The Use of Mitek Bone Anchors for Synthetic Mesh Fixation to Repair Recalcitrant Abdominal Hernias

Introduction: Repair of recurrent abdominal hernias is a surgical challenge. These patients usually present to the plastic surgeon as a last resort for treatment. Such recalcitrant hernias cause enormous morbidity and constitute a financial burden to any health service. It is important to explore novel and potentially effective repair methods. We report on a technique using overlay prolene mesh fixed to bone by Mitek anchors. Methods: All patients who had Mitek bone anchor fixation of synthetic mesh, to repair recurrent iatrogenic abdominal hernias between 2003 and 2010 by one surgeon (C. M. M.), were retrospectively reviewed. The indications, operative details, and clinical outcomes were documented. Results: A total of 7 patients (6 females, 1 male) aged 35 to 60 (average 53) years were included in the study. The causes of herniation were previous surgical incisions (3) and abdominal flap harvests (4). They had had a median of 3 hernia repairs before referral to plastic surgery. The operations lasted for a mean of 6 hours (range, 3-10(1/2) hr). There were no major intra- and postoperative problems although 1 patient requested removal of 2 of his 8 Mitek anchors because of persistent localized pain and tenderness. After a mean follow-up of 24 months (range, 4-34), only 1 patient developed a recurrent lower abdominal bulge. Conclusion: Our single operator series demonstrated that Mitek bone anchor fixation of prosthetic mesh reinforcement of abdominal wall hernia repair is an effective treatment technique associated with a low morbidity. This method of recalcitrant hernia repair may be a useful addition to the armamentarium of the plastic surgeon.