Using mesh repairs instead of suture repairs in primary ventral hernia repairs may increase the risk of a surgical site infection, according to a study in JAMA Surgery.
Researchers analyzed data on three quality measures using either mesh or sutures for primary ventral hernia repairs: hernia recurrence, SSIs and seromas — pockets of clear fluids that may develop after surgery.
Researchers found using mesh in ventral hernia repairs was associated with a lower hernia recurrence rate than with sutures, at 2.7 percent and 8.2 percent, respectively.
However, suture repairs had lower rates of SSIs and seromas than mesh repairs. Suture repairs had a 6.6 percent SSI rate and 3.8 percent seroma rate, while mesh repairs had a 7.3 percent SSI rate and a 7.7 percent seroma rate.
Researchers suggest further studies are needed to determine whether mesh or suture repairs lead to better outcomes for primary ventral herniorrhaphy patients.
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