Patterns of recurrence and mechanisms of failure after open ventral hernia repair with mesh

Recurrence after ventral hernia repair (VHR) remains a significant complication. We sought to identify the technical aspects of VHR associated with recurrence. Patients who underwent open midline VHR between 2006 and 2013 (n = 261) were retrospectively evaluated. Patients with recurrence (Group 1, n = 48) were compared with those without recurrence (Group 2, n = 213). Smoking, diabetes, and body mass index were not different between groups. More patients in Group 1 underwent clean-contaminated, contaminated, or dirty procedures (43.8 vs 27.7%; P = 0.021). Group 1 had a higher incidence of surgical site occurrence (52.1 vs 32.9%; P = 0.020) and surgical site infection (43.8 vs 15.5%; P < 0.001). Recurrences were due to central mesh failure (CMF) (39.6%), midline recurrence after biologic or bioabsorbable mesh repair (18.8%), superior midline (16.7%), lateral (16.7%), and after mesh explantation (12.5%). Most CMF (78.9%) occurred with light-weight polypropylene (LWPP). Recurrence was higher if the midline fascia was unable to be closed. Recurrence with midweight polypropylene (MWPP)was lower than biologic (P < 0.001), bioabsorbable (P = 0.006), and light-weight polypropylene (P = 0.046) mesh. Fixation, component separation technique, and mesh position were not different between groups. Wound complications are associated with subsequent recurrence, whereas midweight polypropylene is associated with a lower overall risk of recurrence and, specifically, CMF.