Prophylactic mesh placement for prevention of incisional hernia after open bariatric surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Prophylactic mesh during laparotomy has been shown to be effective in preventing postoperative incisional hernia (IH) in high-risk patients. Since obesity is a risk factor for IH, we wished to determine whether mesh prevents IH in open and laparoscopic bariatric surgery patients.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of the literature with meta-analysis. Seven studies met inclusion criteria. We abstracted data regarding postoperative IH development, surgical site infection, and seroma or wound leakage and performed meta-analysis.

Results: The prophylactic mesh group had significantly decreased odds of developing IH than the standard closure group (odds ratio, .30, 95% CI, .13 to .68, P = .004). No included studies evaluated outcomes after prophylactic mesh during laparoscopic bariatric surgery.

Conclusions: Prophylactic mesh during open bariatric surgery appears to be beneficial in reducing postoperative IH without significant increasing the odds of surgical site infection or seroma or wound leakage. Higher quality studies, including those in laparoscopic patients, and cost-utility analysis, are needed to support routine use of this intervention.