Clinical Research Directory

Compliance-Guided Abdominal Wall Closure Strategy in Large Ventral Hernia Repair

People undergoing repair of large ventral hernias can develop breathing problems after surgery, especially around the time when the abdominal wall is closed. During closure, pressure inside the abdomen may increase and lung mechanics can worsen. This study will evaluate a structured intraoperative decision approach that uses standard anesthesia measurements of static respiratory system compliance at predefined timepoints to support the choice of abdominal wall closure technique. The main goal is to assess the rate of early postoperative respiratory failure within 72 hours after surgery.

Assessment of GORE® SYNECOR Biomaterial in Focused Patient Populations and Long-Term Application

The SYN 20-01 Study is a non-interventional, prospective, multicenter, multicohort, international, post-market clinical investigation looking into the assessment of GORE® SYNECOR Biomaterial in focused patient populations and in long-term application. Patients with ventral / incisional hernia amenable to hernia mesh repair will be enrolled into two cohorts (US and EU cohort) and followed-up over the period of 60 months.

Preoptimisation in Ventral Hernia Surgery

The study is a multicentre, single-blinded, randomised controlled trial. Ventral hernia patients with an aperture width between four and eight centimetres are randomised to either participation in a multimodal preoptimisation programme, including interventions to increase physical activity, promote weight loss, and optimise the treatment of comorbidities, or to surgery without structured preoptimisation. The primary endpoint is complications at three months postoperatively. During surgery, biopsies of skin, muscle, and fascia will be collected, along with pre- and postoperative blood samples, to analyse the molecular effects of preoptimisation, particularly in relation to collagen metabolism.

Preoperative BOTOX® Injection for Large Ventral Hernia Repair

This study is for adults who need open surgery to repair a very large abdominal (ventral) hernia. This study tests whether a one-time, image-guided injection of a medicine commonly known as "BOTOX®" (onabotulinumtoxinA) into the side abdominal muscles 3-7 weeks before surgery helps surgeons close the abdominal wall fully at the end of the operation. Closing the muscle and tissue layers ("primary fascial closure") is linked to fewer problems after surgery and better quality of life. Participants will be randomly assigned (like a coin flip) to receive either the BOTOX® medicine or a saltwater (placebo) injection. Neither patients nor the care team will know which one was given. All participants will still have their planned hernia repair in the standard way that we repair patients who are not part of the study. The study will track whether the abdomen can be closed without leaving a gap, and investigators will also look at recovery, complications, time in the ICU or on a ventilator, length of stay, pain, and quality-of-life scores. Most information will be collected during participants' hospital stay, but the investigators will continue to see how participants are doing up to 2 years after surgery. Short phone check-ins will occur before surgery, and after surgery follow-up happens around 30 days, 90 days, 1 year, and 2 years. Possible risks from the injection include temporary muscle weakness, trouble swallowing or breathing, pain or infection at the injection site, and (if CT is used for guidance) a small amount of radiation exposure. Surgery itself carries the usual risks (pain, bleeding, wound problems). Benefits are not guaranteed, but the injection may make closure easier and recovery smoother. About 188 people will take part at Cleveland Clinic.

Comparing PP and PVDF Meshes in Midline Laparotomy Closure for High-risk Colorectal Surgery. Impact on Incisional Hernia and Surgical Wound Infection.

In the latest guidelines for abdominal wall closure in emergency surgery published in the World Journal of Emergency Surgery (WJES) in 2023, no specific recommendations are made in this regard. Current literature does not provide any articles comparing these two types of mesh materials (PP vs PVDF) in emergency colorectal surgery. It is necessary to conduct a study comparing these two types of mesh materials, specifically in high-risk patients for incisional hernia and emergency colorectal surgery. This study aims to contribute to generating evidence regarding differences in wound infection incidence and potential subsequent complications, such as chronic pain. It is essential to conduct a study comparing different methods of laparotomy closure, specifically in emergency colorectal surgery, to contribute valuable evidence regarding the incidence of incisional hernia and potential subsequent complications.

Prophylactic Mesh Placement During Stoma Closure After Low Anterior Resection

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the efficacy of using polypropylene mesh for hernia prevention after stoma closure in patients with colorectal cancer and non-mesh repair. The main question it aims to answer is: can mesh help prevent hernia? Participants will be divided into 2 groups: with and without mesh using. They must be followed up for 2 years after enrollment in the study. Researchers will compare mesh and non-mesh groups to evaluate the benefits and harms of mesh using in hernia prevention.

Impact of Core Muscle Training on Incisional Hernia and Pain After Abdominal Surgery

The current practice to avoid incisional hernia, one of the most frequent complications following abdominal surgery, is to minimize core muscle activity in the postoperative phase. However, there is no evidence to support the association of core muscle activity and increased incidence of incisional hernia. On the contrary, it is likely that reduced physical activity could lead to physical deconditioning, chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP), and sarcopenia. The investigators will conduct a prospective multicentric randomized clinical trial to compare standard of care to core muscle exercises targeting the abdominal muscles immediately postsurgery. The principle hypothesis is that neither specific exercises of core muscles before and after surgery nor physical restriction alter the incidence of incisional hernias. Secondly the impact of postoperative rehabilitation on CPSP and sarcopenia will be assessed.