Original researchOpen ventral hernia repair using ProGrip™ self-gripping mesh

•20 patients with large primary incisional hernia were treated with ProGrip self-gripping mesh using open onlay technique.•Through 2 years follow-up, no infection, mesh removal, or hernia recurrence were reported.•At 2 years, all patients reported no pain, excellent hernia-specific quality of life, and were “very satisfied” with treatment.

PurposeSecure mesh fixation in incisional hernia repair is mandatory to prevent mesh dislocation and possible recurrence. Traditional fixation methods have been implicated as a source of chronic postoperative pain. We report 2-year outcomes with a self-gripping mesh for open tension-free repair of large incisional hernia.MethodsThis prospective case series enrolled 20 patients with large primary incisional hernia (mean defect size: 84 cm2). Patients were electively treated by a single surgeon using a macroporous polyester mesh with resorbable polylactic acid microgrips (ProGrip™, Covidien, Mansfield, MA, USA) using open onlay technique. Main outcomes included pain severity, Carolinas Comfort Scale (CCS), complications, and hernia recurrence. Patients returned for follow-up at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months.ResultsMedian mesh fixation time was 2 min. Mean operative time was 38 min and blood loss was minimal (50 cc). Most patients (75%) were discharged same day. The only perioperative complication was a minor seroma in one patient. Patient follow-up compliance through 2 years was 100%. Mean pain score was 1.8 at discharge, 0.9 at 1 month, 0.7 at 1 year, and 0 at 2 years. At 2-years, all patients were “very satisfied” with treatment and hernia-specific quality of life was excellent (mean CCS score = 0). No infection, mesh removal, or hernia recurrence occurred during follow-up.ConclusionsOpen repair using a self-gripping mesh is a viable treatment option in patients with large incisional hernia. Immediate mesh fixation facilitates a safe and durable tension-free repair.