Biologic Graft Augmentation of Anterior Mesh Erosion Complicated by Poor Wound Healing Secondary to Heavy Tobacco Use

(1) Background: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is common among post-menopausal women affecting more than 25% in their lifetime—with 11% having a lifetime risk of undergoing an operation for a POP. In April 2019, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) took surgical mesh for transvaginal use off the market due to safety and effectiveness concerns. This leaves colporrhaphy or colporrhaphy with bio-graft options for a POP surgical repair. (2) Case: In this report, we look at a case with anterior mesh erosion complicated by poor wound healing secondary to heavy tobacco use and how it was successfully removed and augmented with a Coloplast axis allograft dermis biological graft secured with an Anchorsure sacrospinous ligament/arcus tendineus fascia pelvis fixation device and prolene suture. (3) Results: After failing two prior surgeries to rectify the mesh erosion, a final procedure was performed using a biologic dermal graft and a double-layer closure to aid in protecting and increasing the integrity of the tissue. (4) Conclusions: Collectively, the patient and her surgeries highlight the difficult nature of complete mesh removal and how tobacco use can significantly affect the proper healing of surgical sites. The number of surgeries necessary to address the patient’s chief complaint and the resolution of her symptoms with the biologic graft supports the challenges one faces with mesh removal and poor wound healing secondary to tobacco use. This case illustrates that complicated transvaginal mesh erosion should initially be augmented with a biologic dermal graft secured via sacrospinous ligament/arcus tendineus fascia pelvis fixation and double-layer closure and not only if visible mesh removal alone fails.

A Novel Approach to Augmenting Allograft Hamstring Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstructions Utilizing a Resorbable Type I Collagen Matrix with Platelet Rich Plasma

Background. Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is one of the most common lower extremity orthopedic surgeries performed in the United States. Annually, between 100,000 and 200,000 ACL tears affect 1 in 3,000 people. The selection of autograft versus allograft for ACLR has been widely discussed in terms of risk of graft failure. Allograft reconstructions have been shown to have higher rerupture rates. One factor contributing to this risk is delayed biologic graft incorporation. Methods. A retrospective review was performed examining 14 patients who underwent an augmented quadruple-stranded hamstring allograft ACLR with a type I resorbable collagen matrix impregnated with platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Results. Within our clinical practice, the augmentation of quadruple-stranded hamstring allograft ACLR with a type I resorbable matrix impregnated with PRP has yielded good early clinical success at 2-year outcomes ( N = 14 ). Zero ACLR failures have been reported to date in this series. Conclusion. This case series offers a novel approach for soft tissue allograft ACLR augmented with a type I collagen matrix impregnated with PRP. The authors theorize that this augmentation may improve biologic graft incorporation into the host bone tunnels.

Repair of Posterior Vaginal Wall Defect Using Biologic Graft for Stage III-POP-Q Pelvic Organ Prolapse in a Patient with History of a J-Pouch

Surgical correction is considered in women with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse (POP). There is an expected increase in the prevalence of surgical correction due to an aging population within the United States. Individuals with previous colorectal surgery present a unique challenge considering the changes in pelvic anatomy. This case discusses the challenges of posterior colporrhaphy in a patient with previous, remote J-pouch surgery. In traditional posterior colporrhaphy, randomized controlled trials have not shown any benefit of graft augmentation (Maher, 2016). However, the utilization of a biologic graft to improve anatomical correction is discussed in this unique case. Short term anatomical success was obtained without immediate complications in the postoperative period. In a patient with a history of ulcerative colitis with colorectal resection and a J-pouch, surgery can be challenging due to alterations of pelvic anatomy. Modification of the standard surgical approach may be required to achieve success.

Single-Stage Repair of Contaminated Hernias Using a Novel Antibiotic-Impregnated Biologic Porcine Submucosa Tissue Matrix

Background: Single-stage repair of incisional hernias in contaminated fields has a high rate of surgical site infection (30-42%) when biologic grafts are used for repair. In an attempt to decrease this risk, a novel graft incorporating gentamicin into a biologic extracellular matrix derived from porcine small intestine submucosa was developed. Methods: This prospective, multicenter, single-arm observational study was designed to determine the incidence of surgical site infection following implantation of the device into surgical fields characterized as CDC Class II, III, or IV. Results: Twenty-four patients were enrolled, with 42% contaminated and 25% dirty surgical fields. After 12 months, 5 patients experienced 6 surgical site infections (21%) with infection involving the graft in 2 patients (8%). No grafts were explanted. Conclusions: The incorporation of gentamicin into a porcine-derived biologic graft can be achieved with no noted gentamicin toxicity and a low rate of device infection for patients undergoing single-stage repair of ventral hernia in contaminated settings. Trial Registration: The study was registered March 27, 2015 at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02401334.

Single-Stage Repair of Contaminated Hernias Using a Novel Antibiotic-Impregnated Biologic Porcine Submucosa Tissue Matrix

Background Single-stage repair of incisional hernias in contaminated fields has a high rate of surgical site infection (30-42%) when biologic grafts are used for repair. In an attempt to decrease this risk, a novel graft incorporating gentamicin into a biologic extracellular matrix derived from porcine small intestine submucosa was developed. Methods This prospective, multicenter, single-arm study was designed to determine the incidence of surgical site infection following implantation of the device into surgical fields characterized as CDC Class II, III, or IV. Results Twenty-four patients were enrolled, with 42% contaminated and 25% dirty surgical fields. After 12 months, 5 patients experienced 6 surgical site infections (21%) with infection involving the graft in 2 patients (8%). No grafts were explanted. Conclusions The incorporation of gentamicin into a porcine-derived biologic graft is feasible, with no observed gentamicin toxicity and low rate of device infection for patients undergoing single-stage repair of ventral hernia in contaminated settings. Trial Registration The study was registered March 27, 2015 at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02401334. Keywords Hernia repair; graft; abdominal wall reconstruction; contamination

Single-Stage Repair of Contaminated Hernias Using a Novel Antibiotic-Impregnated Biologic Porcine Submucosa Tissue Matrix

Background Single-stage repair of incisional hernias in contaminated fields has a high rate of surgical site infection (30-42%) when biologic grafts are used for repair. In an attempt to decrease this risk, a novel graft incorporating gentamicin into a biologic extracellular matrix derived from porcine small intestine submucosa was developed. Methods This prospective, multicenter, single-arm study was designed to determine the incidence of surgical site infection following implantation of the device into surgical fields characterized as CDC Class II, III, or IV. Results Twenty-four patients were enrolled, with 42% contaminated and 25% dirty surgical fields. After 12 months, 5 patients experienced 6 surgical site infections (21%) with infection involving the graft in 2 patients (8%). No grafts were explanted. Conclusions The incorporation of gentamicin into a porcine-derived biologic graft is feasible and safe with a low rate of device infection for patients undergoing single-stage repair of ventral hernia in contaminated settings. Trial Registration The study was registered March 27, 2015 at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02401334. Keywords Hernia repair; graft; abdominal wall reconstruction; contamination