Comparison of infectious complications with synthetic mesh in ventral hernia repair

Background: Infection can be a devastating complication associated with prosthetic incisional hernia repair. It is unclear whether the type of mesh used affects the risk of infection. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of all patients who underwent elective incisional hernia repair with permanent prosthetic mesh between January 1, 2000, and August 1, 2007. Results: A total of 176 patients underwent elective incisional hernia repair with mesh. The overall infection rate with the use of goretex (Flagstaff, AZ, USA) was 12 of 86 (14%) and 2 of 90 (2.2%) in cases in which nongoretex material was used (P =.016). In the goretex group, infection rates were significantly higher in open versus laparoscopic cases (26.5% vs 5.8%, P =.030). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was the most common organism recovered. Conclusions: The risk of mesh infection with the use of goretex was found to be higher than with the use of nongoretex mesh. Laparoscopic placement of goretex reduces this risk of infection. No significant differences in recurrence rates were found.