Prospective analysis of laparoscopic ventral hernia repair using the Ventralight™ ST hernia patch with or without the ECHO PS™ positioning system.

The purpose of the current prospective study was to confirm the results of our previous study on the use of the Ventralight™ ST mesh. In this study we also evaluated a pre-attached positioning system. Between July 2011 and October 2013 prospectively collected data of 61 consecutive patients who underwent a laparoscopic ventral hernia repair were analyzed. Short- and long-term outcomes were described. A total of 61 patients were treated in this period (men/women ratio 44/17). Overall median follow-up was 7 months (range 2-29). There were 30 patients with a follow-up of at least 12 months. Mean hernia diameter was 6 x 5 cm (craniocaudal x laterolateral) (range 1.5 x 1.5 to 20 x 15 cm). Overall mean length of hospital stay was 4.4 days. Postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) at last follow-up was significantly lower than the preoperative VAS (3.01 vs 0.68; P = 0.011) There were no intraoperative complications. In the whole group, only 6 patients (10%) showed minor complications. Four patients had mild discomfort, another 2 patients developed a clinically significant seroma. The complication rate in the subgroup with a follow-up of at least 1 year was 13%. No recurrences were observed. This study confirms our preliminary findings on the use of this mesh. The optional positioning system offers a significantly more quick and proper mesh positioning.