TACKoMesh - A randomised controlled trial comparing absorbable versus non-absorbable tack fixation in laparoscopic IPOM + repair of primary incisional hernia using post-operative pain and quality of life - Reliatack™ versus Protack™.

There is a clinical need to better understand and improve post-operative pain for patients undergoing laparoscopic repair of incisional hernia. The aim of this single-centre, double-blind, randomised controlled trial was to compare post-operative pain between absorbable and non-absorbable tack fixation in patients undergoing IPOM + repair. Patients with primary incisional hernia (size 3-10 cm), were randomised to either Reliatack™ (n = 27), an articulating-arm device deploying absorbable polymer tacks, or Protack™ (n = 36), a straight-arm device deploying permanent titanium tacks.