesh in midline emergency laparotomy closure for prevention of incisional hernia (PREEMER): study protocol for a multicentre, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial. BJS Open. 2022 Jan 6;6(1):zrab142. doi: 10.1093/bjsopen/zrab142.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Incisional Hernia

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

HerniaPathological Conditions, AnatomicalPathological Conditions, Signs and SymptomsPostoperative ComplicationsPathologic Processes

Study Officials

  • Elisa Mäkäräinen-Uhlbäck, M.D.

    Oulu University Hospital

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
PREVENTION
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

March 7, 2020

First Posted

March 17, 2020

Study Start

April 27, 2020

Primary Completion

February 3, 2025

Study Completion (Estimated)

March 1, 2028

Last Updated

February 1, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-01

Locations