Observational Study analyzing the long-term results of prophylactic mesh used for preventing incisional hernia after emergency midline laparotomies.

Background. Prevention of incisional hernias with a prophylactic mesh in emergency surgery is controversial. The present study aimed to analyze the long-term results of prophylactic mesh used for preventing incisional hernia after emergency midline laparotomies.

Methods. This study was a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent an emergency midline laparotomy between January 2009 and July 2010 with a follow-up period of longer than 2 years. Long-term outcomes and risk factors for the development of incisional hernias between patients who received a prophylactic reinforcement mesh (Group M) and suture (Group S) were compared.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients undergoing emergency midline laparotomy

Exclusion Criteria:

• Those with need of concomitant hernia repair.
• Those who received incisions outside the midline.
• Those with delayed abdominal closure.
• Those who died in the immediate postoperative period.
• Those without a minimum 2 years of follow-up.

Patients who underwent emergency midline laparotomies in the period between January 2009 and July 2010 in our University Hospital. We included all consecutive patients. with at least 2 years of follow-up.