Postoperative outcomes and wound events in incisional hernia repair using hybrid mesh: results from a prospective multicenter italian study

Purpose The complexity of managing ventral hernias leads surgeons to explore different optimal techniques and mesh selection. Hybrid meshes, combining absorbable and permanent components, aim to balance long-term durability and infection risk. This study evaluated the extended-term outcomes of GORE (R) SYNECOR intraperitoneal (IP) biomaterial for incisional hernia repair through minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques. Methods Conducted across eight Italian surgery centers from January 2020 to September 2022, this multicenter analysis prospectively assessed the outcomes of patients undergoing laparoscopic repair of incisional hernias using GORE (R) SYNECOR. Outcomes included postoperative wound events, pain, recurrence, and mesh bulging. Results A total of 371 patients participated in the study. No serious adverse events or significant mesh-related complications were observed. Surgical site occurrences (SSO) were recorded in a proportion of cases, and hernia sac volume was identified as the only independent risk factor (p < 0.0001). At three months post-surgery, pain levels and impacts on daily activities were minimal. At 24 months, recurrence and mesh bulging were associated only with patients with hernia sac sizes larger than 450 cm3. Conclusion Laparoscopic incisional hernia repair using GORE (R) SYNECOR hybrid mesh demonstrated satisfactory safety and efficacy regarding wound-related events and recurrence. Minor complications were more closely related to hernia sac size rather than the surgical approach, suggesting that the laparoscopic technique may optimize outcomes, particularly in elderly, smokers, and overweight patients.