Prosthetic repair has become the standard method for hernia repair. Mesh placement for the prevention of trocar site incisional hernia (TSIH) is still a controversial issue. We tested the hypothesis that closure with an intraperitoneal prophylactic mesh of the umbilical trocar after a laparoscopic cholecystectomy can reduce the incidence of a TSIH in high-risk patients. A randomized clinical trial was conducted among patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy who presented the following high-risk factors for incisional hernia, according to the literature: age 65 years and older, diabetes mellitus, chronic pulmonary disease, and obesity (ie, body mass index ≥30 kg/m(2)). Patients were assigned to have closure of the umbilical trocar site with either nonabsorbable sutures (group A) or intraperitoneal polypropylene omega-3 mesh (group B). Trocar site incisional hernia, pain, and surgical complications were evaluated at the early postoperative course and at 1, 6, and 12 months after surgery. A total of 106 patients were randomized into the study and 92 patients were finally analyzed, including 47 in group A and 45 in group B. The TSIH rate was higher in group A (31.9%) than in group B (4.4%) (odds ratio = 10.1; 95% CI, 2.15-47.6; p < 0.001)). The wound infection rate was 4.3%; 8.5% in group A and 0% in group B (odds ratio = 2.04; 95% CI, 1.7-2.5; p = 0.045). Median postoperative pain evaluated by a visual analogue scale was 3 in group A and 2 in group B (p = 0.05). No differences were observed in complication rate, operative time, or hospital stay between the groups. Prosthetic closure of the umbilical trocar site after laparoscopic surgery could become the standard method for preventing TSIH in high-risk patients.

BACKGROUND: Triclosan-coated sutures have been shown to reduce surgical-site infection (SSI) in emergent operation for fecal peritonitis. Barbed sutures provoke a homogeneous distribution of tension throughout the suture, implying better blood supply to the wound edges and healing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect, on SSI and evisceration, of using triclosan-coated and barbed sutures for fascial closure in patients undergoing emergent surgery. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, randomized clinical trial was performed. Patients were randomized into 3 groups: those undergoing aponeurotic closure with triclosan-coated barbed suture (Stratafix Symmetric [Johnson & Johnson]), patients undergoing closure with triclosan-coated polydioxanone loop suture (PDS plus [Johnson & Johnson]), and patients undergoing closure with polydioxanone loop suture (PDS [Johnson & Johnson]). Primary investigated outcomes were SSI and evisceration rates during a follow-up period of 30 days. The primary analysis plan was based on a per-protocol approach. RESULTS: Incisional SSI was 6.4% (3 of 47) in the Stratafix Symmetric group, 8.9% (4 of 45) in the PDS plus group, and 23.4% (11 of 47) in PDS group (p = 0.03). The evisceration rate was 0% in Stratafix Symmetric, 8.9% (4 of 45) in PDS plus, and 12.8% (6 of 47) in PDS (p = 0.05). Median hospital stay was 4 days (range 2 to 14 days) in Stratafix Symmetric, 5 days (range 2 to 21 days) in PDS plus, and 8 days (range 2 to 60 days) in PDS (p = 0.012). The use of triclosan-coated sutures (Stratafix Symmetric and PDS plus) was associated with a lower risk of incisional SSI (p = 0.009), and the use of barbed suture was associated with a lower risk of evisceration (p = 0.019). Comparing Stratafix Symmetric with PDS plus, there were no significant differences in SSIs, but the evisceration rate was significantly higher in the PDS plus group (p = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: The use of triclosan-coated sutures (Stratafix Symmetric and PDS plus) in emergent surgery reduces the incidence of incisional SSIs. The use of barbed sutures reduces the incidence of evisceration.