Prophylactic Mesh Reinforcement After Open Aortic Aneurysm Repair

NCT06762561 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2348
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 20
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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).

Conditions

Incisional Hernia; Aortic Aneurysm

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Rate of incisional hernias

  Incisional hernia will be evaluated trough clinical examination and ultrasound assessement

  january-april 2025

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Rate of fascial dehiscence

  january-april 2025

• Rate of seromas

  january-april 2025

• Rate of surgical site infection

  january-april 2025

• Rate of hematomas

  january-april 2025

• Operative time

  january-april 2025

Study Arms (1)

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

Interventions

Prophylactic retromuscular mesh reinforcement PROCEDURE

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.

Prophylactic mesh reinforcement after open aortic aneurysm repair

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• 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.

You may qualify if:

• 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

You may not qualify if:

• 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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hôpital Fribourgeois: lead

Study Sites (1)

HFR Hopitaux Fribourgeois

Villars-sur-Glâne, Switzerland

RECRUITING

Related Publications (28)

• 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.

  PMID: 37905664 BACKGROUND

• 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.

  PMID: 36804613 BACKGROUND

• 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.

  PMID: 21820838 BACKGROUND

• 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.

  PMID: 37709391 BACKGROUND

• 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.

  PMID: 11339918 BACKGROUND

• 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.

  PMID: 15723991 BACKGROUND

• 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.

  PMID: 25690673 BACKGROUND

• 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.

  PMID: 21987434 BACKGROUND

• 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.

  PMID: 36026550 BACKGROUND

• 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.

  PMID: 38307694 BACKGROUND

• 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.

  PMID: 35762612 BACKGROUND

• 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.

  PMID: 26943336 BACKGROUND

• 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.

  PMID: 24820007 BACKGROUND

• 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.

  PMID: 20603858 BACKGROUND

• 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.

  PMID: 24983993 BACKGROUND

• 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.

  PMID: 28641875 BACKGROUND

• 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.

  PMID: 38188275 BACKGROUND

• 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.

  PMID: 39025216 BACKGROUND

• 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.

  PMID: 29685678 BACKGROUND

• 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.

  PMID: 31911135 BACKGROUND

• 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.

  PMID: 32927135 BACKGROUND

• 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.

  PMID: 35920944 BACKGROUND

• 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.

  PMID: 34375768 BACKGROUND

• 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.

  PMID: 26189071 BACKGROUND

• 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.

  PMID: 31672681 BACKGROUND

• 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.

  PMID: 32649617 BACKGROUND

• 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.

  PMID: 33907800 BACKGROUND

• Sguinzi R, Lagger M, Chevalley T, Gremaud B, Menth M, Buhler L, Adamina M. Prophylactic mesh reinforcement after open aortic aneurysm repair: a prospective cohort study. Front Surg. 2025 Nov 14;12:1658180. doi: 10.3389/fsurg.2025.1658180. eCollection 2025.

  PMID: 41321852 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Incisional Hernia; Aortic Aneurysm

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Hernia; Pathological Conditions, Anatomical; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Postoperative Complications; Pathologic Processes; Aneurysm; Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Aortic Diseases

Central Study Contacts

Raffaella Sguinzi, PhD

CONTACT

0041263062584; RaffaellaMaria.Sguinzi@h-fr.ch

Melissa Lagger

CONTACT

0041263062608; melissa.lagger@h-fr.ch

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: RETROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 31, 2024
• First Posted: January 7, 2025
• Study Start: June 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: October 31, 2025
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 31, 2026
• Last Updated: June 3, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-06

Locations

CH (1)