Evaluation of acute fixation strength of absorbable and nonabsorbable barrier coated mesh secured with fibrin sealant

Impact of different fibrin glue application methods on inguinal hernia mesh fixation capability

The use of fibrin glue for inguinal hernia mesh fixation has been suggested to be effective in preventing hematomas and reducing postoperative pain compared to tacks and sutures.. The effect of fibrin glue can vary significantly based on the device used. This study assessed the efficacy of fibrin glue based on the type of devices used in an ex vivo system. The rabbit's abdominal wall was trimmed to a size of 3.0 × 6.0 cm and was secured at the edges with metal fixtures. To measure the maximum tensile strength at the point of adhesion failure, the hernia mesh was fixed to the rabbit's abdominal wall using fibrin glue in a 2 cm square area, left for 3 min, and then pulled at a speed of 50 cm/min. The test was conducted 10 times for each group. The median (minimum-maximum) tensile strength values using the spraying, two-liquid mixing, and sequential layering methods were 3.58 (1.99-4.95), 0.51 (0.27-1.89), and 1.32 (0.63-1.66) N, respectively. The spraying method had predominantly higher tensile strength values than the two-liquid mixing and sequential layering methods (P < 0.01). In conclusion, in hernia mesh fixation, the spraying method can be adopted to achieve appropriate adhesive effects.

Laparoscopic fixation of biological mesh at hiatus with glue and suture during hiatal hernia repair

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair is associated with higher recurrence rate. Mesh is used to reduce the recurrence rate. This retrospective study is to review our experience of biological mesh fixed with suture and medical glue in hiatal hernias repairs.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was conducted for a consecutive series of patients undergoing laparoscopic hiatal herniorrhaphy between January 2018 and January 2019. After hiatus closure, a piece of biological prosthesis was fixed with medical glue and suture for reinforcement of the crural closure. Clinical outcomes were reviewed, and data were collected regarding operative details, complications, symptoms, and follow-up imaging. Radiological evidence of any size of hiatal hernia was considered to indicate a recurrence.

RESULTS

Thirty-six patients underwent surgery uneventfully without any serious complication. There was no mortality. The follow-up was, on average, 18.4 months, and there was no symptomatic recurrence. There was one anatomical recurrence without any related presentation. The method of mesh fixation with medical glue and suture took 12 min on average, and the handling was fairly easy.

CONCLUSIONS

Biological mesh fixed with suture and medical glue was safe and effective for repairing large hiatal hernias. Of course, a longer follow-up is still needed for determining long-term outcomes.

Mesh fixation using novel bio-adhesive coating compared to tack fixation for IPOM hernia repair: in vivo evaluation in a porcine model

BACKGROUND

Mesh fixation in hernia repair is currently based on penetrating sutures or anchors, with proven early and late complications such as pain, adhesions, erosions, and anchor migration. In an attempt to reduce these complications, a bio-adhesive-based self-fixation system was developed. The purpose of this study was to assess the performance and safety of this novel self-adhesive mesh (LifeMesh™) by comparing it with standard tack fixation.

METHODS

A full-thickness abdominal wall defect was created bilaterally in 24 pigs. The defects were measured 14 days later, and laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh (IPOM) repairs were performed. In each animal, both LifeMesh and a titanium tack-fixed control, either uncoated polypropylene mesh (PP) or composite mesh (Symbotex™), were used. After 28 and 90 days, we performed macroscopic evaluation and analyzed the fixation strength, shrinkage, adhesion scores, and histopathology in all samples.

RESULTS

Measurements at both time points revealed that LifeMesh had fully conformed to the abdominal wall, and that its fixation strength was superior to that of the tack-fixated Symbotex and comparable to that of the tack-fixated PP. Shrinkage in all groups was similar. Adhesion scores with LifeMesh were lower than with PP and comparable with Symbotex at both time points. Histology demonstrated similar tissue responses in LifeMesh and Symbotex. Lack of necrosis, mineralization, or exuberant inflammatory reaction in all three groups pointed to their good progressive integration of the mesh to the abdominal wall. By 28 days the bio-adhesive layer in LifeMesh was substantially degraded, allowing a gradual tissue ingrowth that became the main fixation mode of this mesh to the abdominal wall.

CONCLUSIONS

The excellent incorporation of LifeMesh to the abdominal wall and its superior fixation strength, together with its low adhesion score, suggest that LifeMesh may become a preferred alternative for abdominal wall repair.

Cytotoxicity of Cyanoacrylate-Based Tissue Adhesives and Short-Term Preclinical In Vivo Biocompatibility in Abdominal Hernia Repair

Background

Cyanoacrylate(CA)-based tissue adhesives, although not widely used, are a feasible option to fix a mesh during abdominal hernia repair, due to its fast action and great bond strength. Their main disadvantage, toxicity, can be mitigated by increasing the length of their alkyl chain. The objective was to assess the in vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo biocompatibility in hernia repair of CAs currently used in clinical practice (Glubran(n-butyl) and Ifabond(n-hexyl)) and a longer-chain CA (OCA(n-octyl)), that has never been used in the medical field.

Methods

Formaldehyde release and cytotoxicity of unpolymerized(UCAs) and polymerized CAs(PCAs) were evaluated by macroscopic visual assessment, flow cytometry and Alamar Blue assays. In the preclinical evaluation, partial defects were created in the rabbit abdominal wall and repaired by fixing polypropylene prostheses using the CAs. At 14 days post-surgery, animals were euthanized for morphology, macrophage response and cell damage analyses.

Results

Formaldehyde release was lower as the molecular weight of the monomer increased. The longest side-chain CA(OCA) showed the highest cytotoxicity in the UCA condition. However, after polymerization, was the one that showed better behavior on most occasions. In vivo, all CAs promoted optimal mesh fixation without displacements or detachments. Seroma was evident with the use of Glubran, (four of six animals: 4/6) and Ifabond (2/6), but it was reduced with the use of OCA (1/6). Significantly greater macrophage responses were observed in groups where Glubran and Ifabond were used vs. sutures and OCA. TUNEL-positive cells were significantly higher in the Glubran and OCA groups vs. the suture group.

Conclusions

Although mild formaldehyde release occurred, OCA was the most cytotoxic during polymerization but the least once cured. The CAs promoted proper mesh fixation and have potential to replace traditional suturing techniques in hernia repair; the CAs exhibited good tissue integration and effective short-term biocompatibility, with the slightest seroma and macrophage response induced by OCA.

Fibrin sealant for mesh fixation in laparoscopic umbilical hernia repair: 1-year results of a randomized controlled double-blinded study

PURPOSE

Fibrin sealant for mesh fixation has significant positive effects on early outcome after laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR) compared with titanium tacks. Whether fibrin sealant fixation also results in better long-term outcome is unknown.

METHODS

We performed a randomized controlled trial including patients with umbilical hernia defects from 1.5 to 5 cm at three Danish hernia centres. We used a 12 cm circular mesh. Participants were randomized to fibrin sealant or titanium tack fixation. Patients were seen in the outpatient clinic at 1 and 12 months follow-up.

RESULTS

Forty patients were included of whom 34 were available for intention to treat analysis after 1 year. There were no significant differences in pain, discomfort, fatigue, satisfaction or quality of life between the two groups at the 1-year follow-up. Five patients (26 %) in the fibrin sealant group and one (6 %) in the tack group were diagnosed with a recurrence at the 1-year follow-up (p = 0.182) (overall recurrence rate 17 %). Hernia defects in patients with recurrence were significantly larger than in those without recurrence (median 4.0 vs. 2.8 cm, p = 0.009).

CONCLUSION

Patients with larger hernia defects and fibrin sealant mesh fixation had higher recurrence rates than expected, although the study was not powered for assessment of recurrence. There was no significant difference between groups in any parameters after the 1-year follow-up. The beneficial effects of mesh fixation with fibrin sealant on early outcome warrant further studies on optimization of the surgical technique to prevent recurrence.

Use of fibrin sealant (Tisseel/Tissucol) in hernia repair: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Abdominal wall and inguinal hernia repair are the most frequently performed surgical procedures in the United States and Europe. However, traditional methods of mesh fixation are associated with a number of problems including substantial risks of recurrence and of postoperative and chronic pain. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize the clinical safety and efficacy of Tisseel/Tissucol fibrin sealant for hernia mesh fixation.

METHODS

A PubMed title/abstract search was conducted using the following terms: (fibrin glue OR fibrin sealant OR Tisseel OR Tissucol) AND hernia repair. The bibliographies of the publications identified in the search were reviewed for additional references.

RESULTS

There were 36 Tisseel/Tissucol studies included in this review involving 5,993 patients undergoing surgery for hernia. In open repair of inguinal hernias, Tisseel compared favorably with traditional methods of mesh fixation, being associated with shorter operative times and hospital stays and a lower incidence of chronic pain. Similarly, after laparoscopic/endoscopic inguinal hernia repair, Tisseel/Tissucol was associated with less use of postoperative analgesics and less acute and chronic postoperative pain than tissue-penetrating mesh-fixation methods. Other end points of concern to surgeons and patients are the risks of inguinal hernia recurrence and of complications such as hematoma formation and intraoperative bleeding. Comparative studies show that Tisseel/Tissucol does not increase the risk of these outcomes and may, in fact, decrease the risk compared with tissue-penetrating fixation methods. When used in the repair of incisional hernias, Tisseel/Tissucol significantly decreased both postoperative morbidity and duration of hospital stay.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical evidence published to date supports the use of Tisseel/Tissucol as an option for mesh fixation in open and laparoscopic/endoscopic repair of inguinal and incisional hernias. Guidelines of the International Endohernia Society recommend fibrin sealant mesh fixation, especially in inguinal hernia repair. Nonfixation is reserved for selected cases.

Laparoscopic fixation of biologic mesh at the hiatus with fibrin or polyethylene glycol sealant in a porcine model

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to determine the acute and chronic fixation strengths achieved by fibrin or polyethylene glycol (PEG) sealants to secure biologic mesh at the esophageal hiatus in a porcine model.

METHODS

For this study, 32 female domestic pigs were divided into four groups of 8 each. The four groups respectively received acute fibrin sealant, acute PEG sealant, chronic fibrin sealant, and chronic PEG sealant. Laparoscopically, a 5.5 × 8.5-cm piece of Biodesign Surgisis Hiatal Hernia Graft (porcine small intestine submucosa) was oriented with the U-shaped cutout around the gastroesophageal junction and the short axis in the craniocaudal direction to simulate hiatal reinforcement with a biologic mesh. The mesh then was secured with 2 ml of either fibrin sealant or PEG sealant. The pigs in the acute groups were maintained alive for 2 h to allow for complete polymerization of the sealants, and the pigs in the chronic group were maintained alive for 14 days. After the pigs were euthanized, specimens of the mesh-tissue interface were subjected to lap shear testing to determine fixation strength, and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained slides were evaluated for evidence of remodeling.

RESULTS

No significant differences were observed between the acute and chronic fixation strengths or the remodeling characteristics of the two sealants. However, fixation strength increased significantly over time for both types of sealant. Evidence of remodeling also was significantly more pronounced in the chronic specimens than in the acute specimens.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated the feasibility of using fibrin or PEG sealants to secure biologic mesh at the hiatus in a porcine model.

Randomized clinical trial of fibrin sealant versus titanium tacks for mesh fixation in laparoscopic umbilical hernia repair

BACKGROUND

The use of tacks for mesh fixation may induce pain after surgery for ventral hernia. The aim of this study was to compare postoperative pain after laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR) with conventional mesh fixation using titanium tacks versus fibrin sealant (FS).

METHODS

This randomized clinical trial included patients with an umbilical hernia defect ranging from 1·5 to 5 cm at three Danish hernia centres. Participants were assigned randomly to FS or titanium tack fixation. The primary outcome was acute pain, defined as the mean pain score on days 0-2 after surgery, measured on a 0-100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS).

RESULTS

Forty patients were included, of whom 38 were available for intention-to-treat analysis after 1 month. Patients in the FS group reported less pain than those in the tack group on days 0-2, both at rest (median 19 versus 47 mm; P = 0·025) and during activity (38 versus 60 mm; P = 0·014). The absolute difference in pain score between groups was 19 (95 per cent confidence interval 3 to 34) and 20 (4 to 35) mm at rest and during activity respectively. Patients in the FS group resumed normal daily activity earlier (after median 7 versus 18 days; P = 0·027) and reported significantly less discomfort. No recurrences were observed.

CONCLUSION

Mesh fixation with FS in LVHR was associated with less acute postoperative pain, discomfort and a shorter convalescence than tack fixation. Long-term follow-up is needed to show whether the effect of FS fixation persists in terms of chronic pain and recurrence.

REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT00842842 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).

Histologic evaluation of absorbable and non-absorbable barrier coated mesh secured to the peritoneum with fibrin sealant in a New Zealand white rabbit model

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the histologic response to fibrin sealant (FS) as an alternative fixation method for laparoscopic ventral hernia repair.

METHODS

One non-absorbable barrier mesh (Composix™) and three absorbable barrier meshes (Sepramesh™, Proceed™, and Parietex™ Composite) were used for the study, with uncoated macroporous polypropylene mesh (ProLite Ultra™) as the control. Three methods of fixation were used: #0-polypropylene suture + FS (ARTISS™, Baxter Healthcare Corp.), FS alone (ARTISS™), or tacks alone (n = 10 for each group). Two pieces of mesh (of dimensions 4 × 4-cm) were secured intraperitoneally in 75 New Zealand white rabbits. After 8 weeks, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained specimens were evaluated for host tissue response. Statistical significance (P < 0.05) was determined using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Fisher's least significant difference (LSD) post hoc test.

RESULTS

Composix™ with FS only showed significantly greater cellular infiltration than with suture + FS (P = 0.0007), Proceed™ with FS only had significantly greater neovascularization than with suture + FS (P = 0.0172), and ProLite Ultra™ with suture + FS had significantly greater neovascularization than with tacks only (P = 0.046). Differences due to mesh type showed that Composix™ exhibited less extensive cellular infiltration (P ≤ 0.0032), extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, and neovascularization, and demonstrated less inflammatory cells and more fibroblasts compared to the other meshes (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

FS did not have a significant histologic effect compared to tacks when utilized for the fixation of mesh to the peritoneum of New Zealand White rabbits. However, the mesh type did have a significant histologic effect. The permanent barrier mesh (Composix™) was associated with less histologic incorporation than absorbable barrier and macroporous meshes, as evidenced by lower levels of cellular infiltration, ECM deposition, and neovascularization, independent of the fixation method used.