Interim data comparing TIGR® Matrix versus permanent mesh in ventral hernia presented at the European Hernia Society meeting

A new study presented at the European Hernia Society meeting in Vienna compared TIGR^® Matrix surgical mesh with large-pore synthetic mesh. This ongoing prospective randomized controlled multicenter trial compares the use of TIGR^® Matrix mesh with a permanent mesh located in a retromuscular fashion. All patients with ventral hernias less than 20 cm in length and 6 cm in width were eligible. Double-blind assessments of peri- and postoperative complications were obtained. The primary outcome is the recurrence rate at three-year follow-up. Follow-up is done after 4-6 weeks and 1, 2 and 3 years.

This interim analysis included 85 patients. Seven primary hernias were treated with TIGR^® Matrix mesh versus 12 in the control group. For incisional hernias, the respective numbers were 29 versus 37. Up to one year, no difference was observed in the rate of complications between the two groups and there was no recurrence of hernia in either. At two-year follow-up, which 60% of patients have reached, there has now been one recurrence in the control group and one in the TIGR^® Matrix group.

The investigators concluded that the long-term resorbable TIGR^® Matrix mesh shows acceptable results after 1-2 years of follow-up for small ventral hernias. Patients will be followed for three years.

“Ventral hernia repair using a long-term resorbable synthetic mesh versus a large-pore synthetic mesh: an international multicenter RCT”

L. Benmaridja¹, M. Miserez², M. Smietanski³, L. Jorgensen⁴, F. Berrevoet¹; ¹Ghent University Hospital, Gent, Belgium, ²Digestive and pediatric surgery, UZ Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium, ³Ceynowa Hospital, Wejherowo, Poland, ⁴Digestive Disease Center, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.