Clinical Research Directory

GORE® ENFORM Biomaterial Product Study

A prospective, retrospective, non-randomized, multicenter study with two independent hernia study cohorts (Ventral / Incisional Hernia Repair and Diaphragmatic / Hiatal Hernia Repair). The primary objective of this study is to collect GORE® ENFORM Biomaterial product commercial-use data on device functional performance and short-term patient experience.

Early Clinical Outcomes of High-Purity Type I Collagen as a Biologic Reinforcement in Selected Hernia Repair Scenarios

This prospective, single-arm clinical study evaluates the safety, feasibility, and early clinical outcomes of High-Purity Type I Collagen (HPTC; Surgicoll-Mesh®) when used as a biologic reinforcement in selected hernia repair scenarios where permanent synthetic mesh placement is undesirable. Outcomes focus on early postoperative safety, wound healing, and complication profiles over an 8-week follow-up period.

Suture Repair vs Mesh Repair for Incisional Hernia

The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to compare the difference in quality of life at one year postoperatively for patients undergoing incisional hernia repair with mesh versus suture repair using modern techniques. The main question it aims to answer are: • Determine if primary suture repair is non-inferior to mesh repair for incisional hernias 2-6cm with respect to quality of life using the HerQLes summary score at one year postoperatively.

Treating Emergency Laparotomy Incisions With Negative Pressure Wound Therapy

The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) in adults undergoing emergency laparotomy. The main question it aims to answer is: Does NPWT decrease wound complications? Researchers will compare it against regular dressings to see if NPWT is superior.

Comparing Polyglactin vs Polypropylene Sutures for Rectus Sheath Closure

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the outcomes of Polyglactin (Vicryl) versus Polypropylene (Prolene) sutures for rectus sheath closure in patients undergoing midline laparotomy. The study will evaluate the rates of incisional hernia, surgical site infection (SSI), wound dehiscence, chronic pain, and suture sinus formation. Participants aged 18-70 years, undergoing either elective or emergency laparotomy, will be randomly assigned to receive either Polyglactin or Polypropylene sutures. The primary outcome measure is the incidence of incisional hernia at 6 months, with secondary outcomes including SSI, wound complications, and chronic pain. The study is particularly important in the context of Pakistan, where such comparative data is limited, and aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for optimal suture material selection in general surgery.

Mesh Augmented Reinforcement of Abdominal Wall Suture Line to Limit the Rate of Incisional Hernia Occurrence

The purpose of this prospective, pivotal, multi-center, single-arm, pre-market, investigational clinical study is to assess the safety and performance of Deternia™ Self-Gripping Resorbable Mesh when used for suture line reinforcement after midline laparotomy in clean and clean-contaminated fields (CDC Classification I and II). Data from this study will be used to support market applications. The indication under investigation is reinforcement of midline laparotomy to limit the rate of incisional hernia (IH) in clean and clean-contaminated surgeries (CDC Classification I and II).

Does Preoperative Physical Activity Predict Postoperative Complications After Incisional Hernia Repair ?

Patients with abdominal wall incisional hernia often have numerous comorbidities, making management complex. To date, no study has described the relationship between preoperative physical activity and the occurrence of complications, particularly severe ones, after incisional hernia repair. The research hypothesis is that "patient fragility" related to physical inactivity and comorbidities is a poor prognostic factor for the occurrence of complications after incisional hernia repair and a source of more severe complications.

A Prospective Study of Fortiva in Hernia Repair

The goal of this study is to evaluate safety and performance of the Fortiva Tissue Matrix. Participants will complete questionnaires to measure outcomes after hernia surgery for two years.

Prophylactic Mesh Reinforcement After Open Aortic Aneurysm Repair

The goal of this retrospective observational study is to evaluate whether prophylactic mesh reinforcement during abdominal wall closure can prevent incisional hernias (IH) in patients undergoing open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does mesh reinforcement reduce the incidence of incisional hernias? * What is the frequency of associated postoperative complications? Researchers will compare the outcomes of patients who underwent mesh-reinforced closures to literature-reported outcomes for non-mesh cases to assess differences in IH incidence and complications. Participants will: * Undergo clinical follow-ups and abdominal ultrasounds to detect IH. * Complete quality-of-life questionnaires (EQ-5D and PROMIS).

oPen Versus RobotIc retrOmuscular Repair in Medium to Large Ventral Hernias

This study investigates on the effect of two different operative techniques to treat large abdominal wall defects. The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if the minimally-invasive, robotically-assisted ventral hernia repair (RVHR) leads to a better outcome than the open ventral hernia repair (OVHR). The main questions it aims to answer are: length of stay after the operation rate of complications rate of recurrence and reoperations quality of life. Participants will: Either be operated using the RVHR or OVHR will be followed up either in person or via email / phone call at day 7, day 30, 6 months, 1, 3 and 5 years after the surgery to asses the above-stated main and some more outcomes.

Ventral Hernia Improvement of Treatment and Life

The goal of this clinical trial called the VITAL study is to learn if surgery has a positive impact on the quality of life in patients with incisional or parastomal hernia. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does surgery alleviate patients from their initial problem? Does new discomfort arise after surgery? Do the symptoms worsen, and does quality of life deteriorate in patients who are not offered surgery? The project will also look at time to surgery and postoperative complications. Researchers will send questionnaires to the patients to answer. Participants will: Answer the baseline questionnaire. Answer the follow-up questionnaires at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 3 years after surgery or after the baseline questionnaire has been completed for those patients being managed conservatively with observation

Surgery with Botulinum Toxin a for Incisional Hernia

After laparotomy, treating large incisional hernias (width \>= 10cm) proves challenging due to the progressive retraction of lateral abdominal muscles and the separation of rectus muscles. This width is a significant risk factor for repair failure and recurrence. High rates of severe postoperative morbidity, up to 50%, are reported, linked to dissection extent, increased muscular tension, and abdominal pressure. Reconstructing normal anatomy by bringing muscles together may be impossible, leading to the use of complex procedures like component separation techniques (CST), involving large aponeurotomy for muscle relaxation. Intramuscular injection of botulinum toxin A (BTA) induces reversible flaccid paralysis, with potential benefits in hernia closure, known as "chemical CST." Retrospective studies suggest reduced muscle retraction and facilitated closure without specific morbidity. Prehabilitation with BTA aims to reduce surgical morbidity compared to repair and CST. The prospective evaluation of BTA's clinical benefits, including reduced postoperative morbidity, pain, successful abdominal closure, and decreased IH recurrence risk, is lacking. A prospective randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial is proposed to demonstrate BTA's efficacy. The hypothesis is that BTA injection before IH repair is more effective than a placebo in reducing postoperative morbimortality. Secondary expectations include a significant reduction in complete closure of the abdominal wall without CST.

Prevention of Incisional Hernia After Renal Transplantation

Randomized clinical trial to determine the efficacy of mesh reinforcement in laparotomy closure in renal transplantation as measured by reduction in the incidence of incisional hernia at 2 years post-transplantation.

Comparing Polypropylene Mesh and "Small Bites" Technique in Emergency Colorectal Surgery's Midline Laparotomy Closure. Study for Incisional Hernia Prevention.

The 2023 World Journal of Emergency Surgery guidelines couldn't provide a recommendation for emergency abdominal wall closure due to insufficient consensus (\>80% required). Available evidence, predominantly retrospective and heterogeneous, lacks differentiation between urgent and elective colorectal surgeries. Therefore, we advocate for a study comparing laparotomy closures in emergency colorectal surgery to contribute evidence on incisional hernia incidence and subsequent complications.

Trocar Site Incisional Hernia Prevention

Objective: To test the preventive effect of the placement of an onlay mesh versus the use of a fascial closure device at the umbilical trocar site closure in order to prevent incisional hernia after laparoscopic surgery. Methods: We designed a Two Center Randomized Controlled Trial were adult participants presenting for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy, with or without an exploration of the common bile duct will be recruited, with allocation of each of them in 2 groups (prosthesis and control). Abdominal ultrasound scan focused on aponeurosis defects at the trocar sites will be performed at 12 postoperative months. An ultrasound scan will be performed to avoid underdiagnosis bias since incisional hernia is frequently under detected by clinical examination. Relevance: The prevalence of incisional hernia after laparoscopy might be as high as 30%, due to this reason is paramount to find a better closure technique. There are few studies about incisional hernia including radiological exams in order to provide the exact prevalence of this pathology, even fewer literature exists about incisional hernia after laparoscopic procedures.

Effect of Duramesh™ on Hernia Formation After Ileostomy Closure, Randomized Controlled Trial

Diverting ileostomy is frequently utilized to protect high-risk anastomoses, though it is not shown to reduce the leak rate it may reduce the severe consequences of an anastomotic leak. Ileostomy will be reversed with restoration of continuity in majority of patients. Stoma site incisional hernias after ileostomy closure are complex hernias that can be associated with abdominal pain, discomfort, and a diminished quality of life. Duramesh™ non-absorbable polypropylene suture is a hollow core, microporous, cylindrical suture made off in polypropylene filaments that are loosely braided and bonded to each other with heat and pressure. The Aim of this study is to evaluate Duramesh™ suture vs standard closure on rates of hernia formation after ileostomy closure.

Preemer Trial - Prophylactic Mesh Versus no Mesh in the Midline Emergency Laparotomy Closure for Prevention of Incisional Hernia: a Multi Center, Double-blind, Randomized Controlled Trial

244 patients, who have an emergency midline laparotomy for any gastrointestinal reason, will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio either to mesh group with a retrorectus prophylactic self-gripping mesh or to control group with 4:1 small stitch closure by continuous monofilament suture. They will be followed up at 30 days, 2 and 5 years to detect the incidence of incisional hernia.

Risk Factors of Incisional Hernias After Emergency Midline Laparotomy

The aim of this study is to identify risk factors for the development of incisional hernias in emergency midline laparotomies.

Incisional heRnia dIgestion Sexuality

After an operation on the abdomen, some patients present with an incisional hernia(incisional hernia) which causes a permanent exteriorization of the vicera. This situation is at the origin of postural problems. Surgery which consists both of reducing pain and correcting the functional limitation and aesthetic damage helps restore normal anatomy and improve muscle tension of the wall, restore the musculoskeletal balance of the trunk and thus the cardio-respiratory and motor functions of patients. The resulting benefits on quality of life and reduction of chronic pain have been demonstrated by several studies. This study tends to better understand the functional and sexual prejudices linked to these parietal pathologies by passing questionnaires to the operated patients

Vacuum Assisted Wound Closure and Permanent On-lay Mesh-mediated Fascial Traction in Patients With Open Abdomen

Open abdomen therapy is used in trauma and non-trauma patients where the abdomen is not possible to close, or the intraabdominal conditions is not suitable for closure. In 2007, a new technique that made use of negative pressure wound therapy and mesh-mediated fascial traction for closure of the open abdomen was described from the Department of Surgery in Malmö, Sweden. With this new technique, fascial closure rates were high but long-term incisional hernia formation was seen in approximately half of the patients alive after five years. To overcome the high incisional hernia incidence, a new technique utilizing a permanent on-lay mesh for traction and reinforcement of the incision at fascial closure was developed. Hypothesis Lower incisional hernia rates in comparison with literature reported results of other techniques for open abdomen treatment, with similar complication rates. Aims To evaluate early and late clinical outcome of the novel vacuum-assisted wound closure and permanent on-lay mesh-mediated fascial traction technique. Design A prospective six-center cohort study in Sweden and Denmark. Study inclusion during a two-year period or longer to include at least 100 patients. Statistical analysis will be done by intention-to-treat and as sub-group per-protocol analysis.