Ellis RC, Petro CC, Krpata DM, Beffa LRA, Miller BT, Montelione KC, Maskal SM, Tu C, Huang LC, Lau B, Fafaj A, Rosenblatt S, Rosen MJ, Prabhu AS. Transfascial Fixation vs No Fixation for Open Retromuscular Ventral Hernia Repairs: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
JAMA Surg 2023;
158:789-795. [PMID:
37342018 PMCID:
PMC10285673 DOI:
10.1001/jamasurg.2023.1786]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
Importance
Transfascial (TF) mesh fixation in open retromuscular ventral hernia repair (RVHR) has been advocated to reduce hernia recurrence. However, TF sutures may cause increased pain, and, to date, the purported advantages have never been objectively measured.
Objective
To determine whether abandonment of TF mesh fixation would result in a noninferior hernia recurrence rate at 1 year compared with TF mesh fixation in open RVHR.
Design, Setting, and Participants
In this prospective, registry-based, double-blinded, noninferiority, parallel-group, randomized clinical trial, a total of 325 patients with a ventral hernia defect width of 20 cm or less with fascial closure were enrolled at a single center from November 29, 2019, to September 24, 2021. Follow-up was completed December 18, 2022.
Interventions
Eligible patients were randomized to mesh fixation with percutaneous TF sutures or no mesh fixation with sham incisions.
Main Outcome and Measures
The primary outcome was to determine whether no TF suture fixation was noninferior to TF suture fixation for open RVHR with regard to recurrence at 1 year. A 10% noninferior margin was set. The secondary outcomes were postoperative pain and quality of life.
Results
A total of 325 adults (185 women [56.9%]; median age, 59 [IQR, 50-67] years) with similar baseline characteristics were randomized; 269 patients (82.8%) were followed up at 1 year. Median hernia width was similar in the TF fixation and no fixation groups (15.0 [IQR, 12.0-17.0] cm for both). Hernia recurrence rates at 1 year were similar between the groups (TF fixation, 12 of 162 [7.4%]; no fixation, 15 of 163 [9.2%]; P = .70). Recurrence-adjusted risk difference was found to be -0.02 (95% CI, -0.07 to 0.04). There were no differences in immediate postoperative pain or quality of life.
Conclusions and Relevance
The absence of TF suture fixation was noninferior to TF suture fixation for open RVHR with synthetic mesh. Transfascial fixation for open RVRH can be safely abandoned in this population.
Trial Registration
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03938688.
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