Prospective repair of Ventral Hernia Working Group type 3 and 4 abdominal wall defects with condensed polytetrafluoroethylene (MotifMESH) mesh

Abstract Background Treatment of clean–contaminated and contaminated ventral hernia defects remains controversial. Newer prosthetic materials may play an important role in these patients. Methods Ten patients with Ventral Hernia Working Group types 3 and 4 were prospectively enrolled and subsequently treated with direct supported repairs with condensed fenestrated polytetrafluoroethylene mesh. The primary outcome was hernia occurrence at 1 year after surgery. Secondary outcomes included surgical site infection, surgical site occurrence, medical complications, pain, and other patient-reported outcomes. Results There were no immediate postoperative infections and one minor postoperative hematoma treated in the office. One patient required delayed mesh removal 9 months after placement. Importantly, the mesh removal procedure was straightforward because of the material properties of the mesh. Of the 9 patients still with mesh, there were no hernia recurrences at the repair site with one full year of follow-up. Conclusion Contaminated and clean–contaminated abdominal wall defects can be effectively and durably treated with condensed polytetrafluoroethylene mesh.